Tyre Maintenance Schedule
Each tyre has distinctive markings on its side wall. These markings are not only valuable information for the tyre manufacturer or reseller, but can give the buyer or potential buyer all the information they may need to specify the right tyre for the right application. The information gives almost all the information you may require from sizes, date of manufacture, whether they have passed stringent tests and certification, the speed those tyres may travel fully inflated and what loads they may carry.
Tyre treads are divided into different sections as seen in the figure below. A proper tread design improves traction, improves handling and increases durability. It also has a direct effect on ride comfort, noise level and fuel efficiency. Believe it or not, each part of the tread of your tyre has a different name, and a different function and effect on the overall tyre. Your tyres might not have all these features, but here’s a rundown of what they look like, what they’re called and why the tyre manufacturers spend millions each year fiddling with all this stuff.
Sipes are the small, slit-like grooves in the tread blocks that allow the blocks to flex. This added flexibility increases traction by creating an additional biting edge. Sipes are especially helpful on ice, light snow and loose dirt. Grooves create voids for better water channelling on wet road surfaces. Grooves are the most efficient way of channelling water from in front of the tyres to behind it.
