When talking about car performance, things like engine size, horsepower, and torque are undoubtedly important to your car’s performance. But, car tyres have as big an impact on your vehicle’s overall functioning.
Tyres are often deemed an overlooked contributor but impact your vehicle’s performance. And this makes total sense, as your tyres are the only parts of the car that have direct contact with the road. Tyres impact how much control you have when driving, how fast you can stop, how neatly your car turns, and even how peaceful your drive is.
That being said, let’s look at which characteristics of the tyres influence your ride’s performance.
How Michelin Tyres Improve Vehicle Performance
As the final component in a car’s engineering and the only ones that connect with the road, tyres are more than just an accessory. High-quality tyres, such as Michelin, keep your vehicle running efficiently and smoothly without sudden issues.
Let’s look at how tyres affect a car’s performance.
Diameter
If you have ever gone shopping for tyres, you know that the sizes look like this:195/65-R15. The last number in that series, after “R,” is the tyre’s diameter or the length from one side of the tyre frame to another.
The size of your wheel affects your vehicle’s handling. Larger wheel sizes, for example, will give more traction and more control over your car’s braking. Plus, larger wheels are more aesthetically pleasing.
However, the larger the diameter, the more performance trade-offs you make. Larger wheels lead to poor turning, a bumpier drive, and risk of bending (shakiness and vibration when you’re driving).
Tread Depth
Tread depth plays a big role in traction and braking. Tyre tread is the rubber on tyre’s surface that comes in contact with the ground. As tyre rolls and turns along the road, its tread starts to wear. It loses its ability to perform well in different terrains like rain, snow, gravel, dirt, etc.
A deeper tread means less control over the vehicle, starting hydroplaning (when tyres slide on the wet surface) faster, and suddenly needing more time to stop on wet roads. Uneven tire wear can also cause shaking in the steering wheel.
Every tyre has a ‘Tread Wear Indicator’ bar. When tyre treadwears out to the legal limit (1.5mm across the width), you’ll have to replace the tyre.
Rigidity
The rigidity of a tyre means the rubber compound it is made of. The rubber on tyres can be soft or hard, affecting your ride and handling. Softer tyres will grip the road better, providing more traction and improving braking. However, softer ones will also wear down faster and be more vulnerable to road hazards such as potholes and gravel. On the other hand, hard tyres last longer and are better suited for difficult conditions, like rough terrains.
Rather than focusing on hard vs. soft rubber, choose a tyre that offers a range of features and matches your driving needs.
Air Pressure
Tyres are meant to operate in a specific pressure range, and using them at the incorrect value might influence your vehicle’s performance. For instance, Overinflated tyres can’t bend as much as they should, resulting in a much bumpier drive, faster tyre wear, and, in some exceptions, blowouts. On the other hand, underinflated tyres lead to worn-out treads and difficulty handling the car in tough conditions such as rain and snow.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right tyre and knowing how it affects your vehicle’s performance and safe handling is challenging. Luckily, Michelin offers a diverse range of quality tyres that delivers a good balance between durability, grip, and noise control.
If you’re searching for high-quality car tyres in Dubai, consider checking out wholesalers like CTC, an Al-Rostamani Company member. They can help you with all of your automotive requirements. Visit today!