Tires play an important role in the handling and safety of a car, however, with age, they lose their quality and must be replaced with new ones. Therefore, every driver must be able to determine the age of tires and make their timely replacement. Read about why it is necessary to change old tires, how to determine their age and replacement time, in this article.
Car Tire Life Standards
Tires are one of the few vehicle components that not only undergo wear and tear during operation, but also naturally age. Therefore, the replacement of tires is carried out not only in connection with their critical wear or damage, but also when the service life exceeds the permissible ones. Too old tires lose their quality, elasticity and strength, and therefore become too dangerous for the car.
Today in Russia there is a contradictory situation with the service life of tires. On the one hand, the so-called guarantee period service life (service life) of car tires, equal to 5 years from the date of their production. During this period the tire must provide the declared performance characteristics, while the manufacturer is responsible for his product throughout the entire period of operation. The term of 5 years is established by two standards - GOST 4754-97 and 5513-97.
On the other hand, there are no such laws in Western countries, and manufacturers car tires declare that the service life of their products reaches 10 years. At the same time, in the world and in Russia, there are no legislative acts that would oblige drivers and owners Vehicle make a mandatory replacement of tires when the warranty period expires. Although in the Russian traffic rules there is a rule on the residual tread height, and, as practice shows, tire wear usually occurs faster than their service life expires.
There is also such a concept as the shelf life of car tires, but Russian legislation does not establish the boundaries of this period. Therefore, manufacturers and sellers usually rely on a warranty period, and they say that a tire, if the correct conditions are observed, can last 5 years, and then be used like new. However, in a number of European and Asian countries, the maximum shelf life is 3 years, and after this period the tire can no longer be considered new.
So, how long can you use your tires installed on a car? Five, ten, or more? After all, all these figures are recommended, but no one obliges the driver to replace tires, even after fifteen years, the main thing is that they are not worn out. However, manufacturers themselves recommend replacing tires that are 10 years old, and in most cases tires become unusable after 6-8 years of operation.
What is the reason for the indicated service life and storage of car tires? It's all about the rubber itself, from which the tires are made - this material, with all its advantages, is subject to natural aging, which leads to the loss of basic qualities. As a result of aging, rubber can lose elasticity and strength, microscopic damage appears in it, which eventually turn into noticeable cracks, etc.
Aging of tires is primarily a chemical process. Under the influence of light, temperature differences, gases, oils and other substances contained in the air, the elastomer molecules that make up the rubber are destroyed, and the bonds between these molecules are also destroyed - all this leads to a loss of elasticity and strength of the rubber. As a result of rubber aging, tires resist wear worse, they literally crumble and can no longer provide the required performance characteristics.
It is because of the aging process of rubber that manufacturers and the national GOST establish a warranty period for the operation of tires. Domestic standard sets the period after which rubber aging does not yet have a negative effect, and tire manufacturers establish a real service life at which aging is already noticeable. Therefore, one should be very careful about tires over 6-8 years old, and tires that have celebrated their 10th "anniversary" must be changed without fail.
To replace a tire, you need to determine its age - it is quite simple to do this.
Methods for checking tire age
On car tires, as on any other product, the production date must be indicated - it is by this date that one can judge the age of the tires purchased or installed on the car. Today, tire manufacturing date stamping is based on the 2000 U.S. Department of Transportation standard.
On any tire there is an oval-crimp, in front of which is the abbreviation DOT and an alphanumeric index. Numbers and letters are also embossed in the oval - it is they who speak of the date of production of the tire. More precisely, the date is encrypted in the last four digits, which mean the following:
- The first two digits are the week of the year;
- The last two digits are the year.
So, if the last four digits are 4908 in the oval crimp, then the tire was produced in the 48th week of 2008. By Russian standards, such a tire has already exhausted its resource, and by world standards it should be replaced.
However, other designations of the production time can be found on tires. In particular, in the oval-crimping there may be not four, but three numbers, and there is also a small triangle - this means that given tire was produced between 1990 and 2000. It is clear that now such tires can no longer be used, even if they were in storage or installed on a car that has been in the garage for many years.
