Lastik Bilgiler
- The tire you purchased is under the warranty of our company against manufacturing, material and workmanship defects.
- The warranty period starts from the date of delivery of the goods and lasts 2 years or 1.6 mm. thread depth, whichever comes first.
- In case of failure of the goods within the warranty period, the time spent in repair shall be added to the warranty period. The repair period of the goods shall not exceed 20 working days. This period starts from the date of notification of the malfunction of the goods to the service station, or in the absence of a service station, to the seller, dealer, agency, representative, importer or manufacturer of the goods. It is possible for the consumer to notify the malfunction by telephone, fax, e-mail, registered letter with return receipt or similar means. However, in case of dispute, the burden of proof belongs to the consumer. If the malfunction of the goods is not resolved within 10 business days, the manufacturer or importer; until the repair of the goods is completed, another goods with similar characteristics must be allocated to the use of the consumer.
- In the cases that the tires fail due to manufacturing, material and workmanship defects within the warranty period and in cases where repair is possible, it will be repaired without any charge under any name or labor cost.
- The tire, despite the consumer’s right to repair; from the date of delivery to the consumer, provided that it remains within the warranty period, at least four times within one year or six times within the warranty period determined by the manufacturer and / or importer, as well as the failure of these failures to benefit from the goods, manuufacturer and / or importer, as well as the failure of these failures to benefit from the goods,
- Exceeding the maximum time for repair, in the cases that the service station of the company, in the absence of a service station, it is determined that it is not possible to repair the malfunction with the report to be issued by one of the dealer, dealer, agency, representative, importer or manufacturer-manufacturer, the consumer may request free replacement of the goods, refund or price reduction at the rate of defect.
- Failures arising from the use of the tire contrary to the points in the user manual are not covered by the warranty. Other matters not covered by the warranty are also specified in this warranty document.
- For any problems that may arise in relation to the Warranty Certificate, please contact the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Customs and Trade, General Directorate of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance.
MATTERS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY
- Different tire and wheel sizes other than those recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Tires damaged by stones, nails, glass and similar foreign objects.
- Damage caused by vehicle mechanics and improper handling.
- Damage caused by external factors such as speed bumps, potholes, sidewalks, etc. and bumps and impacts caused by faulty and misuse.
- Damage caused by different brands and sizes of inner tires and/or tires fitted inside the outer tire.
- Damages caused as a result of loading the vehicle over the capacity limit specified in the vehicle license.
- Damage caused by use with inappropriate air pressure.
- Wear damage to the tire tread caused by sudden and violent braking at high speeds.
- Damages that may occur due to tire matching with tires of different brands and specifications.
- Damage to the heel or other part of the tire when mounting or dismounting the tire on the rim.
- Repaired or retreaded tires.
- Damage caused by the positioning of the tires by their owners in such a way that they are exposed to prolonged direct sunlight, ozone or magnetic fields.
- Damages that may arise from the use of the tire in road conditions that are not suitable for its intended purpose.
- Deformation of the tire due to prolonged inactivity of the vehicle.
- Tires with a tread depth of 1.6 mm or less than the safety limit.
HOW TO APPLY THE WARRANTY PROCEDURE
1 – The customer delivers the tire to KONLAS Authorized Dealer together with the Warranty Certificate and Invoice.
2 – The Authorized Dealer fills out the Defective Tire Request Form and gives a copy to the customer.
3 – The Authorized Dealer shall deliver the Defective Tire Request Form, Warranty Certificate and Invoice to KONLAS in full.
4 – The tire is inspected by KONLAS Technical Advisor and the result is notified in writing to the Authorized Dealer and the customer.
5 -The compensation amount determined for the tire with a fabricated defect is transferred to the current account of our authorized dealer on behalf of the consumer within the framework of the accounting rules in force. The tire that is out of the scope of warranty is delivered to the Authorized Dealer to be returned to the consumer. The tire that is replaced or paid for by determining the defect or with a commercial approach is scrapped by our technical service. Therefore, it is not refundable.
