Tyre Development
Many tyre manufacturers spend up to two years on tyre development. So how much technology can really go into your car tyres? Well the answer to that is a lot. Once a tyre is produced, every small change in the design or tread pattern will result in an another two weeks of a computer analysing information, and computer simulation is incorporated every step of the way to ensure that the tyres are perfectly formed. All UK tyres have to meet very high European standards and these are again put through their paces with all classes of tyres, be it van tyres or 4×4 tyres.
All tyres are tested to destruction and are spun at over 300mph during testing, although this test will only last for a few minutes. Each different type of tyre will require different types of tests, for example a 4×4 tyre will require off road tests to make sure it is capable off road and on road.
Tyre variables include tyre construction, shape, the carcass material, rigidity and these all play a part in the making of the tyre. Changing just one of these will have an effect on the tyre, hence the reason that it can take a tyre manufacturer upto two weeks just to tweak a part of the tyre.
Other factors that the tyre manufacturers have to consider is the type of vehicle that the tyre is for. A luxury vehicle will require low road noise and great performance. On the other side a smaller car may be after cheap tyres as they will not necessarily want to spend as much on their tyres.