Welcome to Tyres- Wakefield ( Express Tyres & Auto Centre ) Garage services for Wakefield and West Yorkshire We are based in Ossett, just outside Wakefield and only 2 minutes from Junction 40 of the M1. From our purpose built garage we offer a full and comprehensive range of motoring services from MOT testing, tyres, exhausts, brakes and batteries to servicing. We will beat any genuine quote.
The Components of a Tyre
Tyres are one of the very important components in a car. Even if the engine is powerful and all the other parts of the car are in good shape, if the tyres are not proper, all that efficiency would be ultimately wasted. So it is extremely essential for the tyres to be well designed and fit properly for the car to have maximum efficiency. The mileage that the car produces also depends a lot on the design of the tyres. The amount of air pressure in the tyres is also an important aspect that determines the maximum efficiency output of the car. The tyres therefore play a crucial role in the efficiency and performance of a car, or any other vehicle for that matter.
The tyres are made up of a lot of various different components that provide strength and stability to the wheels. The inner edges of the tyres which make contact with the rim of the wheel are lined with high strength steel cables which are coated with rubber. This component is called the Bead, and is responsible for enabling the tyre to sit firmly on the wheel rim without slipping. The bead is also responsible for handling the forces that are applied on the tyres when they are installed on the wheel rim using tyre mounting machines. There are two bands of beads, one on the inner and the other on the outer rim of the tyre.
Connecting the two bands of beads is the body ply, which is the inner-most layer of the tyre. The ply fabric is usually made of polyester cord and it is the layer which makes direct contact with the rubber tube which fits inside the tyre. The cords in the ply fabric normally run perpendicular to the direction of the tread. There is a coating of rubber over the plies to make them adhere well to the other components of the tyre and to provide a good seal for the air inside the tyre.
The strength of a tyre is often described in terms of the number of layers of plies present in the tyre. Most often, regular car tyres have two plies in them. On the other hand, you will find 30 plies or more in a large commercial airline jet. In some tyres used for high speed cars, one or two layers of plies are added just below the tread to offer greater support and to hold all the components in place. These are known as cap plies, and are optional features not seen in regular tyres. Additionally, steel belts are added just under the tread in steel-belted radial tyres to provide puncture resistance to the tyres. The steel belts also help the tyres make better contact with the road surface.
The sidewalls of the tyre provide the continuity between the tread and the beads of the tyre. They also provide lateral stability to the tyre and help prevent the air inside the tyre from escaping.
All these components are kept in place and then merged together in a tyre building machine. At this point, all the components are loosely fitted together and the tyre is called a green tyre. This is then passed into a curing machine for a process known as vulcanizing. Heat is applied to the green tyre and the tread patterns are moulded on the surface of the tyre. All the various components of the tyre are also bonded together due to the application of heat. The tyre then goes for some finishing procedures and is then ready for use.
Written by and Thanks to Dean Taylor
Tyres are a very vital component of a car. Irrespective of how good and powerful the engine is, if the tyres are not good, the overall efficiency of the vehicle is affected. It is important that tyres are of good quality and perfectly designed for the full potential of the car to be realized. The type of tyres or design also affects the mileage of the car. Similarly, the air pressures maintained in the tubes will aid the performance of the car. Therefore, the tyres are a crucial component for any vehicle that needs to perform with maximum efficiency.
Different components that provide good stability and great strength to the wheels are used to make up the tyres. High strength steel cables line the inner edges of the tyres, which make contact with the rim of the wheel and these are coated with rubber. It is this “Bead” that is responsible for letting the tyres sit firmly on the wheel rim, so that it does not slip. Apart from this, the bead handles the forces applied on the tyres during installation on the wheel rim and this is done with tyre mounting machines. The two bands of beads run along the inner and outer rim of the tyre.
The body-ply, which is the inner-most layer of the tyres, connects the two bands of bead. There is a layer of ply fabric that is generally made of polyester cord, which makes contact with the tube, made of rubber, fitted inside the tyres. These cords can be seen running perpendicular to the line of the treads. A coating of rubber is applied over the plies and adhered well to the various parts of the tyres and provides a perfect seal for the air that is inside the tyres.
The numbers of layers of plies used determine the strength of the tyres. Generally, all regular cars have two plies in them, whereas a large commercial jet airline can have as many as 30 plies or more. Some of the high speed cars are fitted with one or two layers of plies below the tread, so that it is gives the car additional support as well as ensures that all the components are fitted firmly in place. This is an optional feature known as cap flies, which are not seen in normal tyres. Steel-belted radial tyres are additionally fitted with steel belts under the tread, so that they are puncture resistant. Better contact with the road surface results with the additional steel belts.
Continuity is provided between the beads and treads with the sidewall tyres, which also prevent air from escaping from inside the tyres, while providing lateral stability.
All these components are kept in place and then merged together in a tyre building machine. At this point, all the components are loosely fitted together and the tyre is called a green tyre. This is then passed into a curing machine for a process known as vulcanizing. Heat is applied to the green tyre and the tread patterns are moulded on the surface of the tyre. All the various components of the tyre are also bonded together due to the application of heat. The tyre then goes for some finishing procedures and is then ready for use.
