Tread Pattern

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) creates the standards for all motor vehicle tires. Tires rated for mud and snow use will have one of the following markings on the side of each tire: MS, M+S, M/S, or M&S. To achieve this classification the tire has to meet certain design criteria. It must have multiple pockets or slots in one or more of its treads that extend to the center, a minimum of ½ inch. The tire also needs to have a cross-sectional area across of 1/16 inch or more and an angled tread pattern of at least 35 degrees and no more than 90 degrees toward the rotational direction. The last requirement is an open void area of 25 percent of the tire’s surface area. Many mud tires far exceed these minimum requirements in their tread pattern.

The angled tread pattern, or lug, and open void area are key in providing grip and cleaning the tire. Lugs or in some mud tires, paddles, provide traction in muddy surfaces. Mud fills in the open areas and provides resistance and traction to keep you moving. The size and type of lugs/paddles vary – there are hundreds of brands and styles. The bigger and more aggressive the tread, the better the tire is designed to work in mud. As the tire rotates out of the mud the angled tread is also designed to let the mud escape. If thick mud is stuck between the lugs you might start to loose grip and the tire will just spin in circles. This feature is called self-cleaning lugs and is designed to clean the tire with each rotation. Another feature many mudders have is sidewall lugs. Since the tire usually sinks in the mud the more areas that can provide grip, the better, and that includes side wall lugs. Most off-road tires and mud tires have strong sidewalls to survive damage from rocks and debris. Also a stronger, stiffer sidewall will help support the tire if you’re running lower psi – which can help add more traction off road.

Tire Size

The second key point that helps mud tires is their size. In this case bigger is better. Bigger tires provide better float, they get you higher out of the mud – if your entire tire is below the mud, they cannot clean and then there is probably too much resistance working against them. So for mudding – bigger is better. But how big can you go? That depends on your vehicle and if you’ve done any suspension modifications. Many off-roaders install body lifts or suspension lifts to allow larger tires to be installed. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved mud tires can get up to 54 inches in size according to Doug Shaw, Director of Parts at GoAuto. He also states that each state has their own motor vehicle laws, and they all vary, be sure to check what is legal in your area. In standard sizes mud tires can range from 30” on up. Using bigger tires is extremely helpful when mudding – they provide better clearance, improve grip, and can help you float through mud better.

Tradeoffs to Mud Tires

The first trade off to mud tires is the more aggressive the tire the worse they handle on pavement. Since they have big open voids to help clean they have a small contact area with the road. The second tradeoff is size – while it’s a benefit off road, on road it raises concern. Bigger tires are more expensive. They can cost more than $500 per tire, while you find cheap mud tires, they are usually more expensive than regular all-season tires. Bigger tires also put more strain on your engine and drivetrain, this results in lower gas mileage and more wear. For many people these tradeoffs are worth the performance advantage mud tires give. There is a right tread pattern and size for every driver out there.

About the author: James is an auto enthusiast who writes for GoAuto.ca, a Canadian dealer network willing to do whatever it takes to help with your automotive needs. Stock images provided by Shutterstock.com

As usual over the past quarter we see Bridgestone and Dunlop flagship tires battling it out for the overall rating category. The latest survey results show the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 taking over the no.1 spot from Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec.

1. Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
2. Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
3. Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08
4. Hankook Ventus R-S3 Tire
5. Kumho Ecsta XS
6. Bridgestone Potenza RE960
7. Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST CTT Tire
8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT Radial
9. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT Tire
10. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT (See Special Offer on this Tire)
11. Toyo Proxes 4PLY
12. Kumho Ecsta MX XRP
13. Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 Tire
14. Bridgestone Potenza RE960
15. Bridgestone Potenza RE070R R2 RFT Tire

Tire performance ratings have been summarized in the 4 tables in this post. The ratings below shows user scores out of a maximum 10 filtered by comfort, dry performance, wet performance and overall ratings.

fig 1. Tires Ratings based on Comfort Ride

Max Performance Summer Tires

Tires specifically designed for maximum handling and dry and wet street traction. Low profile, high speed tires, developed designs, and unique materials with precision manufacturing techniques.

1 Continental Conti Pro Contact SSR
2 Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
3 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
4 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A II RFT
5 Hankook VENTUS V12 EVO K110
6 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position
7 Nankang NS-1 High Performance Tire
8 Pirelli PZero High Performance Tire
9 Continental Conti Sport Contact 3
10 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
11 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx High Performance Tire

fig 2. Tire Ratings Based on Dry Performance

fig 3. Ratings Based on Wet Performance

fig 4. Overall Ratings of Tires

Cars are how people get where they need to go, and maintaining one’s car is a sure way of making sure not to get stranded at the most inopportune time. One of the biggest components of a car is the tires, and ensuring the tires are of high quality is just as important as making sure they are properly maintained. Quality tires can vary depending on the type of vehicle they are used on. Top quality tires for a sports car are obviously going to be different that a good set of tires intended for an off-road vehicle. When choosing tires for a vehicle it is also important to take into consideration the type and amount of use the vehicle will sustain. For example, the environment the tires will be subject to, the distance they routinely travel, the vehicle type, the road conditions, and the desired lifespan all play a vital role in deciding what tire brand and type to purchase for a car.

