According to studies, the average steering wheel is four times dirtier than a public toilet seat. There are many other frequently touched areas in your car that are likely just as dirty. It is vital to keep the interior of your car clean to prevent the transmission of viruses and other harmful germs. Keep reading further to learn how to deep clean your vehicle the right way.
Step 1: Remove Debris
The first step toward deep cleaning is to remove the trash, debris, and unnecessary stuff that might be a hindrance while cleaning various surfaces. This also includes emptying the storage compartments, door pockets, seat pockets, and trunk space.
Step 2: Remove Dust and Mold
Vehicles are an easy host for molds and bacteria because they offer a perfectly sealed environment to grow faster in comparison to open air. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and clean any heavy debris from all surfaces. Be sure to vacuum the carpet, seats, dashboard, roof, and trunk. Remove the floor mats, shake out and vacuum.
Step 3: Clean/Replace the Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter is responsible to filter the air circulating inside the vehicle. It is recommended to change the cabin air filter every 6 months or 10k miles (more frequently if you live in a big city or a densely populated area). An overused cabin filter usually gives out an unpleasant smell if mold has accumulated in the filter. A new filter reduces the entry of irritating allergens, pollution, and unhealthy mold into the cabin air.
Step 4: Choose Car-Safe Disinfectants
Most car cleaning products and wipes safely remove dirt and dust but don’t prove successful in removing germs. Soap and water used with cotton or microfiber cloth is an easy alternative. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is recommended to clean the surface with soap and water for 20 seconds, just like washing your hands. You can also use disinfecting wipes or at least 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitize your car's surfaces.
Step 5: Sanitize Touch Points
It is essential to keep the bacteria and viruses away from the “high touch” areas of your car. Be sure to sanitize these spots:
Step 6: Clean the Upholstery
Cloth and vinyl seats are safe to be cleaned with mild soap and water mix. The same mixture can be used on the carpets and to clean spots and spills on leather-trimmed interiors. Most car leathers and imitation leathers have urethane coatings for protection, which are safe to clean with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. But over time, cleaning leather with alcohol can leave it susceptible to damage and discoloration. Apply leather conditioner after cleaning leather to preserve moisture and durability. Don’t oversaturate the carpets or cushions. This would leave the surface wet for a longer period of time and would be at risk of building molds and mildew.
Step 7: Clean the Car Exterior
It is quite easy for a car's exterior to get dirty if you drive your car daily or park in an open air parking spot. Although deep cleaning the car’s exterior is not necessary, a clean exterior helps protect the car’s paint and make it look fresh. Automatic car washes are the least time-consuming way for an exterior wash. However, hand cleaning is the best way to avoid over-scrubbing the car’s paint from machine washing.
Other Considerations:
Frequently cleaning your car helps to minimize germs and maintains the value of your car. To make the cleaning activity fun, pair it with your favorite music playlist and some drinks on the side. Kick-off these germs in style!
]]>The speedy pace of current advancement in the tire industry is going to change the way we utilize tires. One such advancement has been led by Cerebrum Intelligent Tire Technologies by delivering real-time data from tires using sensors. This technology not only helps in the safety of daily drivers but also fetches raw data that is used in the technical advancement of the tires for better performance and handling.
]]>Some of the unavoidable symptoms of a faulty air conditioning system are:
AC is blowing warm air
So your AC is set to the coolest level but it is only blowing moderately cool air or not cool at all. You could be dealing with leaking refrigerant, faulty condenser or compressor, restricted flow of air over the condenser, or a damaged cooling fan.
Foul Smell
You turned on the air vents and experienced a foul smell. This means your AC filter needs replacement. It is easy for mold and mildew to build up on the filters which create this foul smell. It is essential to keep the filter clean to avoid allergies from contaminants stuck in the filter.
Leaks
Leaks are the most common problem associated with the AC system.
Check for the following to make sure they are secure:
Still not sure? Check these components:
AC Compressor
When diagnosing the AC components, It is a good idea to start with the compressor. Pop up the hood and look for the compressor. It is the only belt-driven component with a clutch. If you see a pulley that is not spinning but the belt around it is moving, that’s the compressor. The center part of the pulley does not turn unless the clutch is engaged.
If the clutch is engaging and disengaging once every few seconds then this is a sign of low refrigerant. If the compressor doesn’t turn at all then there is something wrong with the compressor. Now that you know what the issue is, the next step is to check the pressure. It is advised to get the pressure check using special tools by a mechanic.
