Latest Blog Posts from Car Tyres and You

When should tyres be replaced?

For most of us, deciding when to replace our car’s tyres isn’t easy. The life of a tyre is not absolute and depends upon a variety of factors. Obviously the more you drive, the sooner your tyres will need replacement.

Another important decision here is whether the tyre in question needs replacement or repairing.

Here is how to decide what to do with your tyres:

 

1. Periodic inspection

Every other fortnight keep an eye on your tyre’s condition. If you are checking your tyre pressures regulalrly, look for cuts, low tread, or any other damage. Tyre inspection is never usually the highlight of one’s day so it is often overlooked. But once it’s a habit, it can be life saving at times.

 

2. The Tread

A new tyre has anywhere between 6-12mm of tread depth to provide the best grip regardless of the road condition. However, during the course of use, the tyre treads become shallow because of wear and tear. Worn out tyres are vulnerable to slips and skids especially in wet conditions, thus, are a risk.

Every new tyre comes with treadwear indicators which are usually come in contact with the road at 1.6mm of tread left. If the treadwear indicators are visible on your tyres it is best to replace them.

The coin test is a popular test to check a tyre’s tread depth. If the coin can be properly inserted, the condition of the tyre is good. Otherwise, it needs to be replaced. 

The test goes like this: if you can stick an 5 cent piece in between the tread with the Queen’s head covered, the tyre is fine. However, if Lincoln’s head is clearly visible, the tyre needs replacement.

 

3. The shape

Tyres sometime develop bulges over its surface. These are the signs of a potential blow out. Tyre blow outs do occur so if your car’s tyres are showing such signs, don’t drive it unless you show it to a tyre expert and get it fixed if needed.

 

4. Foreign objects

Many things can get stuck in your tyre. It may be a nail, pointed stone, or a trace of harsh chemical. If you don’t remove them, they may penetrate the surface blowing your tyre. To avoid the situation of flat tyres in middle of a trip, remove any such element before commencing a trip.

Conclusion:

Without a doubt, a regular examination of your car’s tyre for discrepancy can save you many dollars. It is much wiser to not to drive a car after finding the tyres to be bulged, damaged or severely worn out than to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. Remember tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the roads. Your whole safety lies on that contact.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS to run on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

The new 911 GT3 RSPilot Sport Cup 2, the latest generation of road-legal track tyres specially designed for ultra-high performance cars designed by Michelin, has bagged another high profile member to its elite list of cars after

  • Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Edition,
  • Ferrari 458 Speciale, and
  • Porsche 918 Spider.

This time it’s the new generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS, another Porsche in the list after 918 Spider.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

With the engine, when pushed to its limit, capable of delivering 500 HP of power at 8250 rpm, 0 - 100 km/h in 3.3 s, and the top speed of 310 km/h, Porsche 911 GT3 RS is definitely not short of a beast, a beast that requires the best tyres to carry it around.

That’s why Porsche for the 911 GT3 RS has chosen MICHELIN’s ultra-high performance tyre—Pilot Sport Cup 2, as the fitment for the launch.

The development

After the success of Pilot Sport Cup 2 on Porsche 918 Spider, Porsche were already considering Michelin for the new generation 911 GT3 RS. So the tyres fitted on the 918 Spyder were developed and tweaked to suit the physiognomies as mandated by Porsche engineers for the track-focused GT3 RS.

Pilot Sport Cup 2

Blurring the line between motorsport and road tyres, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 is designed to deliver the same performance on the track as well as road. Porsche’s confidence in this tyre’s performance is unmistakably demonstrated by the fact that it is being already used in some of the most successful Porsches: 918 Spyder, Cayman GT4 and, now, 911 GT3.

MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres offer 50% more laps and faster lap times thanks to technologies from Endurance Competition.

The Design and the modification for the 911 GT3 RS

The GT3, being principally a track car, the size of the tyre’s contact patch had to be increased. Michelin, on consultation with Porsche engineers, decided to increase the contact by 20% and 18% for the front and the rear tyres respectively. The overall increase in ground contact the outright grip levels increased substantially, improving the track-focused car’s dynamic handling characteristics.

MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres offer 50% more laps and faster lap times thanks to technologies from Endurance Competition even on a wet track.

The technology

4 technologies are behind the performance, success and looks of this tyre.

Bi-Compound Technology

  1. Distribution of two dissimilar compounds between the exterior and interior parts of the tyre treads.

Track Longevity technology

  1. Reinforced external shoulder for upgraded strength / track longevity ensures gentler wear of the tyre’s outer shoulder.

Deeper tread depth

  1. 20% deeper tread depth for fine grip in wet conditions.

MICHELIN velvet sidewall

  1. MICHELIN velvet sidewall gives the exceptional visual appearance of exceptional sport vehicle.

Is the industry moving towards larger tyres?

