The Startling Truth about Tires and Breaks

By Dave Trux

I was taught a very long time ago that the most important safety feature of a car is the tires. Let’s face it, how good are your brakes when your tires are bald and sliding around in the rain? Your car’s stopping ability is determined by your tires, NOT your brakes.

There are three key elements to tire performance: Tread pattern, tread depth and air pressure.

Tread pattern is what the tire actually looks like on the surface. There are grooves running this way and that. A tire should be purchased that fits your driving profile. Most California drivers can get away with just about anything but other regions require winter and non-winter tires. What’s important in California is wet weather traction. Channeling and siping (miniature slits) help to remove the water from between the tire’s tread blocks and the road surface.

Tread depth is important for wet weather traction since deeper grooves will remove and channel more water at a given speed. Naturally, the tire will wear throughout its life until the tread exposes the “wear bars,” which are small bumps approximately 2/32” high located randomly within the grooves of the tire. Generally speaking, when they are exposed the tire should be replaced.

Air pressure is what gives the tire strength to resist wear and determine load capacity. There is a pressure on the side of the tire. It is only there to provide maximum load capacity pressure. An average tire will handle approx 3,000 lbs at max pressure. Your car probably does not exceed 3900 lbs, which is spread across 4 tires. We get into trouble by NOT checking air pressure often enough. In California it is against the law to service a car without checking air pressure.

Making sure that your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth is a key to driving safety. Pressure should be checked at least once a month, more often is better. Drive safely and make sure your tires are in good condition. At Valley Motorwerks, we will check any brand of tires for free because it’s simply that important.

Editor’s notes: Dave Trux is the owner of Valley Motorwerks in Rancho Cordova, CA. Their address is 11403 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova, CA, their phone number is (916) 636-9526 and their website is www.vmwerks.com.