Car tyres remain the sole contact between the vehicle and the road. So, picking the right car tyre is vital to safe and secure driving. Moreover, fitting your car with the right tyre increases overall vehicle efficiency and performance, improving comfort as well.

Tyres explained in brief

Made of vulcanized rubber, and inflated with pressurized air, tyres support the weight of the car. Vulcanized rubber is a process by which rubber is made incredibly durable and able to withstand extreme conditions of heat and cold.

Friction or grip formed between the patch of rubber tyre in contact with the road and the vehicle makes certain the driver is in complete control of the car. About 85 percent of the weight of a car is supported by air, with the remaining 15 percent held up by the tyres. A car that is fitted with tyres inflated to the right pressure is a car that is highly responsive to the changes in direction and speed made by the driver.

Tyre safety and regulations

Consistent tyre inspections and maintenance checks enable long-lasting tyres that are well within legal parameters. Basic road traffic rules and laws demand all tyres fitted on your car adhere to certain requirements. Listed below are a few tyre regulations.

• All tyres fitted on the vehicle should be in road-worthy physical condition.
• Every tyre on the car must be compatible with the others.
• All tyres should be inflated to and maintained to the recommended or prescribed vehicle manufacturer’s tyre pressure requirements.
• Tread depth must at all times be retained above the legal minimum, for both passenger and carrier vehicles.

Stay safe and within the law. Always ensure your car tyres are in excellent condition and inflated to the required psi. Apart from being crucial to safe driving, tyre grip has a major impact on overall fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Tyre grip is vital to controlled driving in all weather conditions. Compromising on the grip of a single tyre on your car, equates to loss of stability and control of the entire vehicle.

Tyre functions

Tyres play a crucial role in the proper functioning of a car. They cover four basic functions:

• Load support – Tyres support the weight and load of the car, whether loaded with goods or passengers.

• Direction – Car tyres respond to the slightest change of direction applied by the driver via the steering wheel. Friction between the tyres and the road, keeps the car moving straight or in whichever direction the driver chooses.

• Shock absorption – Tyres absorb large amounts of shock as vehicles drive into road bumps, and ditches. Tyre shock absorption is most effective at slower speeds.

• Traction –Speed of acceleration and braking largely depend on the state and grip of your car tyres.

Understanding your tyres better and the vital role they play as part of your car will help you keep them in top condition.