Warranty period: 2 (two) years or until the thread depth of 1.6 mm (whichever comes first)
Maximum Repair Time: 20 Working Days.
The first step of the wheel tire was taken with the simple tire model obtained by J.B.Dunlop by attaching tent cloth impregnated with rubber solution on a wooden wheel for his son’s tricycle by nails and inflating it with air..
The development of the tire in today’s sense took place in the early 1900s. Rubber, which is the main raw material widely used in tires today, is obtained from the rubber tree, which was previously produced only in South America, but later grown in Malaysia, Indonesia, Srilanka, Southeast Asian countries and Brazil.
Rubber was initially used for various purposes, but its use in the tire industry was realized when Goodyear cooked rubber with sulfur (vulcanization) and shaped it. After that, a rapid development in tire technology began with Dunlop’s placement of steel wires in the heels and the development of the inner tube, and by the 1920s, cord fabrics made of cotton were included in the main materials of the pneumatic wheel tire. With the development of cord yarns that are stronger than cotton, cotton cord fabric was replaced by synthetic ply fabrics such as rayon, polyester and nylon and steel cords, which are widely used today.
The classification and standardization of tires began in the 1940s with the development of a tire size system based on a number-letter group consisting of tire cross-section width and rim size.
- Avoiding high speeds on uneven ground.
- Avoid improper loading of the vehicle.
- If possible, tires should be inspected before each use to remove any foreign material that has sunk into the tire.
- Avoid high speeds with heavy loads.
- Since there will be a decrease in the mechanical properties of the tire in the long term due to the effect of external factors such as ozone in the air, sun and fluorescent light, as well as the change in the chemical structure of the mixtures used in the manufacture of tires over time, the inner and outer tires that have passed 5 years from the date of manufacture should be carefully checked and used if there are intense lines similar to cracks on it, the tire in question should not be used.
(The production date is usually given on the tire as a group of letters and numbers, for example CX9P 32Y 4400. Here the date of manufacture is 4400, the last two digits refer to the year 2000 and the first two digits refer to the 44th week of the year 2000).
- Regularly check the tightness of the lug nuts.
- Use tires and wheels of a size approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Do not drive with a tire that is damaged or whose air pressure is too low for any reason.
- Do not use tires with load and speed limit values below the load and speed limit of the original tire (Load and speed index tables are given below).
- Check the tire inflation pressure once a week when the tire is cold, and if the pressure has dropped, bring it to the appropriate level. Apply the air pressure specified in the vehicle catalog to the tire.
- Paying attention to potholes and bumps in the ground while driving.
- Avoid sudden and hard braking.
- Never exceeding the speed and load limits specified on the tire
- All four tires of the vehicle have the same tread, construction and pattern.
- The disassembly and assembly process must be carried out by automatic machines, and lubricants such as arabic soap and similar lubricants must be used (Petroleum, petroleum products, detergents, etc. should not be used as lubricants).
- The mechanical systems of the vehicle should be checked at regular intervals. New tires should not be mounted side by side with used tires. It is necessary to choose tires with a tread pattern and structure suitable for the type of road and ground on which the vehicle operates.
- Avoid rubbing your tires against stones, metal, glass and similar objects, as well as curbs and cutting surfaces.
- Enter the bumps and potholes on the roads slowly.
- Prevent your tires from coming into contact with petroleum and petroleum derivatives and chemicals.
- If the tread depth of your tires has reached the safety limit (approximately 1.6 mm for passenger cars, 3 mm for vans and trucks), replace your tires with new ones.
- Since the speed limit of special winter tires produced for the winter season may be lower than the speed limit of the original tire, adjust your speed limit according to this tire if it continues to be used outside the winter season. In addition, the use of winter tires in hot weather may cause problems in terms of tire life and comfort of use.
Please note that The information contained in this manual is of a general nature. Please contact our Company for additional information that may be needed.