Thus, a single glance is enough to determine the age of a tire. However, not all car owners know this, which is used by dishonest sellers who present old tires as new ones. Therefore, when buying rubber, you need to be careful and be sure to check the production date.
Determine when to replace tires
When is the time to change tires? There are several cases when you definitely need to buy new tires:
- Age 10 years or more - even if this tire looks good outwardly, there is no visible damage in it and its wear is low, it should be removed and sent for recycling;
- The tire is 6-8 years old, while its wear is close to critical;
- Critical or uneven wear, large punctures and tears, regardless of the age of the tire.
As practice shows, tires, especially in Russia with its road features, rarely "live" up to ten years of age. Therefore, tire replacement is most often done due to wear or damage. However, in our country, not entirely new tires often go on sale, so every driver should be able to determine their age - only in this case you can protect yourself and your car.
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Not so long ago I heard - about economical tires, supposedly very eco-friendly progressive and fuel saving. Is this really so and how are we saving fuel? It should be noted that in Europe there is now a fairly promoted trend in the car market. Interesting information read on ...
These economical options do exist, and they really save fuel. They are now produced by many manufacturers, but only three companies have achieved the most impressive results - Michelin, Goodyear, Nokian. It was these giants who first thought about this parameter and began to struggle with tire rolling.
What is rolling resistance?
As the tire rotates, it experiences many loads, and upon impact, it deforms, absorbing a significant part of the energy that the engine produces. A wheel with a tire is soft, and therefore it is more difficult to roll it than, say, a completely metal one, which does not deform or puncture. But completely metal will make the movement of the car very uncomfortable, the suspension will "die" very quickly, and the braking of such a car will deteriorate significantly. Therefore, the task is not to abandon the rubber tire, but the task is to reduce rolling when driving, that is, to make it tough, but comfortable. And it will not be possible to defeat this force completely in a rubber wheel - it is not possible.
Why win at all?
It's simple, the less the power, the less power is needed for the engine to roll these wheels, and accordingly the consumption in fuel, that is, gasoline or diesel, will decrease. And the units can be delivered less powerful.
How are economical tires made?
It should be noted that this is a very difficult task. Manufacturers should not degrade but improve rubber performance (braking, aquaplaning, etc.) and also reduce rubber rolling. Changes - it is calculated to the millimeter, the optimal diameter is selected, as well as the optimal composition rubber compound which is less deformed. The compositions of the mixtures are kept in the strictest confidence (each company has its own unique composition), because it is in it that 70% of the improvement in this parameter is improved.
As I already wrote such firms as Michelin, Goodyear, Nokian have achieved maximum results. These manufacturers have moved away from carbon for their wheels in favor of silicon, which not only reduces rolling, but also improves cut and puncture resistance.
How much fuel can you save?
The fuel economy of such wheels can be significant up to 0.5 - 0.6 liters per 100 km. Take a look at the table.
How to determine them when choosing?
Very simple - each manufacturer has its own abbreviation on wheels.
This is usually a graph from A to G, where A is the lowest impedance busbar, the most economical. These abbreviations are not always applied to the tire cord, sometimes they are printed on stickers on the wheel.
For Michelin, the abbreviation ENERGY Saver may be used.
Michelin energy saver
Goodyear uses its abbreviation - where LRR (low rolling), ULRR (ultra low), ELRR (extremely low). These abbreviations can be found on the wheel cord.
Here is such a useful parameter that you also need to know. Other manufacturers are also trying to reduce this parameter and apply markings to rubber or decals, so look carefully when buying.
That's all, read our AUTOSITE
What ways can you save fuel on your car?
Today we are going to talk about a very interesting topic: fuel economy. Recently, gasoline prices have been growing and therefore even wealthy people are thinking about this issue. But not many people know how to save fuel without prejudice to convenience. Today we will look into this partly difficult issue.
You can, of course, trudge like a turtle, not turn on the air conditioner, the stove, not connect various gadgets to the cigarette lighter, or not turn on the headlights at all. Yes, all of this will save fuel. Again, none of this will provide any convenience.