AC Condenser
The AC condenser looks similar to a radiator. Air flowing through the condenser helps to cool down the hot gaseous refrigerant. The cooled refrigerant in the liquid state goes to the evaporator and absorbs more heat from the hot cabin air. This whole system needs to be air-tight. A tiny hole would leak the refrigerant or contaminants from the compressor could block the flow of refrigerant. It is easy to detect visible holes or clear damage in the condenser. One way to detect small leaks is by spraying water and heavy soap mixture on the condenser and fittings.
AC Accumulator / Drier
Depending on the model, a vehicle might have an AC accumulator or a drier. Its job is to absorb moisture from the AC system. Physical damage might lead to desiccant material entering the AC system. A refrigerant leak can cause over-saturation of the desiccant material, which would damage the compressor. The accumulator is a cylindrical-shaped component located between the condenser and evaporator. A faulty accumulator could be identified if there is a rattling sound during operation, noticeable refrigerant leak, or moldy smell when the AC is ON.
AC Evaporator Core
AC evaporator - as discussed earlier - cools down the hot cabin air with the help of refrigerant. A common cause of evaporator failure is wear and age. Some of the symptoms of a faulty evaporator are uneven cooling and a strange odor in the air coming out of the vent. A strange odor is typically due to the leak of refrigerant into the air coils of the evaporator.
Now that you’ve equipped yourself with a basic understanding of the functionality and common failures of the AC system, you can determine if a repair is within your ability or better suited for a professional. Either way, it’s time to get that AC system repaired!
]]>Let's talk about common debris that is found on the road.
Tire Gator
The truck tire pieces that are left on the road after a tire blowout are often referred to as tire gators. These are common sites on the freeway because high speed makes it more likely for a blowout. Tire gators are big pieces of debris that can attach to your tire and fly off. This could hit other vehicles, pedestrians, and animals.
Glass
Broken windshields and headlight glass from accidents are common sites on the road. Driving over a broken glass can cause multiple punctures in the tire, causing a flat tire or a blowout. It is usually difficult to fix tire damage from glass. Do not brake suddenly or swerve to avoid broken glass as it could cause slipping and loss of control of the vehicle.
Tree Branches
It is pretty common to see tree branches, twigs, or even whole trees on the road after strong winds and blizzards. While some of the small twigs and sticks are easily passed over, it is advised to not take risks by passing over large branches as they can cause serious issues. These branches are strong and can easily puncture the tire. Splintered wood can bounce off the road and hit other vehicles.
Steel Plates
Steel plates are frequently used at road construction sites to cover up ditches or unfinished roads. Although these plates may seem to be harmless, they can cause damage to your tires and rims when passed over at high speed. These plates are considerably thick and the edges are fairly sharp.
Potholes
Another very common hazard on the road is potholes. Hitting a pothole can damage your tire and bend the wheels. The safe way to approach a pothole is to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, slow down and drive around the pothole. If this requires changing lanes to avoid potholes, always use a turn signal.
Vehicle Parts
It is common to see mufflers, hubcaps, and bumpers on the road. These parts may have fallen from an old vehicle or from a vehicle that is not properly maintained or from an accident. Hitting something like this could cause severe damage to your tire and the vehicle. These parts can become airborne on hitting and cause injuries to you, your passenger, or other drivers.
]]>What is Tire Recycling?
Much like any consumer product, tires have a lifespan. When they have worn out all of the usable tread, they are usually dumped in landfills. Tire recycling is an environmentally friendly way of disposing of used tires. Recycling the tire rubber provides a new lease of life. Knowing when it is time to change tires is critical and Cerebrum Intelligent Tire Sensors keep you updated on the healthy tread life of your tires. Our convenient application provides notification on your mobile application for when the time has come to put on new tires and recycle the old ones.
Why is Tire Recycling Important?
Tires in landfills act as a breeding ground for rodents and mosquitoes which can spread diseases. Tires are made up of synthetic rubber and therefore are non-biodegradable. It is estimated that a tire could take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. Disposed tires trap methane gas and could create a notorious fire that is difficult to extinguish. With the already increasing summer bush fires throughout the world, disposed of tires act as fuel.
Speaking of tires as fuel, there is one positive point to this. Used tires can be used as Tire-Derived-Fuels (TDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels. With the increasing scarcity of coal, used tires are a great alternative. A single tire contains approx 5 gallons of oil, produces over 25% more energy than coal, and therefore is more energy efficient.
How to Recycle Tires?