The term “part worn tyres” refers to tyres that have been on the road for several thousands of kilometers already. These tyres generally have half the percentage of grip when compared to new tyres. Basically when you refer to tyres that are part worn, you are talking about “used tyres.”
Make a conscientious decision when you wish to purchase these types of tyres. It will be necessary to check out if the previous owner was involved in any type of accident. You could check about this as even though the tyres look like perfectly re-conditioned ones, they may have some flaws, which are not usually discernible on the surface.
Used tyres are generally less expensive than new tyres, because they are part worn. People prefer to go in for these types of tyres due to the tremendous saving in the price difference. The amount of money saved can help them invest in other components that are equally necessary to keep the car in running condition. Though Tyre Companies warn people about the dangers of buying used tyres, there are pros and cons to each side of the deal, which has to be factored in including the issues on legality.
The trading office maintains a stand that drivers should be aware of the hazards of buying these tyres before they make the investment. It is then up to the driver to make the choice of maintain safety by choosing tyres that are part worn instead of brand new tyres, which conforms to all the standard regulations of road safety.
If you do decide to go in for second-hand tyres, ask for a demo of the tyres prior to fitting them in place in your car. Take time to observe and inspect the tyres at close quarters. Ensure that there are no visible dents or bumps that protrude from them. Check signs of wear and tear on the used tyres and be convinced that they are not looking too old. You should positively refrain from spending your money on such tyres.
What are the legalities of using second hand tyres?
These types of tyres are sold over the world. It is up to you to look out for the following flaws when you plan to buy part worn tyres:
If The Tyres Are Worn Out Beyond Repair
Look for official identification marks on the used tyres. You have to be able to check:
We look for every opportunity to cut costs, wherever we can and this hold good when it comes to maintaining our vehicles too. We regularly service and repair the vehicles to ensure that they last longer, run safely and save on further expenses, which come about due to negligence and improper caring, for the motor vehicle.
Recently, prestigious manufacturers of cars have invented the concept of new run flat tyres and have installed them in their newer models. The concept of using run flat tyres is that one can continue to drive the car, even after a blowout to the nearest service station without damaging the car and complete the necessary repairs without wasting much time.
According to observations and reports, there are different versions of the reliability and usage of these run flat tyres by drivers who have used cars fitted with these types of tyres.
The Pros of using Run Flat Tyres:
- A blowout on the freeway can be highly dangerous, when one is driving at a very high speed. However, if one installs run flat tyres, they will be able to drive the car to the nearest service point, which could be anywhere from 50 to 100 km and have the tyres repaired to get back on the road again.
- You can avoid carrying spares, if you invest in run flat tyres to reduce costs of replacing tyres every time there is a blowout and you have the added advantage of more boot space for your luggage, as you do not have to store the spare tyres. Modern technology is so advanced you will probably be able to reduce costs, when you find that you get more mileage and better value by purchasing longer lasting tyres.
Drivers of these vehicles have however noticed several flaws with using run flat tyres. They expose the following cons:
- It was observed that when they travelled nearly 50 km to find a service station after experiencing a blow out, it was only to note that they were unable to repair the run flat tyre, as the station was not equipped to repair this kind of tyre and they ended up purchasing a new tyre.
- The wheel rim was damaged when they tried driving the car as per the manufacturer’s recommendation for nearly 100 km. Therefore, they had to replace not only the tyre, but also the wheel. The cost rose tremendously and the motoring association was criticized severely because of this.
- Other drivers found that even though they travelled for about 100 km, they were unable to reach a service station and had to be towed at considerable extra expense apart from the actual repair costs.
- Therefore, fitting run flat tyres can be an expensive proposition. The result of a shorter lifespan, which can be anywhere from 20,000 to about 40,000 km makes the purchase of run flat tyres a debatable option.
It is difficult to make the right decision on procuring these types of run flat tyres and fitting them on your car. Run flat tyres may only escalate costs of maintaining and running the car.
You often hear mechanics, advising people to be aware of how important the purchasing of the right tyres is for their motor vehicle. They are inadvertently informing you that even though you purchase the most expensive car in the world, if the tyres are not of the best quality, you could be endangering the running of your vehicle. On the other hand, if you owned an old battered down vehicle, but fitted the best tyres available in the market, you could be owning a car that could work wonders for you. With the advancement of modern technologies, you are now able to get some fantastic offers, if you take the time to shop around for discount tyres.
You could be lucky to find cheap tyres, if you spent time looking around in the garages and various motor shops for discounts and great deals on renowned brands at low prices. Virtual shopping is brought home to the average individual, when you can sit at home in front of the computer and scour the internet, looking at various commercial sites and on-line shops. You are currently able to figure out the best deals and make comparative listings before making a final decision in keeping with your budget. Once you have made up your mind to look at discount tyres, make out a checklist and look for factors that should meet with your car’s requirements according to the instructions. You should not forget to inspect the rating recommended for load, as well as note the requirements for speed index as per the original instructions.