Tires are the most important drivetrain that allows your vehicle to contact with the road and transfers the power from your vehicle’s engine to the road, and the above information must be followed for your safety of life and property.
Problems that may occur as a result of failure to comply with these issues will cause the tires to be out of warranty.TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT TIRES INFLATION PRESSURE
Many tire failures are caused by a tire inflation pressure error, and inflation pressure has a major impact on riding comfort and safety. The recommended inflation pressure can be found in the motorcycle manual or tire technical manual.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with driving. Therefore, the tire pressure should be measured before setting off and adjusted if necessary.
Check the inflation pressure of your tires once a week. When driving with a passenger, increase the tire pressure by 0.2 bar (3 psi). Excessive pressure causes the tire to stretch too much, heat up and wear out quickly.
High pressure causes unsteadiness and uneven wear, resulting in reduced ride comfort.TREAD DEPTH
Do not operate your motorcycle with tires worn beyond the safety limit. Tire tread depth has a significant effect on driving safety. For safe driving, street tires with a tread depth of less than 2 mm should be replaced. Since motorcycles are mostly ridden in an upright position, most of the wear occurs in the center of the tread. For this reason, the tire tread depth is measured from the center of the tread. There are also markings on the tire sidewall, indicated by the letters TWI (Tread Wear Indicator), which indicate when the approximate tread depth is less than 1 mm.
TOGETHER WITH THE NEW TIRE
The inner tube must be replaced with a new tubetype tire, as the inner tube expands and thins during its lifetime, and if mounted on a new outer tube, it will fold and burst at the ply. The rim valve must be replaced with a new tubeless tire. Under high speeds, the rim valve flexes and bends due to centrifugal force and the rubber section ages.
Sudden braking, acceleration and cornering should be avoided during the first wear distance of 200 km with your new tires.TIRE REPAIR
Minor damage to the tread area of tubeless type tires and tires with low speed symbols can be repaired, repair of tires with high speed symbols and tires with major damage is not recommended. It is not recommended to use repaired tires with inner tubes. Repair kits for the driver’s should use only be used as a temporary solution for emergencies and the tire should be shown to a professional as soon as possible. Liquid tire repair kits are not recommended as they can damage the chemical structure of the tire.
Unmounted tires should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place in an upright position, away from running electric motors, heat emitting objects, oil, solvents and chemicals,
Check the tire for a directional arrow, if so, mount the tire so that it points in the direction of rotation. Some Metzeler tires have a red dot on the sidewall. This dot should be mounted next to the valve. Clean the tire heel and wet it with soapy water. To seat the bead correctly, remove the valve core and inflate the tire. Do not apply more than 50 psi (3.5 bar) pressure to seat the bead. Check the heel seating lines. If the heel is not seated, repeat the above procedure. Be careful not to compress the inner tube, if present. Do not fully tighten the nut that clamps the inner tube to the rim until the tire is inflated. Always use a valve cap.SUFFICIENT CLARITY
Tires should be of a size that will leave sufficient clearance from the surrounding surfaces. It should also be taken into account that tires grow under speed due to centrifugal force, in varying amounts depending on their construction.
It is the only and most important part of the vehicle, which is made up of a combination of tires, rubber, cord fabric, steel wires and various chemical substances, and ensures the vehicle’s contact with the ground. It usually starts, accelerates and stops the first movement of the motorized or non-motorized land transportation vehicle by rubbing against the ground with the air it carries. They are produced in various sizes, types and structures according to their place of use.
More than 5000 years have passed since the invention of the wheel by the Sumerians. Rubber, the raw material of the “rubber wheel” we use today, has been used since the end of the 19th century. Its use and development reached its highest level in the 20th century and is constantly evolving.
THE TIRE’S FUNCTIONS
- Carrying the weight of the vehicle and the load.
- Converting the rotational moment created by the engine into traction force by transferring it to the road.
- Contributing to comfort by absorbing impacts.