The easiest way to recycle tires is to search online for the tire drop-off depots in your neighborhood. In some cities, you can also find household waste recycling centers. Wherever you plan to drop off your tires they are going to end at the same final destination, which is the processing plant. Here they are cut into smaller pieces for ease of handling. The shreds are processed to remove tire wires and other contaminants. The rubber is cleaned with water and specialty agents. The end product is distributed to other factories for various purposes such as Tire-Derived-Fuels (TDF), manufacturing rubber shoes, animal beddings, sports field mats, and asphalt rubber.
Extracted fiber and nylon (which make up 15% of the tire) can be used for the manufacturing of fiberglass, cleanup materials, concrete, and caret. Rubber from used tires can also be shaved and used in creating sealing products and plastics.
DIY Ways to Recycle Tires
Tires are very durable even after they are worn out. One common use of old tires is by using them as a tire swing. Tires can also be bolted together to make a tire ladder. This is a cost-effective way of leveling up the play area for your kids.
Some other creative uses: Old tires can be used as a garden hose caddy to protect from damage, large old tractor tires can be used as a sandbox for kids to play, and also as garden planters, outdoor furniture, and decorative ornaments. Research shows that tires release toxic chemicals into the surrounding area in the long term when exposed to other elements. Due to this, It is recommended edible plants are not grown in tire planters.
Hundreds of years of industrialization, consumption of fossil fuels, and disposal of toxic waste into the rivers, ocean, and landfills have intoxicated the environment at an alarming level. Don’t forget that it is each of our responsibility to protect the environment. We should pass on the Earth in a healthier condition for our future generations to enjoy its beauty.
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Symptoms of Low Oil Pressure
Oil Warning Light or Oil-Pressure Gauge Light
Whenever there is an oil pressure drop or significantly low oil level in the car, the car will immediately display a warning light on the dashboard. This could be an engine check light or an oil-pressure gauge light depending on the issue.
Smell of Burning Oil
A burning oil smell indicates that there is likely an oil leak. That leaking oil is probably hitting on the hot surface of other components in the car, which results in a burning smell. If you experience a burning oil smell while driving, It is advised to safely pull over to check the oil level of your car. Consult the technician for further maintenance.
Diminishing Engine Performance
Low oil pressure means your engine won’t be getting enough oil to deal with the friction generated by the movement of pistons and other moving parts of the engine. In such conditions, the engine is working much harder and the performance of the engine will decline. You could also experience burning through your gas tank faster, engine stalling, and losing power while driving.
Engine Overheating
Increased friction due to low oil pressure creates more heat between the moving parts. If not dealt with quickly, engine overheating could turn into a much more complex issue such as coolant fluid burning and the radiator burning. The normal engine operating temperature is in the range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. The engine heat gauge on the dash does not display the exact engine temperature. Instead, the gauge has a marking for cold and hot on the edges. The gauge indicator stays in the middle during the normal operating temperature range of the engine. It’s a cause of concern if you see the gauge indicator more than three-quarters from the cold side.
Engine Noise
One other very obvious sign of low oil pressure is weird noises coming from the engine. The friction of moving parts with not enough oil for lubrication creates knocking, grinding, ticking, and whining noises.
Causes of Low Oil pressure
Low Oil Level
Low engine oil is the most common cause of low oil pressure and is also easy to fix. Every vehicle has the recommended miles after which the engine oil needs to be changed. It is because the oil gets dirty and might also lose some volume with time. For older vehicles, which are prone to oil leaks, it is important to regularly check the engine oil level.
Dirt or Debris in the Oil Pickup Tube
The oil pump picks up the oil from the oil pan via a pickup tube. Accumulation of dirt or debris in the tube or tube screen can cause low oil pressure. It is important to check the tube passage and change the clogged tube and tube screen when needed.
Oil Leak
Another common cause of low oil pressure is an oil leak. It is easier to visually see the external oil leak in the vehicle. All you need to do is look underneath the car while it is parked. If there is a leak it will be visible on the ground. External oil leaks are relatively easier to fix but would still need a technician's assistance. Internal oil leaks can be tricky to detect and fix. Such leaks could happen due to worn-out piston rings, valve failure, and valve seal failure.
Oil Filter Issue
Dirty oil could clog the oil filter and result in low pressure. The oil filter also has a pressure relief valve which when damaged would allow the oil to freely pass through. This creates low pressure. It is recommended to change the oil filter every time with an oil change.
