The 11 types of tires: Which one to choose?
There are a lot of them; in fact, we could almost say that “there are as many types of tires as possible needs on the road” (there are as many types of tires as possible on the road”), and each one has unique dimensions and qualities that set it apart from the others.
Before they can be mounted, all of them, regardless of the type, must first be tested to ensure that they are compatible with the vehicle to be attached.
A series of approved and equivalent measurements that cannot exceed a variation of 3% (either up or down) on the total diameter of the tire-rim assembly of the car series.
This variation can occur either in the vertical or horizontal direction.
This way, we can ensure that we do not mismatch any aspects, such as the accurate measurement of the speedometer, and that we will not be “knocked down” at the beginning of the ITV.
Currently, virtually all tires used on our roadways are tubeless and of the radial type.
As we will see in the article that we will look at today, there are several different kinds of tires that we can mount on our vehicles, with summer tires being the most common type used in our country.
Because the tires are one of the most critical elements in terms of the active safety of our vehicle, as stated in the header of this post, we need to make sure that when we buy tires, we take into account several different factors.
These include the fact that the tires are safe (in terms of grip, noise, and comfort), do not pollute, and save fuel.
Because of this, there are many different kinds of tires, each of which is classified according to its construction characteristics.
These characteristics include the tread, the shape of the track, the season in which they are designed to be used, and the kind of activity (driving) they are intended for.
How exactly do you categorize tires?
Before settling on a particular brand, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the various kinds of tires and the qualities associated with each one.
You have probably become familiar with the majority of them, but you likely have a limited understanding of the positive qualities that they share.
Because you have a better experience with the different kinds of tires, you will be able to select the brand and model of tire most suitable for your driving style and the conditions you encounter while on the road.
In addition, these tires will provide you with a higher level of protection while you are behind the wheel and an increased level of comfort and enjoyment while driving.
The following is a list, without further ado, of the ten different kinds of tires used on our roads.
A selection of tires suited to the current season.
The first categories of tires are broken down based on the time of year, precisely, each season’s climatic conditions.
1. Summer tires
Because the rubber is made to have more excellent adhesion on asphalt surfaces when subjected to high temperatures, these are primarily intended for use during the summer and other times when temperatures are high.
In addition, they are made to have a lower rolling resistance so that the driving experience can be more dynamic.
When used in conditions where there is snow or ice, these tires lose some of their effectiveness.
Despite this, we can say that they are appropriate for use in light to moderate rain conditions because they are designed for dry asphalt and mild temperatures.
2. Winter tires
During the winter months, when temperatures are at their lowest, drivers are strongly advised to equip their vehicles with winter tires for increased safety.
These tires have the renowned M+S designation and are the most appropriate for driving in the snow because they eliminate the need for chains and the discomfort associated with installing them.
They should also be used when ice, rain, and temperatures are lower than eight degrees Fahrenheit.
This is because if we use them in these conditions but with higher temperatures, they will wear out earlier than they should.
The fact that they are constructed out of a softer compound and have some sheets on the tread that make the grip on the asphalt more severe and less slippery is one of their primary distinguishing characteristics.
To summarize, they are superior to chains and significantly more comfortable to work with.
3. Tires designed for use in any weather condition
Each of the seasons can be used both in summer and winter, as their name suggests, because they are valid for both seasons.
After conducting tests, it has become clear that they perform significantly better in icy conditions than summer tires.
Even though they can be used in various shapes, they will never be able to match the performance of summer or winter tires in their intended environments.
Their application will be wholly determined by the kind of nation we currently reside in.
We recommend employing it in regions with climates in which the average annual temperature is not overly extreme and remains consistent throughout the year; Spain is an excellent example of such a region.
The profile arranges tires
When discussing the aspect ratio of a tire, which is referred to as the profile of the tire, one can divide tires into two categories: high profile and low profile.
The tire’s width determines these categories and the proportion of the tire made up of rubber.
4. Low profile tires for the sport driver
Tires with a low profile have a protective rim flange surrounding the tire.
These tires have less drift, which translates into better precision when the driver takes a corner. As a result, these tires are the tire of choice for people passionate about sporty driving.
Why? Because they offer superior wet traction as well as enhanced stopping power.
