Of tyres and concrete roads

No matter how powerful your engine, it is tyres that keep you glued to Mother Earth, providing straight line stability. A worn-out tyre will make your car wander all over the road. With the new brand of high-speed cars on the roads, correct tyres are more important. Earlier, the roads were bitumen-tar, while now there are concrete roads.

There is a vast difference between a concrete road and a bitumen-tar road. The surface of cement concrete is harder and rougher and, consequently, offers more rolling resistance. This means greater friction which builds up heat in the tyre. This will happen on a long journey at sustained high speed like on the Yamuna Expressway.

There have been many cases of accidents due to tyres blow-out. An in-depth analysis would help determine the real cause. The spare wheel should be in excellent shape. After a blow out, you will finish the rest of your journey on this tyre. Tyre pressure should be checked hours before the long high-speed journey. Nitrogen, an inert gas, is the right way to inflate tyres these days so that they need to be checked only once every four to six months. Nitrogen won't heat up. Correct tyre pressure is crucial. Under inflation and the tyre presents a wider foot print, with more chance of heat up. It is the nylon threads in the radial tyres that heat up. Some tyres have steel bands. They will heat up and retain the heat. Over inflation means a lesser-than-recommended foot print. This results in the loss of control on corners, steering and braking. When you buy a new tyre, check the information printed on the side wall and the date of manufacture. It should not be more than three months old. Tyres too have a shelf life.

On the plus side, concrete-cement roads are very long lasting. They are virtually monsoon proof and there are no pot holes. The minus side is they are noisier, they will wear out tyres faster.

Happy Motoring!

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