- To generate the braking power for deceleration and the lateral force needed for steering control in cornering.
- It also has unique shock-absorbing suction properties to absorb the force of driving and ground disturbances.
- To ensure safe grip, regardless of the type of road pavement (asphalt, dirt, gravel) and the condition of the road (rain, mud, snow, ice).
STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF THE TIRE
In the structures of wheel tires, there are fiber-based cords such as nylon, rayon, polyester and steel cords to meet the high strength requirements. Bead strength is provided with the help of steel wires. The tire compound is responsible for keeping these different elements together and providing the ability to flex in the sidewalls by ensuring safe contact with the ground during service. The tire compound consists of natural and synthetic rubbers and carbon blacks as the main filler. In addition to these, there are vulcanization elements. Chemical oils are used for the processing and homogeneity of the mixture.
TYRE TYPES
Cross Ply Tires It is the first body structure used at the beginning of tire technology. The textile-based “cord” yarns that make up the body of these tires are placed diagonally on top of each other at an angle of 35-40 degrees to the tire direction. This structure is also called dioganal or conventional. It is indicated by “-” or “D” in the size definition.
Radial Tires:
It is a structure developed to meet the requirements of the changing and developing automotive sector. In these tires, the body structure is the structure formed by the application of steel cord belt layers at a certain angle in the belts formed as a result of placing textile-based cords such as superior textile cords such as rayon, nylon, polyester at an angle of 90 degrees to the direction of rotation of the tire. At the same time, the radial structure can also be formed by the application of belts consisting only of textile-based cords at zero degrees and at a certain angle to the direction of rotation of the tire.
Tubeless and Tube-Type Tires:
In vehicles, it is the air pressure compressed between the rim in the tires that meets the reaction force corresponding to the load. Tires are just the casings in which the air pressure is compressed. The compressed air pressure is maintained by means of a sealing liner applied to the inner tubes or the inside of the outer tires. Outer tires used with inner tubes are called Tube-type tires, while outer tires used without inner tubes are called Tubeless tires.
TREAD: It is the top part of the tire that provides contact with the road. The pattern on it indicates its intended use. The grooves in the pattern serve to discharge the water. The solid blocks in contact with the ground transmit traction and braking power and generate lateral force.
SHOULDER: The area where the back and cheek meet and is made of thick rubber
SIBEWALL: It is the area of the tire between the heel and the shoulder. It determines steering control characteristics, handling and comfort aesthetics. It provides flexibility to the tire and has marking and identifying information on it.
BEAD: It is the area of the tire that contacts the rim and ensures that it is tightly connected.
RADIAL CORD: The area that holds the tire around the rim. It is made of stretch-resistant, non-elongating steel wires.
JEYFIR: It is placed on the outside of the bead wire. Prevents the carcass structure from being abraded and destroyed by the rim. Provides the necessary flexibility on the rim end.
KARKAS STRUCTURE: The support section at the lower end of the tire that extends from one bead string to the other. It goes around the bead wire and attaches to the tire. The carcass is made of polyester cord fabric, with longitudinal fibers carrying the load and horizontal fibers holding the structure together.
BELT PLIES: The narrow layers extending under the tread pattern are called belts. The belts, which are divided into steel and cloth, compress the carcass structure.
ASTER: The liner, a thin layer of rubber on the inner surface of the tire, provides an airtight seal. It prevents compressed air trapped inside the tire from escaping.
BASIC INFORMATION ON THE TIRE
Passenger Tires
A –Manufacturer and Product Name
B – Sign indicating that the tire is used without inner tube (Tubeless)
Tires used with inner tubes have the “Tube Type” marking or no marking at all.
C – Design Type
D – Means mud and snow
E – Indicates a directional tire
STORAGE / PRESERVATION OF TIRES
Tires should be stacked vertically on special racks. In case of horizontal stacking, their height should not exceed 8 units and they should be changed at least once a month. There should be no petroleum-based products (oil, gasoline, diesel, solvents, etc.) in the tire waiting area. Tires must not be placed close to a heat source. Direct sunlight should not hit the tire surface and there should be no electric motors that cause ozone production in the environment. The “first in, first out” (FI-FO) rule must be followed in tire warehouses.
