The pneumatic tyre was invented in 1845 by a Scot, R.W. Thompson, for use on horse-drawn coaches.

It was made from natural rubber, which is produced as latex by rubber trees. Most vehicle tyres today are made from a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber, the ratio of the mix depending on the end use.

The properties of natural rubber include cut and tear resistance and good flexibility while synthetic rubber offers better grip on the road. As well as the rubber compound, additional raw materials for tyre production are steel wire and textiles, both used to strengthen the tyre.

Most people, when they buy new tyres, ask: “What mileage will I get from these tyres?” What they should be asking is: “How do I get the best mileage from these tyres?”

To extend its life, a tyre must run straight down the road, perfectly balanced, with an inflation pressure exactly right to carry the load on board and cope with the speed being traveled at.

It’s of paramount importance that tyres are fitted to true-running rims, and as a weekend of four wheel driving can often result in a buckled or damaged wheel.

Even ‘run-outs’ of only a millimeter or so in the wheel-rims are magnified significantly by the time this movement reaches the larger diameter of the tyre tread on the road.

This lateral and radial wander unbalances the tyre, induces a higher rate of wear, and in extreme cases can completely wipe off the tread blocks to a feathered edge.

Mis-alignment of a vehicle’s suspension is another major contributor to poor mileage on both 4WDs and regular passenger cars.

Pressures detailed on the vehicle’s tyre placard should be maintained and increases suggested for high loads and high speeds adhered to.

In short, to maximize tyre life what you need to do is select the right tyre for you 4WD, mount it on a ‘true’ rim, make sure the vehicle is correctly aligned, and keep the correct inflation pressures.

To get your 4Wd Tyres today be sure to contact the team at Tyrehouse.
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