Oil Pressure Gauge Issue
Like any other mechanical part, the gauge can eventually fail and provide the wrong pressure reading. Once you have checked every possible cause for the oil pressure drop and still could not figure out the issue, getting the pressure gauge tested is recommended if other symptoms exist.
Engine Wear
Camshaft and crankshaft bearings in the engine wear down from friction and heat. The hole through which they seat widens and leads to oil escaping out of the chamber. This creates low oil pressure.
Oil Pump Issue
Oil pump failures can happen due to inadequate oil levels, oil contamination, or incorrect installation of the pump itself. Oil pumps also wear out with time and usage.
Oil Viscosity Issue
Using the recommended oil for the vehicle is important to maintain the right viscosity of the oil. It is one of the important factors for proper oil pressure. Using a high viscosity oil would restrict the easy flow of oil creating high pressure and using a low viscosity oil would be able to flow faster and create a low pressure.
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Engine Protection and Engine Life
Your car is hit with debris, water, mud, sand, countless bugs, leaves, and other things. You would not want this stuff to get inside your engine. The engine air filter stops all these unwanted particles from getting into the engine. In time the engine filter becomes blocked and restricts the airflow. Depending on where you drive, the air filter can get dirty or blocked earlier than the recommended filter change time.
The combustion chamber of a gasoline engine is a sealed compartment where fuel and air are the only working substances. Involvement of any foreign objects other than air and fuel can result in serious damage to the cylinder, piston, and piston rings. Even a small amount of dirt or sand could be very harmful. The filter helps to trap all these foreign substances to keep the engine safe for a long period of time.
Engine Performance
Engine needs air in the combustion chamber to perform the combustion process. It would be ideal to say that the engine breathes air to burn fuel and produce power to propel the vehicle. The quality of the airflow depends on your filter. A dirty air filter would affect the performance of the engine. A blocked air filter would eventually paralyze the engine. A new air filter helps in improving the acceleration and can lead to lower carbon emissions. Making your engine more efficient and clean running.
Low Cost, Big Impact
Air filters might not be the first thing that comes to your mind when talking about vehicle maintenance but is an important part of any vehicle. They are inexpensive, small, and easy to change. If you are not afraid to get your hands dirty then you don't need a technician to change your air filter. Yes, it is that easy! Also, going for a higher-end air filter would last longer and save you money in the long run.
Fuel Economy and Lower Emissions
Clean and unobstructed air plays a vital role in improved engine efficiency. A clean air filter can help boost the fuel economy by 14%. Although it might seem like a small number, it would end up saving you money every time you fill-up. Less airflow in the combustion compartment would result in an air-fuel mixture that has a high concentration of fuel. This in turn will result in higher carbon emission. There is a risk of making your spark plugs dirty and an increase in engine deposits. This can also turn ON the check engine light. That’s the ‘scariest’ warning light on your dashboard. Keep your filter clean to avoid costly repairs.
Change When Needed
How do you know when your vehicle needs a new filter? The vehicle maintenance schedule varies based on the make and model of your vehicle. It is, however, a good idea to check the user's manual to find out when you might need an air filter change. There are also some symptoms that you can look for, this includes a noticeable decrease in the gas mileage or ignition problems.
Depending on how much you drive, the air filter needs to be changed accordingly. If you drive a lot, you would need to change the filter often. If you don’t drive much then the filter will last much longer. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to change the filter if you don't drive a lot. The filter may still appear to be clean when it is dirty, depending on the type and color of substance caught in it. Most car manufacturers recommend replacing the air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, regardless of whether an air filter appears to be clean.
As you can see, there are so many benefits from a clean air filter. If you haven’t checked your vehicle’s air filter in a while then it is time to check it out. You might be missing out on the true performance and efficiency of your car.
]]>Tire blowouts usually come as a surprise. Although it is hard to prevent flat tires 100%, there are certain things that can help you save some costly repairs. Staying ahead of general tire wear and regular tire maintenance can be of great help. In this article, we will talk about how driving on a flat tire can negatively affect your vehicle and how to prevent such situations.
Causes of flat tire
Flat tires usually occur from causes that are not under our control. This includes punctures from foreign objects like screws, nails, glass, slow leaks, and road hazards such as potholes and poor road construction. Tire conditions can also be a cause of unwanted tire blowouts. Paying frequent attention to tread wear and tire pressure can be very useful in this case. That's where Cerebrum Smart Tire Technology comes into play. Tires installed with Cerebrum Sensors are capable of notifying unhealthy tread and risky tire pressure. It also reports slow leaks and the distance the tire could travel safely before it loses all the drivable tire pressure.
