Knowing
more about your tire helps you save more. Having the right inflation
pressure, proper wheel alignment, and constant monitoring of tire wear
to ensure the lowest tire cost per kilometer is achieved.

The pneumatic tire out-performed the solid tire
because it is fundamentally a toroidal (doughnut) shaped flexible pressure
vessel. It is the contained air - not solid rubber - that carries
the load.
Today's tires are high technology products which are
manufactured in various constructions and a vast range of sizes but they
still have to carry out the same four basic functions. These are:
- |
Safe and realiable |
- |
Quiet running |
- |
Free of vibration disturbances |
- |
to last much longer and run at far
higher speeds |

Pneumatic tires are currently made in two
fundamentally different constructions - bias ply and radial ply.
BIAS PLY
Bias ply tires have casings made from
layers of 'plies' of parallel textile cords which run diagonally from bead
to bead. The cords are arranged so that alternate layers are on the
opposite hand and cross each other at an angle of between 70 and 80' to
form a trellis like structure.

RADIAL PLY
Radial ply tires have the casing cords
run directly from bead to bead radiating outwards like the spokes of a
wheel.
Because the cords do not cross each
other the casing is more flexible. The structure is stabilized by a
belt formed of layers of cords laid right around the casing just under the
tread rubber. The belt cords are placed at a low angle to the
centerline of the tread and alternate layers cross each other at angles
ranging from 30 to 45'.


There are the four basic tire tread patterns:
Type |
Rib |
Block |
Rib-Lug |
Lug |
Pattern |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Profile |
Grooves flows along the circumference of
a tire. |
Patterns in which individual blocks are
arranged. |
Combination of rib and lug patterns. |
Grooves flows in a lateral direction. |
Feature |
1) Superb driving stability
2) Fewer rolling resistance.
3) Fewer noise generation.
4) Superior water drainage performance.
5) Less skidding |
1) Excellent drive and braking forces.
2) Superb driving stability on normal paved road. |
1) Rib-type pattern acts to increase
driving stability, and to prevent skidding.
2) Lug-type pattern acts to transfer traction drive
and braking forces effectively. |
1) Excellent drive and braking forces.
2) Stronger traction force.
3) Better resistance to cut. |
Applications |
Best for driving on cemented roads and
highways. |
Good performance when driving on normal
cemented roads. |
Suitable for driving on normal cemented roads and
uncemented ones at a middle/low speed. |
Suitable for driving on normal cemented roads, and
uncemented ones, suitable for work sites such as a building site. |

On the sidewall of a tire, its size, performance,
etc. are shown by using numerical symbols.
Passenger Car Tyre
185 / 65 R 14
86 H |
185 |
Section Width
(millimeter) |
65 |
Aspect Ratio (%) =
Sidewall Height computed as 65% of 185mm |
R |
Radial Construction |
14 |
Rim Diameter (inch) |
86 |
Load Index |
H |
Speed Sumbol |
Truck Tyres
10.00 - 20 18PR |
10.00 |
Section Width (inch) |
- |
Bias Construction |
20 |
Rim Diameter (inch) |
18PR |
Ply Rating |

SAFETY FIRST
Make sure that you choose the proper tire based on your application.
Understand the Load capacity and speed limit of your tire.
Choose brands that passed the quality standard of the government. (For
Philippine residence, check the ICC or PS markings)
COST PER KILOMETER
Cost per kilometer would be a good consideration in choosing your
tire. It would make no harm to try different brands as long as they
give warranty and has passed government quality standards. Try
to make an index card for each tire. Record the life span of the
tire in terms of mileage. It would be better if you could have a hub odometer
installed on your tire. After obtaining all the data, compute its
cost / kilometer.
WORD OF ADVICE
Every fleet is unique. Try to find the most suitable tire for
you. Don't hesitate to experiment. Tire technology improves
everyday. Many brands are being introduced every now and then.
Road condition differs each year. It would be wise to find the right
tire for your operation. After finding it, do not stop entertaining
new brands. You might find something better. In return, you
save more.