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What’s inside your tires?

Most people think tires are a simple technology- just rubber poured into a mold, right? Well, to be honest, tires do seem pretty straightforward considering the heap of metal and working components under the hood! But actually, tires are made up of over 200 various materials made into different rubbers, metals, fabrics, and plastics.

Inner Liner - The innermost layer of a tire, starting on the inside, is the inner liner. It is a thin air-tight layer of synthetic rubber designed to keep the air inside the tire. A good inner liner will help maintain your tire pressure which will help you get better fuel economy and lengthen the life of your tires.

Belts – The next layer is made of parallel steel belts which provide a substructure for the tire giving it strength and stability. These belts are important for the handling and longevity of the tire. A lot of effort goes into the angles, placement, and materials of these belts when a tire company designs a new tire.

Tread – The outside layer of your tire is called the tread. This is the patterned rubber layer that we see that comes in contact with the road. There are many different tread designs and the pattern will depend on the type of tire and what it is intended for. For instance, snow tires will have a more aggressive tread pattern than all-season tires.

Sidewalls – On either side of the tire you have the sidewalls. The sidewalls are made of a stiff rubber that protects your tire from curbs or other damaging aspects. The sidewall also contains information about the tire. The size, load index, and speed rating are all printed on the sidewall.

Bead – On each sidewall, you will find what is called the “bead” of the tire. The bead is made of a mix of wire and rubber materials that are meant to hold the tire onto the wheel. It creates a seal around the rim of the wheel preventing air from escaping.

Over time, each of these elements of the tire have been added to and improved for longevity, performance, and wear. We now have tires that can last as many as 100,000 miles vs. back in the ’70s when bias-ply tires only lasted about 20,000 miles. Tires have come a long way since then!

When you’re ready to buy tires, remember, we are here to help you choose the right tires for your vehicle, not only for performance but also for safety. Give us a call, we can’t wait to hear from you! Phone: 515-262-5641