Tires: Safety & comfort in driving

by Cecile de Veyra (Managing Editor)

Image source: Shutterstock

Car tires make a lot of difference. They not only support the weight of the vehicle but also provide traction when accelerating and braking, act as shock absorbers and contribute to fuel economy. They do the hard work of ensuring safe driving, especially in wet, cold and hot weather conditions. As such, they can be considered the most important car safety feature, according to Claire Nowak in an article on rd.com and quoting Chris Welty of Bridgestone Tires, “it depends on the tire, not the car.” Michelin has another way of putting it: It's the tires that stop the car.

There are many types of tires, classified by performance needed based on typical weather driving and road conditions where they are used and the target driving experience. They differ in tread or contact area and in pattern, size and other structural elements.

According to online resource The Engineers Post, under the standard category are all-season, touring, performance, summer, and track and competition variants. As the name suggests, all-season tires are for comfortable and safe use on highways year-round. Touring tires have a wider tread, larger road contact and higher speed ratings than their all-season counterparts, but Tire Reviews and More says that “driving on light snow or slush covered roads can be an issue.” In bigger sizes, performance tires have better grip on wet roads and a higher speed capability than touring versions. They can be found in a range of vehicles, including sports and luxury models. Summer tires are for wet and dry conditions alike but understandably will not perform well on roads with snow, sleet and slush. Track and competition tires are designed for racing and are definitely an expensive choice for everyday driving.

For trucks and SUVs, more robust or aggressive tires fit the bill because of the heavier load supported and often off-road use. Highway, all-terrain, mud-terrain, all-purpose or trail, ribbed and sport truck types make up this category. The others fall under the special class, which includes winter, temporary, trailer, ATV/UTV, and lawn and garden tires. Golf car tires have their own range – turf, all-terrain and off-road kinds.

As if these choices were not complicated enough, there are also alphanumeric codes to contend with in tire sizes, with P215/60R16 94T an example. Here’s what they mean. The letter P stands for passenger, with others having an LT prefix for light truck. The first number refers to the width in millimeters and 60 to the aspect ratio or the height in relation to width. R is for radial construction, while D means diagonal or bias ply. The number 16 is the rim diameter in inches and the next number the load index in pounds. The last letter is the speed rating. According to US-based one-stop shop Tire Outlet, T is up to 118mph or 189.9kph, H up to 130mph or 209.2kph and ZR or Z above 168mph or 270.3kph.

So, what are tires made of? The US Tire Manufacturers Association says they have natural rubber used in combination with synthetic rubber, which may be butadiene, styrene butadiene or halogenated polyisobutylene. Steel wire is in tire belts and beads. This is also the material in plies in truck tires, while reinforcements in passenger tires are usually polyester, rayon, nylon and aramid cord fabrics. Fillers include carbon black and silica derived from sand. Antioxidants, antiozonants, and sulphur and zinc oxide curing ingredients are also in the composition.

Tread blocks

Company: Maxspeed Group Co. Ltd

Maxspeed offers the model Car Tires-094O, which has an inner tube and tread blocks for high traction. This car tire is 100 percent inspected and its warranty coverage is for two years. Price is $18.33 to $18.50. The supplier requires an order of at least 1,000 pieces. Lead time is 15 to 25 days.

Inquire now

Solid radial

Company: Jinjiang Jiaxing Co.

This all-terrain solid radial tire from Jinjiang Jiaxing, Car Tires-089Z, is available in sizes of 155/70, R13 195/55, R15 195/60, R15 195/65, R15 185/65 and R15 205/55-R16. Diameter is 16 to 20 inches and width 205 to 225mm. Price is $12.20. Order quantity should be at least 500 pieces. Lead time is between 15 and 25 days.

Inquire now

387kg maximum load

Company: Xuzhou Full Ocean Tyre Ltd

The model 155/65-r14 Tires from Xuzhou Full Ocean has a section width of 157mm and outer diameter of 558mm. It can handle a maximum load of 387kg. Recommended pressure is 350kPa. This $20 tire has an MOQ of 20 pieces. Lead time is seven to 25 days.

Inquire now

6-ply vacuum

Company: Jinjiang Jiaxing Group Co. Ltd

Weighing 5kg, the Car Tires-016T from Jinjiang Jiaxing Group is a six-ply vacuum type with a maximum atmospheric pressure of 300kPa and load of up to 387kg.  It is available in 135/90-10 and 4.50-10 versions. Price is $141. MOQ is 1,000 pieces and lead time 15 to 25 days.

Inquire now

Radial construction

Company: Shandong Huasheng Rubber Group Ltd

For a minimum order of one 40-foot containerload of mixed sizes, Shandong Huasheng can ship the RS21-62 car tire in 15 to 30 days. Of radial construction, it comes in a range of sizes, load index and speed range.

Inquire now

All-season, airless

Company: Jinjiang Jiaxing Shoes & Garments Co. Ltd

The Car Tires-087V from Jinjiang Jiaxing Shoes & Garments is a solid or airless all-season type, with warranty coverage for 10,000km. Sizes available are 175/65R14, 185/65R15 and 215/55R16. Each is priced $59.92 to $60. An order of at least 1,000 pieces is required. Lead time is 15 to 25 days.

Inquire now