MOUNTING / DISMOUNTING TIRES ON RIMS
Mounting and dismounting of tires on rims must be carried out in authorized services, with appropriate machines and hand tools by qualified personnel. The rim on which the tire is to be mounted must be free of dents, dings, cracks, oil, rust and contaminants. The rim size must be the size prescribed by the vehicle and catalogs. There should be no wetness in the tire, if there are foreign substances, they must be removed. During tire mounting, a specially developed lubricant or diluted soap solution must be applied to the tire heels and rim bead. Petroleum-based oils and silicone, detergent-like lubricants should never be used. At the end of installation, it should be verified that the tire is centered on the rim. Tire inflation air must be dry air free of moisture. It should be checked that there is no leakage from the valve of the inflated tire, and a valve cover with rubber gasket must be installed on the valves. If inner tube type vehicle tires are to be mounted, new outer tire, new inner tire and column must be added. The inner tube and column must be properly powdered before installation. New tires should not be matched with old tires. If the direction of rotation or outer sidewall is indicated on the tire sidewall, this must be strictly adhered to in the rim and intermediate mounting.
WARNINGS FOR LONG-LASTING AND HIGH PERFORMANCE
Air Pressure:
Improper air pressure can cause irreparable damage in the future. It also causes irregular and premature wear. The air pressure must be measured when the tire is cold and must always comply with the air pressure values specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Spot:
Observe the tire pressure warnings of the vehicle manufacturers. Low pressure causes circumferential and irregular wear on both shoulders of the tire, and high inflation pressure causes circumferential and irregular wear in the center of the tread.
Rod adjustment:
Due to defects in the mechanical and suspension systems of your vehicle, the steering and vehicle direction may not be the same. Frontal misalignment not only causes economic loss in your tires, but also damages the suspension and rotating parts of your vehicle, leading to high mechanical repair and maintenance costs over time.
Balance adjustment:
If your wheel and tire are not properly matched, you will feel uncomfortable during fast driving, such as bouncing, knocking, shaking, wobbling, etc. Since tires are subjected to different wear movements in each different position they are mounted on the vehicle, periodically changing their position will increase their lifespan. It is the tire manufacturers’ recommendation to replace tires that are diagonal to each other.
TREAD DEPTH :
Over time, the pattern on your tire wears out and becomes unusable. Worn tires reduce the performance of the vehicle and increase fuel consumption. Using tires with a tread depth below 1.6 mm is dangerous for the safety of life and property. It is also prohibited by law and the penalty is banned from traffic.
Cargo Quantity and Mode of Loading:
Loading above the vehicle carrying capacity (payload) determined by the vehicle manufacturer causes your tire to heat up quickly, fail in the sidewall, shoulder and heel areas and wear out quickly. Unbalanced loading has a negative effect on tire life.
Brake Adjustment:
The brake system should be checked at intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Unadjusted brakes can cause uneven and rapid tire wear. In sudden and hard braking, the possibility of block-type wear increases as the force distribution will be different according to the tire.
Choosing a Suitable Tire for Vehicle Use:
Tires of the size and ply equivalent specified in the vehicle manual must be used. All tires of the vehicle must have the same structure. If tires with different structure, pattern and wear are mounted on the same axle, vehicle performance is adversely affected and the tire wears irregularly and rapidly.
Vehicle Speed:
As the speed of vehicle use increases, the temperature of the tire rises. For this reason, the tread rubber shows more wear than normal.
Road and Climate Conditions:
On uneven road surfaces and in hot summer months, the tire wears more than normal.
Driver Habits:
One of the most important factors is driving habits. Factors such as the maintenance level of the vehicle should not be forgotten.