Quality Tires

Picking a quality tire often can start with a good brand. Some quality tire brands for daily driver passenger vehicles include Goodyear, Michelin, Dunlop and Bridgestone. These brands offer quality tires for use on everyday cars and won’t bust the bank in price. There are also other higher quality tire brands that may cost more, but provide even better tires that often are used in more punishing environments than daily driver tires. These brands can include Pirelli, Falken, Cooper and Toyo. These brands typically are more expensive, but may provide a longer life, more reliability, and improved road performance.

Considerations and Who to Ask

When choosing a tire there are many elements to help decide what tire needs to be had. Environment and weather takes a very large role. A car that is subject to snowy conditions in the winter time is going to need a different kind of tire than a car that is subject to arid and hot conditions that one would find in a desert setting. The type of vehicle also plays a part. A sedan is going to need a different tire in comparison to a truck, and a sports car that is subject to performance demands is going to differ from a car that travels off-road. When trying to decide what tire is needed, it may be best to consult a profession. A tire retailer can assist in deciding what tire type a car will need as long as they know what vehicle the tire is going on and what the driving habits of the car’s owner are like.

Why to Choose Quality

There are many tires and brands out there that skimp on quality to provide a car owner lower costs, but sacrificing quality for price is not always the best solution. An important component such as a tire needs to be made with the best materials and manufacturing methods so that a vehicle is less subject to flats, blowouts, and other dangerous situations which may place driver and passengers at risk. Also a tire with lower quality tends not to last as long as a higher quality tire, so even though the initial price may be lower, having to replace the tires more often will tend to cost about the same.

About the Author: Sharon Dyer is the Morgan Law Firm Outreach Director and a frequent blogger on a variety of subjects. See her recent article on Travis County divorce on the firm’s divorce blog.

One way that people have been recycling their old tires is making them into pieces of artwork. If you don’t think you have the talent, time or desire to create the next great work of art then just place an ad in a local classified section and more than likely an artist will contact you. Recycled tires can make beautiful pieces of art such as statues, vessels and abstract pieces.

Did you know that fashion accessories can be made of recycled tires? Some purses, shoes and even pieces of jewelry started out as tires on someone’s vehicle. These items have a unique look to them and can be a fashion statement that ultimately helps to save the environment.

Some people are taking their old tires and creating furniture with them. It is easy to take an old car or truck tire, wash it thoroughly and add a leg base and top to create an interesting table. The tire can be painted to create even more visual appeal. It is a weekend project that almost anyone can do to keep that tire out of the dreaded tire pile and add an interesting piece of furniture to their home.

Old, worn out tires can be used for planter boxes or raised beds in a garden. A smaller car tire will hold a few plants and create an interesting landscape. Old tractor or large equipment tires can be larger than some gardener’s hand built raised beds. These large tires can be recycled instead of using the common materials for creating a raised bed for a garden. Fill them with dirt and plants and you have a recycled garden.

Turning tires into rubber mulch for landscaping is another option. This mulch lasts a lot longer than the traditional chipped wood variety. It doesn’t decompose because tires don’t decompose. This type of mulch is a popular choice for playgrounds because it also causes less damage to knees and hands when someone falls on it.

There are so many uses for old, worn out tires and so many ways to get those tires to where they need to be in order to be recycled into something useful. It just takes a little looking and asking around. Someone you know has the information on where to take that old set of tires for recycling.

The days of seeing the huge piles of black rubber should be long gone. The way we used to do it was a fire hazard, a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other vermin and simply not the best for the world around us. Recycling old tires into usable and beautiful things just makes sense for us, the environment and the world.

Jason is an environmentally-minded car freak. He’s also a freelance writer and content contributor for we buy cars.

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Changing the tires on motorcycle can make a world of difference to how good it looks; knobby tires on off-road enduro-styled machines, or reproduction vintage tread pattern tires on classic or retro-styled bikes really complete the overall look. In each case, the manufacturers recommend tire option, or an aftermarket equivalent from a quality tire maker, will be more suited to normal road conditions that most riders will encounter 99% of the time.

Chunky, knobby tires work well in mud and other off-road environments, but on tarmac they don’t allow as much grip due to less rubber being in contact with the road surface. This means the braking and cornering ability of a bike fitted with this type of tire will be compromised. That’s not all though; chunky off-road tires also generate more noise and decrease gas-mileage compared with more conservative dual-sport tires.

Tire technology has advanced a long way since the 1940s and 50s.

Motorcyle Tires

Classic bikes handle surprisingly well on modern rubber, even if modern tread patterns don’t have that same nostalgic look. Tread designs have been improved and optimized to give the best road-holding, wet weather performance and tire life. Some vintage tread patterns in particular can behave unpredictably on seams and gaps in the road surface, so it’s always a good idea to stick to tires that have been tried and tested with the motorcycle in question.