With every top-of-the-range premium hatch and sedan equipped with 16” rims from new, larger tyres are slowly replacing the old school 13” and 14” tyres. The automotive industry is making a shift towards larger, safer, and faster tyres.

There was a time when 14” tyres were a big deal. Nowadays, finding 16” even 17” tyres on a regular hatch is a common. This is because newer technologies enable cars to perform better and the increased handling and stability that comes with larger tyres ensures a safer car. Today’s tyres are lightweight, versatile, robust, and long lasting.

One of the major advantages of wide tyres is their stability at high speeds. Vehicles equipped with wide tyres can safely handle higher speeds as they have a higher load and speed ratings than smaller tyres. Comfort is another advantage of wider tyres.

The upsides

Wide tyres mean more contact with the road, better traction and rolling resistance. A wider tyre increases the riders comfort to an extent. Wide tyres will displace the weight better across all tyres giving you better on road handling. On the other hand, narrow tyres are unstable at high speeds and due to less traction area, they are less safe to drive on a wet surface.

The downsides

Two of the biggest hurdles with wide tyres are high cost and mileage. Because of the bigger size and high quality manufacturing involved, wide tyres cost significantly more than narrow tyres. But if you count its benefits, cost is hardly a problem for a potential buyer.

However, cost can be a big factor for those upgrading to wide tyres from narrow ones. As to accommodate bigger tyres, you may also need to upgrade the rim.

As wide tyres weigh more, they possess a greater rotational inertia. Higher inertia means more torque to move them. Thus, lower car mileage. In addition, the added friction will further decrease the mileage.

Pirelli Noise Cancelling System, a New Take On Reducing In-Cabin Noise

PNCS-pircelliDo you hate that persistent noise in your car while driving? Then Pirelli has an answer with Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS). The system is capable of reducing in cabin noise by 2-3dB giving you a quiet and comfortable experience inside, regardless of the conditions outside.

One of the major sources of a car’s in-cabin noise-- vibration of the tyre structure produced by its traction on the road—is decreased with Pirelli’s Noise Cancelling System. The PNCS is implemented by means of a spongy material that is applied inside the tyre’s surface. The added cushion on the tyres decreases cabin noise.

Pirelli claim that apart from less road noise, there is hardly any difference between the results delivered by PNCS and the standard tyre. The PNCS technology, as such, is compatible with any vehicle depending on the tyre size and markings and doesn’t need dedicated rims for safety.

Repairing PNCS Tyres is not the same as repairing a standard tyre. The removal of the sponge to allow inspection of the tyre is required. With the sponge removed, the tyre can be repaired like any standard tyre. The repairs can be performed at any Pirelli authorised service centre or a third party service centre. However, Pirelli does not assume any responsibility for repairs performed by third parties.

Pirelli’s Noise Cancelling System is a unique innovation in tyre technology. The car industry is already making significant progress in decreasing in-cabin noise. With PNCS acting as an extra layer of isolation, the days are not far away when noise will no longer be a nuisance for car commuters. Only time will tell how successful it will be.

When safety is your first priority “Tyre care” is mandatory!

Most car owners are fascinated by the flashy exteriors and luxurious interiors; but often evade the most important part, “the tyres.” Tyre maintenance is crucial not just for your car, but for your own safety as well. Proper tyre maintenance is actually what will help you drive safely on the road.

Tyres are the only part of your car that are constantly subjected to wear and tear. Why? Since they are constantly in touch with all types of roads; bumpy roads, uneven roads, muddy and dirty ones; roads with innumerable pot holes, speed breakers, broken glasses and the list is endless. Therefore, when you are concerned about a safe drive; keeping your tyres in shape becomes a necessity.

One of the most important seasons when you actually need to take good care of your tyres is during winter, since wet and greasy roads cause many accidents during this time. You may be more inclined to stay indoors in the cold and wet times of the year but any small drive can be hazardous in wet and windy conditions. Slippery road surfaces, water-logging, pot-holes, extremely bad roads, mud etc. are some of the reasons that tyres struggle and extra care should be taken. While these conditions cannot be avoided, taking good care of your tyres and replacing them whenever necessary is surely in your hands! So why take the risk?

  • One of the first and foremost requirements is to keep your tyres clean; which will not take up much of your time and money.
  • The second best thing that you can do is make it a habit to check your tyres regularly to see that they are correctly inflated at all times; but never over-inflated. A deflated tyre is more prone to punctures.
  • The tread depth should be good to avoid skidding over slippery roads
  • Always check your spare tyre pressure regularly to avoid being stranded in an emergency

Breakdowns, punctures and accidents can easily be avoided if we are a little careful with our car tyres!

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