Tire Inflation Pressure:
They are given in vehicle tire catalogs and vehicle equipment. Inflation pressures that are lower or higher than prescribed will result in tire life shortening and service disabling failures.
Overloading:
Vehicle loads are specified in vehicle catalogs and Road Traffic Regulations. Loads above the prescribed loads cause tires to fail, as well as vehicle mechanical parts and highways to deteriorate.
Driving Speed:
The maximum speed limit is indicated on the sidewalls of the vehicle tires. The tire speed group to be used on the vehicle is also given in the vehicle manual. This must be followed. Driving at high speeds not only reduces tire life but also increases fuel consumption.
Periodic controls:
The vehicle’s front-end settings should be at the values given in the vehicle manuals and should be checked periodically. Regular tire rotations, regular tire air pressure checks, and tire air pressure checks performed by knowledgeable staff at authorized service centers contribute to safety while providing long life to the tires.
20 GOLDEN RULES FOR USE
- Avoid high speeds on rough and stony roads. Also avoid sudden and hard braking, lifting the vehicle quickly and skidding. Otherwise, irregular and premature wear of the tires will occur..
- Avoid rubbing your tire against sharp curbs. Even slight damage to the cords that make up the body of the tire can cause major damage to the tire that can be dangerous if walked on.
- When driving, pay attention to potholes and bumps in the road and avoid parking on the sidewalk.
- Avoid high speeds in hot weather and with heavy loads. Hot weather makes it difficult for the tire to cool down after overheating due to heavy loads and high speeds.
- Avoid improper loading of your vehicle. Uneven load distribution may cause some tires to be overloaded, resulting in accelerated wear.
- Do not use tires with a tread depth of less than 1.6 mm. It is very important for safety to replace tires with a tread depth below this level, as it will be difficult for the tire to drain water and hold on to the ground, especially on wet ground.
- Eliminate vehicle and tire-related mechanical imbalances (unbalance, tie rod misalignment, etc.). Such mechanical misalignments can lead to uneven and premature wear of the tires, as well as reduced driving comfort and steering control.
- Use tires and wheels of the size approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Make sure that the tire and wheel sizes are compatible.
- Outer and inner tubes that are more than 5 years old from the date of manufacture should be carefully checked and used. If there are cracks on the tire, it should not be used.
- Visually inspect your tires before each use, if possible. If foreign objects such as nails, stones, glass, etc. are embedded in the tire, remove them. Have your damaged tire repaired immediately. Do not drive on the road with a tire that is damaged or whose air pressure is too low for any reason.
- All valves must be clean and capped in good condition. Valve caps prevent dust and similar substances from entering the tire.
- Always mount a tubeless tire on a tubeless rim. Never use a tubetype tire without an inner tube.
- Check the tightness of the lug nuts regularly. Loose lug nuts will result in uneven tire wear as well as reduced driving safety.
- Never exceed the speed and load limits indicated on the tire. Failure to do so may result in tire failure with very dangerous consequences.
- Install tires of the same size, construction and pattern on all four wheels of your vehicle. Using different tires, especially tires of different sizes and patterns, will have a very negative impact on vehicle and tire performance.
- Replace the rim valve or inner tube every time the outer tire is changed.
- Check tire inflation pressures every two weeks, and if the pressure has dropped, bring it back to the proper level. Be careful to measure and adjust the air pressure of the tires when the tire is cold, as the air pressure of the heated tire may increase. In order to reduce the air pressure rising as a result of heating, the tire should never be deflated.
- Never reduce tire air pressure in snowy and icy conditions, thinking that it will provide better traction. On the contrary, increasing the air pressure by about 3 PSI in such cases will help break up the snowy icy layer on the ground and increase traction.
- Rotate the tires every 10,000 kilometers. On radial tires, mount the front tires in the back and the rear tires in the front without changing the direction of rotation.
- For parking for more than two weeks, increase the tire air by 7.5 PSI and chock the vehicle.