How far can you drive on a flat tire?
It is never a good idea to drive the vehicle on a flat tire but it may be the right thing to take your vehicle at a safe distance, away from other vehicles. If you experience a blowout while on the road, turn on your hazard lights, avoid braking and slowly direct your vehicle to the safest location. Use the user manual to change the tire with the spare tire and take it to the nearest tire shop to get the new tire installed by a technician. If you don’t have a spare then calling an insurance company is a good idea.
Some cars are equipped with run-flat tires, which allow you to drive for 50 miles at 50 mph. Make sure you know what type of tires your vehicle comes with. Run-flat tires are a lifesaver in case you get a puncture in a secluded area where you can't find a tire shop or technician for help.
What are the outcomes if you drive on a flat tire?
Further Tire Damage
Getting a flat tire does not bring your tire’s life to an end - unless you keep driving on it without repair. Small punctures and air leaks are usually reparable. Continued driving at low pressure or a punctured tire would expand the puncture and damage the integrity of the tire construction.
Bent or Warped Rims
Driving on flat tire transfers the weight of the vehicle on the rim’s edges. Rims are not supposed to touch the road surface. This metal part can get bent, warped, or permanently damaged.
Vehicle Damage
Continuous driving on a flat tire would eventually degrade the tire and start affecting the several essential components of the vehicle such as brakes, rotors, suspension parts, calipers, and fenders. This would increase the safety concern of the driver and passengers. This could result in a very high cost to fix which might not be covered by the insurance company.
Safety Hazards
Tires are responsible for multiple functions in a vehicle. It not only keeps the vehicle rolling on the road, but also provides proper traction to have a good grip on the road and avoid slipping. Tires carry the entire load of the vehicle, helping you to take turns, accelerate and stop as you wish. Driving on a flat tire makes you lose control of the vehicle handling. Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensor gives notifications for overloading of the tire and helps you to take proactive actions.
Proper Tire Care
Implementing basic tire care practices can be of great help in the long run.
Cerebrum Smart Tire technology gives real-time notifications for load, pressure, temperature, and alignment hazards to avoid any mishappening.
Visual inspections:
Other helpful tips:
Check out the revolution in tire care from intelligent tire sensing technology offered by Cerebrum Tire Sensors, which works with any tire type or tire brand in the market. Be safe out there!
]]>Importance of a car battery
The battery provides the necessary power to help start the vehicle. It does this by converting the chemical energy into electrical energy and delivering this electricity to the starter motor that starts the engine. Without the battery, the starter motor would not get the required power to do its job.
How does a battery function?
Most vehicles are equipped with a lead-acid battery. The chemical reaction between lead and acid releases energy and this energy is stored inside the cells in a battery until your vehicle needs it. It is then converted into electrical energy to power your car.
Once the engine is up and running, the car’s alternator sends the electrical energy back to the battery and this is then converted back to chemical energy. This means the car’s battery is rechargeable. But this loop process fades with time as the battery becomes older. On average, a battery would last 3 to 5 years, but factors such as driving habits and exposure of the battery to extreme elements can shorten the battery life.
How exactly does a battery work in a car?
We already talked about how the battery transfers the electricity to power the starter motor which starts the engine. But there are a couple of more steps that take place in between. Upon receiving the power from the battery the starter motor engages with a gear that is then connected with a bigger gear, also called a flywheel. The starter motor turns the flywheel which runs the crankshaft and helps start the engine’s combustion process. Once the combustion process is started, the starter motor disengages and its job is complete.
The engine’s serpentine belt runs the alternator which supplies the electricity while the car is running and also charges the battery. If the vehicle is using more power than what the alternator can provide, in this case, the battery provides the backup power. If the vehicle uses the backup power of the battery too often or for too long then there are risks of draining the battery.
Signs it’s time to replace your car’s battery
A healthy battery can be recharged by the alternator but an old battery struggles to do so. There are various signs that could help figure out the time to replace the batteries.
Next time when your vehicle struggles to start and shows any of the above signs, you know it’s time to get a new battery. Contact your technician to get the right battery size and fit for your vehicle.
]]>Why Are Lightweight Wheels Important?
Wheel weight becomes part of your vehicle’s overall weight. Heavier cars need more engine power to accelerate and more braking power to decelerate. It might also impact the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle.
Some benefits of lighter weight wheels are:
Sprung Weight & Unsprung Weight
Sprung weight: It is the weight of the vehicle that is directly supported by the suspension system. This includes the motor, chassis, transmission, body, and interior, as well as the cargo and passengers.
