Making Vehicles Go Round - Tires

Tires are the ring-shaped or rounded parts that are fitted around the wheels for protection and enhancement. These are either pneumatic or solid in form which is used on different types of vehicles with wheels. Tire classification depends on the size and type of vehicle while tire performance characteristics include appearance, braking, comfort, handling, noise and wet road conditions among many others.

Tires are the coverings made for wheels which are made of rubber toughened with cords of nylons, fiberglass or other materials and filled with compressed air. They have a rounded shape either pneumatic meaning with compressed air or solid that can be fitted around wheels to protect and enhance the performance of vehicles. Tires, especially pneumatic tires, are used on most vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and aircraft among many others. These provide the needed cushion between the vehicle and the road as well as give you a smooth and comfortable ride.

Tire classification depends on the size and type of vehicle and on several standard types. These include:

• For passenger and light truck types – includes high performance tires (designed for higher speeds such as sports and race cars), mud & snow tires, all season tires, all-terrain tires, spare tires, and run-flat tires among others;
• For heavy duty trucks – tires made for commercial freight trucks, dump trucks, and passenger busses;
• For off-the-road vehicles – tires made for wheel loaders, backhoes, graders, trenchers and large mining trucks;
• For agricultural vehicles – tires made for tractors and harvesters;
• For racing vehicles – tires made for top fuel dragsters, drift racers, extreme off road racing, oval track racers, jet-powered trucks and monster trucks as well as those vehicles used for Formula One, NASCAR, rallying and MotoGP among others;
• For industrial vehicles – tires made for skid loaders and fork lift trucks;
• For bicycles and motorcycles
• For aircraft

Tire performance characteristics also depend on the type and size of your vehicles. These include:

• Appearance – tires can look good but can be very functional as well. Flashy tires can make your vehicles stand out;
• Braking – this is an important tire performance characteristic because it ensures your safety on the road;
• Comfort – tires absorb the shocks and bumps for you to have comfort;
• Handling – this characteristic features traction and solid grip on the road;
• Noise – eliminates undesirable road noise;
• Wet road conditions – provides protection on wet roads and avoid accidents.