MOUNTING / DISMOUNTING TIRES ON RIMS
Mounting and dismounting of tires on rims must be carried out in authorized services, with appropriate machines and hand tools by qualified personnel. The rim on which the tire is to be mounted must be free of dents, dings, cracks, oil, rust and contaminants. The rim size must be the size prescribed by the vehicle and catalogs. There should be no wetness in the tire, if there are foreign substances, they must be removed. During tire mounting, a specially developed lubricant or diluted soap solution must be applied to the tire heels and rim bead. Petroleum-based oils and silicone, detergent-like lubricants should never be used. At the end of installation, it should be verified that the tire is centered on the rim. Tire inflation air must be dry air free of moisture. It should be checked that there is no leakage from the valve of the inflated tire, and a valve cover with rubber gasket must be installed on the valves. If inner tube type vehicle tires are to be mounted, new outer tire, new inner tire and column must be added. The inner tube and column must be properly powdered before installation. New tires should not be matched with old tires. If the direction of rotation or outer sidewall is indicated on the tire sidewall, this must be strictly adhered to in the rim and intermediate mounting.
SOME TIRE PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE CAUSES
Uneven wear:Improper rod adjustment, misalignment of mechanical parts.
Reduced steering control:Low air pressure, worn tire.
Excessive wear of the tire shoulders:Low air pressure, bad rod alignment.
Excessive wear in the center of the tire tread, knocking and wobbling: High air pressure, unbalance, wheel / mechanical component misalignment, use of non-standard wheels.
Noise from the tires when cornering:Low air pressure.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TIRE CARE AND USE:
- Check the air in your tires at least every 15 days.
- Avoid hitting your tire on curbs and sharp surfaces.
- Always replace tires with a tread depth of 1.6mm.
- Never reduce the air pressure of your tire on snowy and icy roads.
- Regularly check the tightness of the lug nuts.
- Do not use detergents or polishes containing petroleum products to polish your tire.
- Avoid high speeds on uneven surfaces.
- Increase the air pressure by 2 psi for long journeys and when the vehicle is loaded.
- Also check the pressure in your spare tire regularly.
- In winter, a tread depth of less than 3 mm adversely affects traction.
- Keep the valve covers closed.
- Use tires and wheels of the size approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
Tire Selection
Cars move and stop according to the laws of physics. During these movements, the only element that ensures contact with the ground is the tires. The importance of the tire in controlling the car is too great to be ignored. Tires are vital for the driving safety of the car. An incorrectly pressurized tire can affect handling and braking, as well as cause the internal temperature of the tire to rise excessively and suddenly explode, causing the car to lose control.
Tire Tasks
Tires also contribute to comfort by absorbing impacts. Tires carry the weight of the car and the load, transfer the rotational moment created by the engine to the road and convert it into traction. They generate braking power for deceleration and lateral force for cornering and steering control. It also absorbs the forces generated by driving and ground disturbances thanks to its unique shock absorption properties. Regardless of the type of road pavement (asphalt, dirt, gravel) and the condition of the road (rain, mud, snow, ice), the tire’s job is to provide safe grip and steer the car in the direction the driver wants it to go. But today’s motorist expects more from a tire than just safety and comfort. They want a modern tire to produce less vibration and noise, have low rolling resistance and therefore consume less fuel. However, it is impossible for a tire to provide all of these features at the same time. One of these characteristics must be achieved without compromising the other.
Conventional and radial tires
Tires are classified according to their construction, tread pattern, rubber compounds and intended use. The geometry of the cord fabric used in the carcass structure of the tire determines whether the tire is conventional or radial. In conventional tires, the cord fabrics that form the structure of the tire are placed at 30-40 degree angles, on top of each other and diagonally. For this reason, conventional tires are also called cross-ply and diagonal tires. In recent years, advances in automobile tire technology have led to the abandonment of conventional tires and the use of radial tires. In radial tires, the cords that make up the carcass structure are placed at a right angle of 90 degrees from one bead to the other bead.
