Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 18:50:27 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Tire- Smoe realities and some choices.
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The recent tread on tires is good especially for newbies to the list.
The subject of tire aging is particularly important for vehicles that see
limited use and long periods of storage. In particular, tires that are
stored outside,
Exposure to sunlight and leaving the tires in puddles, ice is especially
hard on them.
No matter how hard you try a tire failure is inevitable. Tire failures can
be brought on by road hazards, abuse, and various structural failures.
Good tire selection and maintenance will reduce the possibility but you
will not 100% avoid it.
Many people are under the impression that if a tire has tread and holds
air, it must be good to ride on. Tires need to be regularly inspected,
checked for wear patterns and even balance on a regular basis. Tire
imbalances are also an indication that the tire can be failing internally.
Truck tires and reinforced tires are more prone to tread separations and
sidewall failures due to the heating and rubbing actions of the increased
plys. Steel belts and steel reinforced sidewalls can be affected by
moisture absorption which can cause the belts to rust which will pull
apart the layers and cut the cords or end caps.
Tire should be taken off the rims and inspected internally after any of
the following event:
Run flat or under inflated such as after a puncture or operated after a
slow leak.
Any sign of overheating such as a discolored sidewall.
Any impact such as a large pot hole or curb hit.
If used off road and aired down for traction on any rocky or tree lined
terrain.
You want to inspect for any signs of the tire changing shape, internal
separations, breaks in the inner liner and any bulges or bubblesand any
signs of discoloration.
The most common on road tire failures are air outs, (punctures), blow outs
usually caused by a sidewall “zipper” failure, and tread separations.
The sidewall and tread separations are usually the result of current or
past tire overheating caused by under inflation and/or overloading. Aging
is also be a contributor as the oil dry out, moisture penetrates and glue
bonds fail.
Now that we discussed tire failures, the real trick is knowing what to do
when a sudden failure occurs.
Don’t panic and don’t slam on the brakes. In fact, accelerate hard without
forcing a down shift if you have an automatic. This is true even on a rear
wheel drive. The power will help over come the sudden resistance of that
failed tire and help you maintain direction.
After gaining directional control, reduce speed gradually, do not pull off
onto a soft or angled shoulder until your speed is slow enough that you
can caist to a safe stop.
This sounds sick but for those with non skilled drivers have them
practice. When getting ready to buy tires, make one flat and go for a
drive. Yes destroy one (hopefully on cheap wheels). Learn what to expect
and what you can and can’t do for control. Don’t do this too long on a
Syncro as the VC won’t like it. It is a skill that should be had just like
driving on ice and snow.
Dennis
