The right tire means everything for your vehicle. You’ve probably heard that phrase once or twice while shopping for tires over the years. But it’s true! What works for one car or truck may not be what your vehicle needs. With so many choices and brands out there, it pays to know a trusted name like Pat’s Auto Service Center to give you all the right rubber for the road.
Tires help to drive the vehicle and help transfer the power generated by the engine to the road. They also assist us in having a good grip on the road regardless of the meteorological conditions, keeping you and your passengers safe. Tires support a vehicle’s load, give traction and braking force, absorb shock, and make sure you continue to travel in the right direction.
Anatomy of a Tire
A tire may seem simple, but it’s a system that’s just as complex as anything else on your vehicle. Tires are specifically formulated to handle a variety of surfaces and conditions whether you’re on the road, or off it. A tire is made up of five main structures that help it retain its shape and do the job correctly. These are the tread, sidewall, body ply, belt, and bead.
Tread
The tread of a tire is made up of different compounds of rubber. You can think of the tread of a tire like the bottom of your shoe. It’s the part of the tire that makes direct contact with the road and provides your vehicle with the grip it needs to stay safely on the pavement. The purpose of tire tread is to provide you with a good “footprint” no matter the conditions. Different brands of tires will often have several varieties of tread, and each one is unique to the purpose it is being used. A highway tire will drive differently than an off-road tire. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have the right type of tires on your vehicle. A puncture located here has the highest probability of being repaired.
Side Wall
The side wall is made of rubber compound and is the part of the tire that separates the tread and bead. It also helps to provide your tire with the necessary structural rigidity to perform its job. At the same time, it’s also the most fragile part of a tire. A puncture in this area cannot usually be repaired, so a damaged side wall will often result in the tire being replaced.
Body Ply
This acts as the skeleton of a tire and gives the tire its structure. The body ply is most often made up of artificial fibers and helps to make a tire strong and up to the task at hand.
Tire Belt
Made up of stiff steel cords, the tire belt helps to provide a solid structure for the tread and protects the overall tire.
Bead
The bead of a tire helps to grip the entire structure of the wheel of your vehicle. The bead is extremely strong and is made of a bundle of durable steel wires.
The Right Brand Makes a Difference
When it comes to putting the right rubber on the road, there are several different brands to consider. Each has its advantages, rubber compounds, and tread styles. Some of these brands are:
- Michelin
- BF Goodrich
- Goodyear
- Uniroyal
- Nexen
- Ironman
Pat’s is Your Shop for the Best Tires
Pat’s Auto Service Center has been loyally serving the coastal Carolina area for over 55 years. That’s a lot of experience when it comes to putting the best tires on your vehicle. Be it minor tire repairs, such as plugs and patches, to rotation, alignments, and finding the right size tires, the pros at Pat’s know best! From the top reputable brands to more modestly priced tires, Pat’s can find you the best rubber for the road ahead. You can always give us a call at 910-791-8481 or visit us at patsautoservicecenter.com for more information.