There has been a trend over the last few years on cruiser or chopper-styled motorcycles for ever larger rear tires. While some may think a massive rear tire looks incredibly cool, it doesn’t necessarily make a motorcycle handle particularly well. The wider the rear tire, the more effort is required to heel the bike over, as the extent of the contact patch is farther from the center of the wheels vertical axis. This effect, combined with the raked out front-end geometry of most choppers can spell disaster if unexpected events necessitate a quick change of direction, all the more reason to check out MotorcycleInsurance.com to get a good insurance policy to complement those cool tires.

Tire Changers are an advanced piece of technological equipment that make the task of mounting and dismounting tires a whole lot easier. While the majority of people consult an auto garage to do this job for them there is a substantial amount of people who prefer doing it themselves. Automatic tire changers consist of many components which enable it to remove and replace tires from the wheel. As technology further advances we now have tire changers that can replace a large variety of tire types including low profile tires.

Coats xxxw-coa6000 Truck Tire Changer for Tube or Tubeless Tires

The xxxw-coa6000 is a truck tire changer for tube or tubeless tires and it is a heavy duty tire changer machine which can function with rim diameters in between 15 inches to 38 inches. The external design of the xxxw-coa6000 looks like this:

>> Click For the Latest Tire Changer Prices <<

As you can see in the image this tire changer features easy to use hydraulic controls, a dual direction hydraulic motor and a hydraulic clamping chuck. This particular model is an excellent choice for those on a budget as it is a relatively low cost tire changer that provides quality and durability. The 6000 series models provide a variety of options as they are capable of functioning with tires that have the two piece bolt inner liners and the typical flat tires with heavy wide walls.

This particular model provides fault free performance with its silky electro-hydraulic power and it is easy to use with its swing arm hydraulic controls which are further complemented by a dedicated lever for each function. It is well protected with a pressure bypass valve which ensures that the hydraulic system does not overload. Furthermore, the drive system is designed so that you can easily remove any type of tire without excess torque being experienced. This tire changing machine is certainly a worthwhile investment as it will save you time and energy on a regular basis and with its very affordable price it is definitely a tire changer that cannot be overlooked.

Closer Look at the xxxw-coa6000

A basic break down of the names of the components on this 6000 model is provided in the picture below:

This tire changer consists of common components found in most automatic tire changers and replacement parts can be found in most auto garage stores.

The core components of this machinery are as follows:

Bead starting tool – provides the basic function of releasing the tire bead from the rim and is designed so that it does not do any damage to the tire.

Five foot pry bar – used to pry the bead from the wheel when it is clamped in position.

Air pressure system – used in the last stage of the process to pump air into the tire.

Additionally, some of the optional equipment available for this model is as follows:

Offset Roller Assembly – Assists in removing various tires including off road wheels.
Tractor Tire tee – Required to remove larger single piece skidder wheels.

An essential procedure found in tire changers is that of clamping the wheel. The Coats 6000 has made this process as simple as possible and broken it into five easy to follow steps. Similarly, the bead loosening process is also quite easy to follow and has been clearly explained in the instructions booklet. The procedure for wheel mounting and dismounting has also been explained in depth and is relatively easy to follow along.

The instructions booklet for this model is unlike other tire changers and goes to great lengths to properly explain safety procedures and the functions of every control system to give the user an in dept analysis of how it all works in an easy to follow guide. Additionally, the pressure settings and precise configuration of the components is all detailed in the guide to provide the user with all the essential information required to fully utilize the capabilities of the Coats 6000.

Overall, the components of the xxxw-coa6000 are durable and very high quality. The build quality of this machine is extraordinary and the fact that it accommodates both tube and tubeless tires means that it is a great all round machine that is very competitively priced. Furthermore, the added tool carriage under the wheel provides support for varying widths which further adds to the all round ability of this tire changer. The tool carriage also includes three sockets to cater for the bead loosening disc. The fact that this tire changer was specifically designed for large sturdy truck tires means that it can handle the vast majority of tires with its rock solid build and processing power. Additionally, the heavy tapered roller bearings provide strong support for the chuck thus giving you a smooth drive system allowing you to remove the tire.

Conclusion

• Support for both tube and tubeless tires
• Functions with a wide variety of tires
• Easy to use controls
• 12 month warranty
• Safety components to prevent Hydraulic overload

Overall, the coats 6000 is an absolutely stunning piece of machinery that is at the top of the range in the automatic tire changers range. With the build and design quality of this tire changer it really is a bargain for its price. Combined with its easy to use controls, safety precautions and heavy tapered roller bearings this product delivers excellent performance.

Additionally, the range of tires the 6000 model can accommodate is quite revolutionary and provides you with the comfort of changing any type of tire hassle free on this machine. There are generally flaws in many other tire changers whether it be design or performance flaws, however, the coats 6000 virtually has no flaws to it. A thorough look at its component durability, design and performance there really isn’t a downside to it in any aspect whatsoever. In addition to that, replacement parts for this machine are available in abundance as it uses standard build components which can be found at most auto barns.

Also, the Coats 6000 is a low maintenance tire changer which really is quite reliable and expected to function flawlessly over a long period of time. The fact that it accommodates for both tube and tubeless tires puts the coats 6000 in an exclusive brand of tire changers as the all round capabilities of this machine are rarely seen elsewhere.

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