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Your car's tyres are responsible for steering, braking, and overall vehicle stability. But did you know that the age of your tyres, regardless of tread depth, plays a crucial role in their performance and, ultimately, your safety? This blog post explains the importance of tyre age, its effects on various aspects of performance, and how to ensure you're driving on safe and reliable rubber.
While tread depth is a readily visible indicator of tyre wear, it only tells part of the story. Over time, tyres degrade internally, even if they haven't been significantly worn down by mileage. This degradation is a gradual process influenced by several factors and significantly impacts performance and safety.
Internal Degradation: This is the silent killer. The rubber compounds in your tyres, exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, ozone, and heat, begin to break down at a molecular level. This process is not visible to the naked eye but weakens the tyre structure, reducing its strength and flexibility.
Vulcanization Deterioration: The process of vulcanization, which transforms raw rubber into durable tyre material, is affected by age. As this process deteriorates, the tyres become more prone to cracking and blowouts.
Understanding the implications of age-related tyre degradation is crucial for safe driving. Let's examine its effects on different aspects of vehicle performance.
Reduced Responsiveness: Age-related hardening reduces the tyre's ability to conform to the road surface. This makes steering less precise, thus making the vehicle feel less responsive and more difficult to control, especially at higher speeds or in challenging conditions.
Increased Skidding Potential: The loss of grip due to hardening and internal degradation increases the risk of skidding, particularly during braking, acceleration, or cornering, especially on wet roads.
Unpredictable Handling: An aged tyre may react unpredictably to road imperfections or changes in driving conditions.
Longer Braking Distances: Reduced grip directly translates to longer braking distances, increasing the risk of accidents. This effect is amplified in wet conditions.
Reduced Braking Stability: Hardened tyres can lock up more easily under hard braking, causing skidding and loss of control.
Increased Risk of Brake Failure: Severe internal degradation can lead to tyre failure under the stress of hard braking, resulting in complete loss of control.
Increased Rolling Resistance: Hardened and degraded tyres have increased rolling resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder to maintain speed. This directly leads to decreased fuel efficiency.
Higher Fuel Consumption: This increased effort by the engine translates to higher fuel consumption, costing you more money at the pump.
Harsh Ride: Age-related hardening results in a harsher ride quality, with more vibrations and road noise transferred to the vehicle’s interior.
Reduced Shock Absorption: The tyre's ability to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road surface is significantly reduced.
Knowing when to replace your tyres is critical. The most important factor is not mileage but age.
Finding the Manufacturing Date: Look for a four-digit code, usually on the sidewall of the tyre. The first two digits represent the week, and the last two represent the year of manufacture.
The Six-Year Rule: Experts generally recommend replacing tyres after six years, regardless of tread depth. This accounts for the internal degradation that occurs over time.
Visual Inspection: Look for cracks, bulges, or unusual wear patterns. These are strong indicators that your tyres need replacing.
By understanding the importance of tyre age and its impact on performance, you can prioritize safety and maintain optimal vehicle control. Don't just focus on tread depth; pay attention to the age of your tyres and replace them proactively to ensure a safer and more efficient driving experience.
Now you can easily replace old tyres through an Apollo Tyres shop near you. We offer a wide range of car and SUV tyres for vehicles manufactured in India. Our experts will assist you in selecting the right tyre for your car based on factors like car model (by year and variant), tyre size, driving preferences, and other key factors that can enhance your driving experience. Or, you can also place your orders online using our handy tyre finder tool which lets you search tyres by size or car model and variant.
Furthermore, the Apollo Tyres online shop allows you to buy online and fit offline. Wherein you can place your order online and book an appointment at a nearby authorized Apollo Tyres partner who will provide professional fitment service.
To know more, drop us an email at apollodirect@apollotyres.com or call our helpline 1800 212 7070.