Advantages of radial tires
The most important advantages of radial tires over conventional tires are that they are more flexible, they heat up less and cool down more easily. In addition, the tread left on the ground by radial tires is wider than that of diagonal tires, so radial tires handle 20 percent better than conventional tires. Traction and braking safety are higher due to the larger portion in contact with the road. Radial tires have hard tread and soft sidewalls, which ensures that the portion of the tire in contact with the road remains the same width at all times. Radial tires are more resistant to ply and tread separation and are more successful in maintaining the line of travel on the road.
Steel belts
Radial casing tires are fitted with belts along the tread area in a staggered and diagonal pattern at angles of 15-25 degrees. The purpose of the belts is to increase the strength of the tire, prevent the tread from changing shape and increase the area of the tire in contact with the ground. There are two types of belts; those made of woven cloth are called drive belts and those made of steel wires are called steel belts. The fact that steel belts are more durable, safer and better adapted to high speeds has increased the production of steel belted tires.
Back pattern
To serve different purposes, tires are produced with different structures, different patterns and different rubber compounds. Car tires can be divided into two types according to their patterns: Standard tires and high performance tires. Apart from the normal types of these tires, there are also all-season and winter tire versions. The standard pattern tire is required to have good traction on dry and wet surfaces, adequate antiaquaplanning (rapid water discharge against aquaplaning) properties and safe cornering ability. Standard tires should be quiet, comfortable and have low rolling resistance. The patterns of all-season tires are designed to provide safe handling, safe braking and adequate traction on wet, dry, snowy and muddy surfaces. The most important advantage of all-season tires is that they can serve continuously in regions where all four seasons are experienced.
Winter tires
In regions where winter conditions are long and severe and roads are covered with snow and ice for a long time, experts recommend the use of winter tires. Silica technology, which has been used in winter tires that can transmit maximum traction and braking power to the ground in slippery conditions such as snow and ice with its cold-resistant rubber mixtures as well as its patterns, has increased the adhesion properties of the tire compound. New generation winter tires can also be nailed. An important point to be considered in winter tires is the speed series. In general, the speed series of winter tires are lower than standard tires. Even if the final speed of the car is high, the speed series of the tire should not be exceeded.
High performance tires
Cars with high engine power need performance tires to transfer this high power to the ground and to reach high speeds. Such tires have higher speed series such as V, Z, etc., compression ratios (low profile) such as 55 percent or 35 percent, and special rubber compounds that provide better adhesion to the road. Wide-based high performance tires need to handle well in dry and wet conditions and corner well. The lifespan of high performance tires is 20 percent shorter than standard tires (depending on usage) because they are used at high speeds.
Please pay attention to the following points about your vehicle, vehicle control and tires for a safe and comfortable drive.
- Do not drive at high speeds on rough and stony roads.
- Avoid sudden and hard braking and skidding as a result of fast starts. Otherwise, irregular and premature wear will occur on your tires.
- Do not rub the edges of your tires during parking maneuvers. Because damage to the wires that make up the body of the tire can cause major malfunctions.
- Watch out for potholes and bumps in the road. A speeding pothole will damage your wheel rim.
- Be careful when loading your vehicle. Uneven load distribution and overloading can put more stress on your tires than normal, which can lead to rapid wear.
- Taking care of your balancing and tie rod adjustments will always save you from higher maintenance costs.
- Use tires and wheels of the size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- The date of manufacture is written on the tires and tires that are more than 5 years old should be carefully checked and used.
- Making a habit of visually inspecting your tires before setting off is essential for your safety.
- Tire valves must be clean, intact and capped. Because valve caps prevent dust and similar substances from entering the tire.
- Check the tightness of the lug nuts regularly, because loose lug nuts reduce driving safety.
- Never exceed the speed and load limits printed on the tire.
- Install tires of the same size, construction and pattern on all four wheels of the car, except as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Check the tire pressures. If the pressure is low, restore it to the appropriate level following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.