Unsprung weight: It is the weight of the vehicle that is not supported by the suspension system. This consists of axles, wheels, tires, hubs, brakes, assemblies, differential, and anything directly connected to the wheels.
Weight Distribution In A Wheel
Weight distribution in the wheel can have a serious impact on performance and handling characteristics. This is reflected by a thing called rotational inertia. So, what is rotational inertia? It is the resistance force needed to change velocity. A wheel with higher rotational inertia needs more power to actually start moving than the wheel with lower rotational inertia. Now the question is how to keep the rotational inertia of a wheel lower. Well, the answer is in the weight distribution of a wheel in its design. Wheels with more centered weight to the hub results in much lower rotational inertia than the weight distributed at the rim or lip of the wheel.
Another simple way to understand rotational inertia is to think of spinning a weight attached to a string of a couple of inches long. It will be easy to start spinning the weight but what if the string length is increased to 2 feet? Yes, it will be fairly difficult. The same principle applies to the weight distribution distance from the hub.
Effect Of Wheel Weight On Performance
We have already discussed that heavy vehicles are harder to accelerate and decelerate, reducing the wheel weight is the easiest and the most cost-effective way to reduce the ‘unsprung’ weight of the vehicle. There is a lot of physics involved in the impact of this change, but ultimately the suspension becomes more responsive and does its job efficiently.
It is said that adding a single pound of unsprung weight on a drag strip race car has the same effect on performance as adding two or more pounds of sprung weight.
Imagine two Camaros, one installed with small 30 lbs wheels each and the other with bigger 50 lbs wheels each. Let's discuss in detail all the performance indicators in these two cars.
Acceleration
In order to get the Camaro with lighter wheels moving, the engine would have to spin only 30 lbs wheels which would require less power. This would put less strain on the engine and result in more responsive acceleration.
On the other hand, the engine would require more power to move the 50 lbs wheels, putting more strain on the engine, resulting in slower acceleration.
Braking
Just like the engine, the brake system would have to work hard to bring the 50 lbs spinning wheels to a halt. More weight means more moment of inertia from a spinning wheel and hence, more time to bring the spinning wheels to a complete stop. This will increase the stopping distance and wear the brake pads fastest than the lighter 30 lbs wheels.
Cornering & Ride
It is easy to experience the dramatic effect of heavy wheels while making a turn or hitting a pothole or a bump. Let’s say you are driving down the road and hit a bump. The bump reacted with a 2g force. If we talk about a 30 lbs wheel, the wheel will experience a 60 lbs force in the Z-axis. But a 50 lbs wheel will experience a 100 lbs force in the Z-axis. This force is supposed to be absorbed by the tire, wheels, springs, and suspension system. The heavy wheel would exert more force on the suspension and hence, the passenger would feel a bigger bump. Over time, your suspension system will experience more wear.
Fuel Economy
It won’t be a straightforward answer if we say that heavy wheels reduce fuel economy. The answer depends on the driving style. If a vehicle is usually driven on a freeway then heavy wheels would not affect the fuel economy much but if the vehicle is driven in the city with frequent stops then the heavy wheels would impact the fuel economy. This is because in city driving the engine is frequently applying more power to get the heavy wheels moving from a stop position.
If you install lightweight wheels on a hybrid or other efficient vehicle, you will notice a significant improvement in performance. If we combine lightweight wheels with energy-efficient tires that will lower the rolling resistance and would improve the fuel efficiency even further.
Now whenever you are out shopping for new wheels, you know what to look for to get the best performance from your vehicle.
Some of the most important factors to be considered while evaluating tire life expectancy include:
Treadwear rating
Different tires have different treadwear ratings. A higher treadwear rating means the tire will generally last longer. When comparing the treadwear ratings it is recommended to compare Treadwear grades on tires from the same manufacturer.
Tire Type
Softer rubber provides a better grip on the road. But the drawback is that these soft rubber tires wear at a faster rate. The tire rubber composition is decided based on the usage condition of the tire. High-performance tires wear out faster than an all-season tire.
Road Condition
A smoothly paved road causes less wear to the tire tread than gravel and dirt roads. If you use an all-season tire in an off-road condition then it will drastically reduce the tire's expected life. For the same reason (among others), off-road tires have thick tread and wider groves to withstand harsh terrains.
Driving habits
Fast starts and stops create more friction and heat at the contact patch and therefore cause faster tread wear. This issue is more prevalent now with electric vehicles that possess a high amount of torque. Smooth pressure on the brake and gas pedal results in uniform acceleration and helps in increasing the life of the tire.
