The bead of a tire is the part that makes contact with the wheel rim. At the center of the bead is the core, which is made up of a bundle of steel wires embedded in rubber. This provides a safe and solid seating of the tire on the rim.

A tire generates enormous centrifugal force at high speeds, so even tiny irregularities of only a few grams can affect its safe performance, and that of the vehicle. To counteract the effect of these weight differences, we balance each wheel by adding small counter-weights at the appropriate points on the rim. A wheel should be balanced every time a tire is put on it.

When the road is wet, your tires will often make less contact with the road surface. In extreme cases, your vehicle may "hydroplane," or actually glide on top of the water. Hydroplaning can drastically reduce your ability to control your vehicle. The tread patterns on tires are designed to channel water away from the tire surface. However, the effectiveness of the patterns can be reduced dramatically as vehicle speed increases. The best way to guard against the dangers of hydroplaning is to adjust your driving speed to the weather and road conditions.

Tire Wear

Question: What are some of the signs of uneven tire wear?

Answer: Tires often show symptoms of wear or other problems in plenty of time to have the cause corrected. Look for these signs:

• A sawtooth appearance on the edges of the tire. This is usually caused by erratic scrubbing against the road when a tire is in need of a toe-in or toe-out alignment correction.
• Faster wear on the outer edges than in the middle. When a tire is underinflated, a greater percentage of the outer tread makes contact with the road, causing that outer tread to wear faster than usual. Avoid this problem by keeping your tires properly inflated.
• Faster wear of front or rear tires on front wheel drive vehicles. The rear tires on front wheel drive vehicles may wear irregularly due to the light loads on the rear axle or misalignment of the rear axle. Regular tire rotation will minimize uneven wear. The front tires on front wheel drive vehicles may wear faster than the rear tires because they carry most of the weight and do most of the work. To encourage even wear, have the tires rotated so all four tires wear at approximately the same rate. Check your owner's manual for the recommended amount of time between rotations.
• Excessive wear on one side. Camber, or toe-in misalignment, which places too much of the work on one side of the tire, is usually to blame for one-sided wear. An alignment correction is required.
• Cups or dips in the tread. Many things can cause this kind of irregular wear. Misalignment or worn suspension components are the most likely causes.

Tire Replacements

Question: Do the new tires I'm about to buy need to be the same size as my current tires?

Answer: Never buy replacement tires that are smaller than your vehicle's original tires. Smaller tires may not be able to support the loaded weight of the vehicle. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation - or the approved options - recommended by the vehicle or tire manufacturer.

Question: Can I mix tire types on my car?

Answer: Driving on different tires (different size designations, constructions, amounts of wear, etc.) may affect vehicle handling and stability. For the best all-around performance, use the same type of tire on all four wheel positions. Special purpose tires (such as snow tires) can be used to improve performance in some applications. Other tires (such as speed-rated constructions) may also have special matching requirements. A Mountain View Tire representative can provide the specific information you need.

Question: Can I mount a tire on a wheel myself?

Answer: Tire mounting is a job for those with the proper equipment and experience. If you try to do the mounting yourself, you could seriously injure yourself and cause damage to the tire beads and rim.

Question: Do my new tires require any special treatment?

Answer: Your new tires may feel different from your old tires. You should drive carefully until you're familiar with their performance and handling. Take special care when braking, accelerating, cornering, and driving in the rain. Those are the times when any differences will be most noticeable.

Maintenance and Driving Habits

Question: What type of car maintenance can increase tire life?

Answer: Correct vehicle alignment is a must, so have it checked periodically. Improper alignment cannot only lead to excessive tire wear, it also can increase your car's fuel consumption. Tires and wheels should be balanced dynamically (rear wheels as well as front).   Off-the-car computer balancing is recommended.

Question: What should I do if I notice a vibration?

Answer: A vibration is an indication that something needs attention. If addressed promptly, a minor adjustment may correct the vibration. If neglected, the vibration could cause accelerated wear or damage to tires and steering and suspension components. Whenever a vibration is present, the tires should be checked for irregular wear. The type of wear can determine the cause and probable correction of the vibration.

Question: Can my driving habits affect the service life of my tires?

Answer: Absolutely! To increase the life of your tires, avoid the following:

• Fast starts and panic stops
• Driving too fast on curves and around corners
• Riding on the edge of the pavement, driving over curbs, chuckholes, or other obstructions

All these actions generate additional stress on tire sidewalls and shoulders and can lead to premature wear or even tire failure. Road hazards are also a leading cause of shortened tire life. Hitting road debris or obstacles and driving over curbs can cause tire damage, including visible cuts in the tread and sidewall, and hidden internal damage that can lead to greater problems later. Hitting road hazards also can jar suspension and steering components out of alignment, which leads to tire wear.

You can learn a lot about your tires from reading the sidewalls. The alphanumeric code may seem like hieroglyphics at first, but once you know what each section stands for you'll be a smarter tire shopper.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death during winter storms. So, if you should ever find yourself driving on snow or ice-covered roads, remember these tips.

Listen to the forecast before you leave. If you know a bad storm is on the way, you may be able to delay your trip or chose an alternate route that might not be hit as hard.
Watch for ice. Take extra care when driving on bridges and overpasses; they're typically the first parts of the road to freeze over. Also, remember that black ice can be anywhere. Black ice is that icy coating that allows the color of the road to show through, making the ice very difficult to see.
Slow down. The consequences of driving too fast on slippery roads are never worth any time you might save by speeding. 
Stay alert. Make sure you're aware of other drivers around you.

Since its invention many thousands of years ago, the wheel has come a long way. For one thing, wheels are no longer made of wood, so there's no doubt the ride is much smoother these days. What hasn't changed is the fact that the wheel is still one of mankind's greatest inventions. Can you even imagine modern life without it?

The early wheel was very simple: a solid curved piece of wood. Leather was eventually added to the edge to soften the ride. As time progressed, wheels became solid rubber, which led to today's technology - the pneumatic, or air-inflated, radial tire.

Your tires are the only part of your car that touches the road when you drive, so taking good care of them is very important to the safe operation of your vehicle. By investing just a few minutes each month you can extend the service life of your tires and keep them working their best.

Tires are not just simple black rubber circles that are stamped out at a factory. They're sophisticated products that can take years of research and development to produce. If you've ever wondered how tires are made, read on.

Driving in the rain can be dangerous. In fact, thousands of car accidents are caused by wet driving conditions each year. So, it's a good idea to check your tires before you hit the road, especially if you know you'll be driving in the rain. Here are a few reminders.