Compared to high-profile tires, these tires generate significantly less heat, resulting in substantially less wear over time.
However, because of their low profile and the fact that they are geared toward sporty driving, their duration is shorter.
5. high profile tires for conventional drivers (conventional driver)
High-profile tires, as opposed to low-profile tires, are designed to provide a higher level of comfort and significantly reduced sporty driving.
Because these tires have a considerably greater volume of air and a greater capacity for absorption than low-profile tires, they are less susceptible to damage from uneven terrains, such as potholes or curbs.
To put it another way, high-profile tires significantly reduce the impact felt by the vehicle compared to low-profile tires.
Because marketing has made people believe that being sporty is synonymous with elegance, low-profile tires are currently all the rage.
The responsibility of associating increased visibility of the tire with exclusiveness has fallen on the shoulders of the various brands.
They have the consumer drive on low-profile tires for posture while concealing that these tires are significantly more susceptible to the small daily shocks they experience.
Tires according to the treads on their tires
Tire treads directly impact a vehicle’s performance; consequently, a vehicle’s performance can be optimized for a specific kind of environment based on its tread pattern.
6. Tires with symmetric tread patterns
To further clarify, symmetric tires have a tread pattern that is identical on both sides, which means that the tread profile is the same on the inside as on the outside of the tire.
Most compact and urban automobiles are outfitted with this tire type.
The quality-to-price ratio of symmetric tires is optimal because they are more affordable than asymmetric or directional tires and provide excellent grip and stability.
The problem with them is that they perform poorly in the rain, and over the years, they have been phased out of production because they cannot meet the performance requirements of sports cars (for example).
7. Tires that are asymmetrical
In addition to enhancing the overall quality of the driving experience, asymmetric tires feature distinct patterns on the inside and the outside of the tire, as one might have guessed, making it possible to compress and optimize the various components of the wheel more effectively.
The rubber blocks on the outside of the vehicle are more comprehensive than the symmetrical ones, which allows for improved adhesion to the asphalt when the car is cornering.
On the other hand, the interior features a tread pattern in the shape of a tube, which helps to drain water when driving on wet roads.
No matter what category a vehicle falls into, it will have this particular brand and model of tire.
8. Tires with directional arrows
Because the tread pattern on these tires is either in the shape of a “V” or a hand, they are straightforward to recognize.
Its primary purpose is to remove as much water from the tire as quickly as possible, as high-speed driving can cause significant amounts of water to become trapped in the tire’s treads.
Its superior wet control is undoubtedly its most advantageous feature, as it significantly reduces the likelihood of aquaplaning.
On the other hand, because of the softer rubber used in the wheel structure, their durability is lower than that of different types of tires, and their noise level is slightly higher than that of other tires.
rims and tires according to their respective interiors
Under the rubber of certain types of tires are hidden a few pleasant surprises that may help you avoid getting into some trouble; let’s take a look at them.
9. Tires that are resistant to punctures
Puncture-proof tires, also known as runflats, live up to their name because they are specially designed with reinforcements inside.
These reinforcements allow the rider to continue traveling at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour even when the tire is deflated and there is no air pressure.
That is to say; they are the tires that can provide you with the necessary oxygen to reach a service station or the closest workshop while still allowing you to maintain control of the vehicle.
Their mode of operation is highly straightforward: in the event of a puncture, the run-flat will let out the air and gradually lose pressure over time, all while supporting the weight of the vehicle without deforming the tire and ensuring that the driver retains complete command of the car at all times.
10. Tires that do not use air
It is the type of tire that conforms perfectly to any irregularities in the road surface, does not get punctures, and does not require routine maintenance.
This is a very advanced technology primarily utilized for agricultural and construction vehicles; however, due to its high cost, it is not widely used.
Even though they are sometimes installed on off-road vehicles designed to travel over extremely bumpy terrain, their high cost remains a significant limitation in most situations.
11. Ecological tires
Lately (and not for less), prevalent trends have circulated based on the care of the environment, which has increased the use of these tires.
During the manufacturing process, they stand out due to the unique compounds that they use and the tread pattern that they use, both of which improve rolling resistance and lengthen the tire’s useful life.
This method is used to reduce gasoline consumption and the emissions of pollutant gases that are harmful to our planet to the greatest extent possible.
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