How tires affect fuel consumption
As is known wide tires give better handling, but their roll-forward is rather poor. WITH narrow rubber, without aggressive tread, everything is exactly the opposite.
Less grip and better roll. Therefore, the fuel economy is obvious. Choose tires as narrow as possible, R16-17 215/60 will normally be, but not quite narrow, otherwise your car will turn into a bicycle, and one that will be acceptable for your riding style.
For your information, the manufacturer always solves a double problem: on the one hand, he selects a tire of such a width that the braking distance is acceptable, and on the other hand, he tries to guess with the required fuel consumption. Therefore, when the car leaves the assembly line, its tires are already optimally matched.
Good tires are made by our KAMA Euro, Continental, Toyo, the first are usually put on Lada Priors. if you do not drive aggressively, then you can donate braking for a little savings.
If you choose the right tire, then the consumption will instantly decrease by half a liter.
You can use discs of any size, this does not affect the economy. You can put big wide discs, but you just don't need to buy super wide rubber... In general, any tire manufacturer rely on one of three characteristics: comfort, efficiency and sport.
The first ones are installed on "luxury" sedans, the second - on those cars whose fuel consumption is rather big, and the third - on sports cars where it matters good grip with the road.
The condition of the engine is affected
A very important factor: the general condition of the engine. Many people say: so what? After all, the volume of the engine remains constant, the pressure in it is also constant. But keep in mind that no matter what state the engine is in, any failure of 100% leads to fuel consumption. Therefore, always monitor the condition of the car and listen to the engine, carry out diagnostics more often, and be sure to use.
On domestic cars air flow sensors often fail. It is usually located under the engine. The reason for their breakdown is extremely simple: in Russia poor quality fuel. When you go to the service center, they simply turn it off there. But this is not recommended, since it is he who adjusts the amount of fuel that the engine will use. When it is turned off, the engine begins to rely on the readings of the DRMV, but its readings are very inaccurate and it can be wrong by almost 15%. And fuel consumption can vary within this range.
It can and show downward, then the engine will start to consume less fuel, but the power outflow will immediately begin and the car will simply stop pulling. You simply have to press harder on the gas to drive in the mode you need. All this will lead to colossal fuel consumption, which, as a result, will lead to an infusion of funds for fuel. Therefore, it is better to immediately spot this problem and just buy a new one. After all, you would have spent more on gasoline anyway.
If you have a carburetor, then you need to monitor it, as well as monitor the gas pump and gearbox, so that it can also be operated for a long time as laid down by its manufacturer.
Excess car weight
A lot of people carry with them a bunch of different junk in the trunk, which again makes the car constantly carry with them excess weight... I personally know people who carry extra 50, 70 and even one hundred kilograms with them. Therefore, make the car as light as possible, instead of a pump, carry a gearbox, instead of a spare wheel - a tool for quick tire repair.
Some vehicles have a very large gas tank. Sometimes there are tanks for 80, 100 liters. I do not advise filling the entire gas tank into such tanks, since the car also has to carry this volume with it. It turns out that you have to carry one more person with you. so make your car lighter as much as possible.
Correct driving results in savings
This is a very simple task, it is so simple that every fool can handle it. Attention ... you just need to brake less, but in the sense not to brake at all (I know that some will not understand me now), if you need to brake, brake, you just need to use the brake pedal less. I'll explain now.
When you brake, you burn off the energy that was spent on acceleration and in order to achieve the old driving style you will have to spend fuel again. Electric cars are also arranged, when you brake the battery at this time it is charging.
That is why electric cars and hybrid cars so economical. If you see that you do not have time for green, you do not need to accelerate to try to slip through.
Just roll to the spot and slow down. This way you will definitely burn less fuel than if you were trying to accelerate. Over time, you will get used to this style of riding, yes, it will be difficult at first, but then it will turn out to be a normal everyday ride for you.
The longer you drive like this, the easier it will be for you to predict what the next traffic light will be.
And one more thing, try to completely stop, because as you know, in order to get out of a state of rest, you need to spend more energy. If everything goes like clockwork, then you will notice that the fuel consumption in the city is almost equal to the consumption on the highway. So go for this, by the way, safe riding style.
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