Tyre technology

As the only contact between your car and the road, tyres have a vital role to play, not only in providing a comfortable ride, but also in helping maintain safe and controlled manoeuvrability for your vehicle. Here we look at some of the different types and the effect they have on your vehicle.

Different types of tyres and their construction

There are a number of materials, construction and manufacturing methods used to create different types of tyres, each of which can alter your vehicle's performance. Here we look at some of the most common:

Bias tyres (also known as a cross ply) - This type of tyre uses body ply cords that extend from bead to bead usually at angles of 30-40 degrees. The design allows the body to flex easily producing a smooth ride on rough surfaces.

Belted bias tyres - These feature two or more bias-plies that are bonded beneath the tread. This provides a smooth ride similar to the bias tyre but with improved performance.

Radial tyres - This uses body ply cords extending from the bead across the tread so the cords are at right angles to the centreline and parallel to each other with stabiliser belts underneath. The advantages include longer tread life, lower rolling resistance and better steering control; although, radial tyres can be harder to ride at low speeds on rough roads.

Solid tyres - Manufactured from solid rubber and plastic compounds, solid tyres are mainly used on lawnmowers, skateboards and golf carts.

Pneumatic tyres - The most common type of tyres, they are made of a flexible elastomer material, such as rubber, with reinforcing materials including fabric and wire. The first tyre was made by John Boyd Dunlop for his son's bicycle to prevent him having headaches on rough roads.

Semi-pneumatic tyres - They have a hollow centre and are not pressurised. Generally they were used for mowers and wheelchairs but have also been made for automotive applications, such as the Tweel, an experimental design by Michelin, with an outer casing that's rubber but an inner casing that includes special compressible polyurethane springs. This means they can't go flat and they provide resistance to cornering forces. However, they have not yet been made widely available.

Additional tyre technology innovations

Tyre performance can also be influenced by a number of additional technologies, such as:

Tread - A general term for the part that comes into contact with the surface, treads are often designed to meet specific needs such as mud and snow tyres; all-weather tyres, etc.

Contact patch - This is the area of tread in contact with the road surface and transmits forces between the tyres with road friction. The length-to-width ratio of the contact patch affects steering and cornering.

Rain groove - A design element of the tread pattern that is meant to channel water away from the footprint.

Rolling resistance - This is the resistance to rolling caused by deformation of the tyre. One of the latest innovations in tyres is low rolling resistance tyres which minimise the energy wasted as a vehicle rolls down the road. According to a California Energy Commission Study, low rolling resistance tyres could save around 1.5-4.5 per cent of all petrol consumption.

Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle is important, not only in terms of performance, but also in reducing the risk of accidents. Investing in the right tyres could even save you money by helping you steer clear of accidents therefore building up a no-claims discount on your car insurance which could reduce premiums by as much as 60 per cent.