At no time, should these factors be less than the existing conditions prevalent with your vehicle. For people who are unaware of what these terms mean speed index refers to the highest speed you can drive your car in keeping with the recommendations of the manufacturers, while the load factor is the rating suggested for the amount of weight the tyre is capable of carrying according to the manufacturers.
Ideally, if every person was able to enter a car workshop and produce their wallet to purchase the costliest tyres, they would benefit, but unfortunately, this is not possible for everyone to do. The average consumer needs to make a careful choice with restrictions on his budget. Therefore, a consumer will go to great lengths to check out advertisements on T.V, read various magazines and newspapers, before finally choosing a tyre at the best and most discounted price.
You can find many companies and garages, if you research well, offering good discounts and deals. You could alternatively shop online to discover great bargains with different dealers and on-line traders, to look for discounted tyres at great prices.
On-line retailers are able to make contact globally when marketing, which allows them the flexibility of buying stocks of tyres in bulk from all around the world. They, in turn, pass on the saving they get when they buy en-masse to enable the consumer to buy these tyres at discount prices, as they can afford to pass on their savings.
Everyone is concerned about driving safely in winter months, as they encounter many hazards on the roads due to conditions arising with ice, snowfall and sleet that pose severe problems for the driver. Winter tyres or “snow tyres” should be considered a necessity, even though they may be quite expensive to purchase. One has to consider the fact that it is better to safeguard the lives of their family members when driving in such conditions, as there is always the imminent danger of sliding off the road and causing accidents in winter conditions.
Winter tyres are specifically designed to help the driver during the winter months. These tyres work best in cold temperatures and should be fitted to the motor vehicle, as soon the temperatures start falling to 5 degrees or thereabouts and snowfall is predicted. Depending on which part of the world one is and the time zone, it is a safe practice to use these snow tyres when winter sets in. People normally fit the snow tyres as early as November.
Consumers are concerned about the cost and the wear and tear of these types of tyres, as they feel that they are not as durable, as regular tyres. However, when you consider the safety factor and know that you can protect the lives of your dear ones, it is worth the expense, as you can drive safely during extreme conditions. Try to source out these winter tyres in summer, as you can get them on great discounts, since many people do not make use of the advantages, of buying them when they are on low demand.
The snow tyres have grooves and bumps, designed on them, so that traction on snow-covered roads can be maximized. The grip of the car is increased by nearly 40% to help drivers on icy roads. The tyres are not as compatible, when there is black ice and are about 30% less functional at this time. However, it is better than not fitting winter tyres and driving perilously in winter conditions. Try to put the safety of your family first.
Some people also attach studs and chains to tyres to increase the traction. There is better grip and the car is able to move forward with the chains and break the snow side by side. They feel safer when they do this. It is advisable to ensure that you are taking every precaution when driving your family on these roads during the winter months.
Look for good bargain offers and discounted prices and fit these winter tyres, as it is very important to drive safely. The tyres are not as expensive as they used to be and if it can make your car road worthy and ensure your family’s safety, you should do everything in your power to work towards purchasing these winter tyres so that you do not slide off the roads and cause major accidents. Feel secure in the knowledge that you will be able to drive safely and not slip off the road. Make winter tyres your priority in cold months.
Every driver would have had the misfortune of driving over a pothole or several potholes at some time in their lives. When you come upon one suddenly, you are unable to avoid it and your car rolls dangerously, as you maneuver the vehicle and try to get out of the pothole, with as little damage as possible. Your heart misses a beat, when you go over a bad pothole, as you wonder at the damage caused to the car. The damage can sometimes be very extensive.
The recent winter conditions have made the roads very dangerous, due to the many potholes that have come up. Some are so bad that the car tyres have been ripped to shreds. Britain estimates that it would take nearly ten years to repair the existing potholes apart from the exorbitant costs, which could easily amount to ten million pounds for repairs.
Motorists are not too happy with this devastating news and worry about the cost of repairing damaged tyres whenever they are out driving, as there are potholes everywhere.
It is essential therefore that every driver is aware of the terrible consequences of going over potholes. The car tyres can be severely damaged and you may need to spend a lot on repairing them. The costs arising out of this type of damage have to be borne by you. The government may be responsible for building roads and maintaining them, but they will not reimburse you if your car is damaged due to potholes on the roads. You have to pay for these repairs yourself.
When you go over a pothole, you not only ruin your car tyres but the wheel alignment of the car as well as the undercarriage and suspension, gets affected. This is a dangerous situation and should not be overlooked as the consequences can be grave. If the wheel alignment shifts, your car can suddenly veer off the side of the road and accidents could be fatal when this happens.
Since these potholes exist, you will at some time or the other drive over them when you are in your car. Since this is an avoidable situation, it is up to drive cautiously and know how to avoid going over them at a dangerous speed to cut down the damages that can occur. You can try to minimize the danger and expenses by driving over them very slowly and try to avoid going at a reckless speed. Try avoiding the big ones if you can see them well ahead and try to protect those tyres.
There are several websites, which display the pothole density and you can check these out before you plan to travel in Great Britain. These websites have maps that show you the exact location of the potholes, so that you are aware of the dangers when you decide to look around. You need to scour the various search engines on Google and find out the numerous websites that give you this sort of information to help you plan your route carefully.