Terrain
A tire experiences more tangential force and friction while pulling the vehicle uphill. Going downhill the tangential force decreases. Uneven terrain accelerates the tire wear process.
Drivetrain
Most economy passenger cars are front-wheel drive. That means the power from the engine is directed to only front tires. This causes the front tires to wear faster than the rear tires. This is the reason it is advised to rotate the tires every 6 to 8k miles. Swapping the front tires with the rear tires creates more uniform tread wear. It is the opposite with rear-wheel drive vehicles. All-wheel drive and automatic power distributed vehicles might show more uniform tread wear and might not require tire rotation that often, except perhaps from the driver’s side to the passenger’s (if the tread is asymmetrical). It is therefore recommended to get the tire visually checked by the tire technician every month for clear answers. To avoid a hassle, install the Cerebrum Sensor smart tire sensor to check intelligent analytics that updates all the tire-related issues in a mobile application.
Tire Aging
Most of the tire manufacturer’s warranty expires at 6 years. Wondering why? This is not an arbitrary number. Tires lose their performance capabilities and their structural integrity starts to degrade after the 6-year mark. Tires are manufactured with anti-aging properties called antioxidants that help the tire to stay soft and grippy. With time, the air still permeates the tire rubber walls and results in the oxidation process that causes the tire to lose strength and becomes brittle. Also known as Dry Rotting. Another factor for tire aging is exposure to heat. Research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that tires age faster when exposed to the warm climate and under direct exposure to sunlight. This accelerates the oxidation process and makes tires brittle.
Now you know about all the important factors that are responsible for reducing the tire life expectancy but the tire loses rubber even at the most ideal conditions. The legal limit for minimum tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. This doesn't mean tires are perfectly safe if they have 3/32 of an inch left. This is simply a legal limit at which you won’t pass the tire safety inspection. Based on the average yearly mileage of 12k miles for American drivers, the tread may wear down to 3/32 of an inch in 3 to 4 years.
How To Extend The Tire Life?
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Benefits of Nitrogen:
In contrast, nitrogen in your tires may result in:
Drawbacks of Nitrogen:
Now that you know a little more about nitrogen vs. compressed air, which will you choose for your tires?
]]>Tire Balancing
Tires appear physically round and perfect but as you add mileage to them, tiny imperfections begin to develop. These imperfections are both in the shape and weight distribution of the tire. A single tire could have a tread depth difference of one-eighth of an inch from the side of the tire to another. This in turn results in the weight difference. As the tread wears down further the combined weight imbalance of the tire and wheel would become more pronounced. Imbalance in the weight distribution creates vibrations while driving. Sometimes such vibrations could be felt at the steering wheel or at the vehicle flooring when the car is driven at a speed higher than 50mph. These vibrations could further lead to excessive tire wear, suspension damages, and loose attachments in the mechanics of the vehicle.
It is recommended to get your tire balanced every 5k miles. This helps to extend the tire’s lifespan and improve its performance. During this process, the wheel with the tire is mounted on a spinning machine that detects any minute weight imbalance. The machine locates the imbalanced spots and the technician installs small counterweights to achieve a properly balanced tire and wheel assembly.
Even when you are changing to brand new tires, it is required to do tire balancing. This is because even with all the modern manufacturing techniques we have today, it is practically impossible to manufacture a new tire and wheel assembly perfectly balanced.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment (also known as tire alignment) has little to do with the tires or wheels but more with the vehicle’s suspension system that connects the vehicle to its wheels. Wheel alignment benefits include improved vehicle handling, fuel efficiency, and tire life.
Signs that your vehicle needs an alignment fix:
It is recommended to get both tire balancing and wheel alignment done at the same sitting every 5k miles. The wheel alignment can also get off after an accident, driving into a curb, or driving over a pothole.
Every vehicle has its own standard alignment settings that are recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. There are three ways the wheel is aligned:
Toe Angle
Toe angle refers to the angle of the tires in relation to one another when viewed from the top view. This is the most common form of misalignment. If your tire refuses to travel in a straight line when you take your hands off the steering wheel then at least one of the wheels have toe misalignment.
Camber Angle
Camber angle is the measure of the centerline of the wheel/tire relative to the road surface when viewed from the front. Camber angle more than the recommended setting in either positive or negative direction can greatly affect the handling dynamics of the car.
