| Car tyres are an everyday object that we take | | | | recovery. It is hoped that tyres could partially |
| for granted. But without them driving would be a | | | | replace coal as a fuel source for many industries. |
| very different experience. Any fan of Formula | | | | Car tyres can be re-used at home in the garden. |
| One Racing will be able to tell you about the | | | | Ideas include as a raised bed for planting flowers |
| importance of tyres. To keep up in a | | | | or herbs, a basic composter, as part of a |
| conversation with a motor sport fan, I have | | | | children's playground or the old favourite- a car |
| compiled five interesting facts that you may not | | | | tyre swing. |
| know about car tyres: | | | | 3. Car tyres inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's |
| 1. There are several different types of car tyres, | | | | recommended pressure can improve fuel |
| not just budget or expensive. The type of tyre | | | | economy by 10%. |
| you choose depends on factors such as the | | | | Under inflated tyres increase the rolling resistance |
| vehicle's make, the desired performance, how you | | | | on the road and if one tyre is a different |
| drive your car and the driving conditions. | | | | pressure to the others an imbalance is created. It |
| Five different tyre classifications are:a) All | | | | makes the car engine work harder, using more |
| Weatherb) Wet Weatherc) All Terraind) Mude) | | | | fuel. |
| Performance | | | | 4. The legal minimum tread depth for a car tyre |
| A wet weather tyre will handle the harsher | | | | is 1.6mm. This applies to the entire circumference |
| conditions of winter better than a performance | | | | of the tyre. |
| tyre, which is suited to summer driving. | | | | Most tyres have a tread wear indicator built into |
| The tyre types differ in the rubber compound | | | | them. It is a horizontal bar of rubber located |
| used (soft or hard) and the tread patterns. These | | | | between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm. |
| can affect driving in terms of grip, performance, | | | | When the height of the tread wears down to the |
| tyre noise and wear. For instance All Terrain tyres | | | | height of this bar it is time to consider replacing |
| have large tread block patterns that are very | | | | your car tyres. |
| noisy on normal roads but have great grip when | | | | 5. New car tyres need running in. This is where |
| driving off road. | | | | the Formula One fan can help. They will be able to |
| If in doubt about which type of car tyre is best | | | | tell you the tyres on the racing cars improve |
| for you then consult a car tyre specialist such as | | | | after a certain amount of use. The same applies |
| Merityre for advice. | | | | to our new tyres but not really for the same |
| 2. Over 40 million car tyres are disposed of by | | | | reasons as a Formula One car. |
| tyre retailers, garages and vehicle dismantlers | | | | A new car tyre is formed in a mould which is lined |
| every year. Responsible companies pay for the | | | | with a non stick coating. The coating is needed to |
| tyres to be disposed of in an environmentally | | | | be able to remove the tyre from the mould. It |
| friendly fashion. | | | | creates a wonderful shiny appearance on a new |
| A 2006 EU directive banned the disposal of | | | | tyre but also reduces grip. It can take up to 500 |
| almost all tyres in landfill sites. Many are re-used | | | | miles to scrub the coating from the tyre. During |
| after having new tread applied. Others are | | | | this time it is advised to take extra care when |
| shredded and used in carpet underlay or for road | | | | driving fast, on corners or bends and driving in the |
| re-surfacing. An emerging market is energy | | | | wet. |