Caster Angle
Caster angle is the measure of how far behind or forward the steering axis is to the vertical axis when viewed from the side. It is not easy to notice your vehicle’s caster angle being off. Improper caster angle makes it difficult to maintain the straight line travel of the vehicle.
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Investigate and listen
The best way to narrow down the problem area is by observing the condition under which the vibration happens. This will help you and your mechanic to find the problem sooner. Some of the things to look for are:
Wheel and tire problems
The most common reason for a car’s vibration is the misalignment of the tire or wheel. You may experience vibration through the steering wheel, vehicle floor, seats, or even in the brake pedals. This occurs due to an out-of-balance tire or a defective tire. Uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, and out of round tires are also some more contributing factors. A wheel itself could be a problem for vibration. A bent wheel or improperly torqued lug nuts causes wobbliness.
One way to check the misalignment is by taking your hands off the steering wheel and checking if your vehicle starts to “drift”. If it does then it's time to get the alignment fix.
Most of these issues could be avoided by routine inspection such as checking the tire pressure, visual inspection of tires and wheels, and checking the proper tightness of lug nuts. Regular maintenance should include tire rotation, pressure check, wheel balancing, and alignment.
Suspension parts, engine and transmission problem
Loose steering systems or suspension parts can cause steering vibrations. Worn-out ball joints cause misalignment of wheels and result in steering vibrations. If you experience vibration while you are driving and continue when the vehicle is at a complete stop with the engine running, then the problem area is the engine or transmission. Loose or broken engine parts and suspension could be an issue in this case. An out-of-balance broken radiator fan is also a possibility but this happens very rarely. These radiator fans are automatic and switch On when the coolant temperature reaches a particular level. If you experience vibration when the engine is warmed up, the fan may be the issue.
Damaged brake rotors
If there is vibration in the steering wheel and in the brake pedals at the same time then brake rotors may be a culprit. Brake rotors are a disc-shaped component of the braking system connected to the wheel. During braking, brake pads apply pressure on the rotor and slow down the car. Worn-out brake pads heat up the rotor unevenly and result in deformation.
A thickness variation or excessive worn-out rotors may vibrate the brake calipers when you step on the brake pedals. This vibration travels upwards towards the steering wheel and to the brake pedals. Worn-out brakes could result in abrupt brake failure in case of an emergency brake situation. It is highly recommended to get the entire braking system inspected by your trusted mechanic to avoid any mishappening.
]]>Fact:
Reality: Recommended tire pressure for a vehicle is provided by the vehicle manufacturer and not by the tire manufacturer. The tire pressure displayed on the sidewall of the tire is the max pressure that the tire can hold. Most of the vehicles have the recommended tire pressure displayed on the placard located at the driver door side panel. If you have the Cerebrum Intelligent Tire Sensors mobile application set up already, then you can check the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle by going to the ‘Vehicles’ and then selecting the ‘Set of tires’. Choose your current set of tires and it will display all of the tire information.
Myth 2: Tires with the same size designation have the exact same dimensions.
Fact:
Tires from two different brands may have the same tire size listed but often they don’t have the same dimensions. Even the same tire make, model, and size can show variations! This is because every brand uses its own tire technology that slightly changes the tire construction. Continuous improvement in tire designing might create some differences in the tires of the same size within the same brand. It is important to check for tire dimensions especially while tire mixing in a four-wheel-drive or All-wheel-drive vehicle.
Myth 3: All-season tires can be used as a replacement for snow tires.
Fact:
All-season tires are made to provide enough traction to withstand summer and winter weather. But there are some compromises made, the all-season tire doesn’t work as well as a winter tire in wet or winter conditions. Winter tires have a wider groove and flexible rubber to make better contact in wet conditions. Although all-season tires perform better than summer tires in wet conditions it doesn’t mean they can be used as a replacement for snow tires.
Myth 4: I don’t have to check my air pressure unless the TPMS warning light comes ON.
Fact:
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It is designed to provide a warning for low tire pressure to avoid tire failure. It does not assist in monitoring or maintaining the recommended tire pressure. TPMS lights come ON when the tire pressure falls below 25% of the recommended tire pressure. This means the tire pressure could go low enough to harm fuel efficiency and CO2 emission long before a TPMS light comes ON. It is therefore advised to check tire pressure at least once a month to avoid such losses. To be completely worry-free you can install a Cerebrum Intelligent Tire Sensor that tracks all the important tire metrics and displays them on a user-friendly mobile application. Including real-time tire pressure, tread depth, and a lot more.
Myth 5: AWD vehicles don’t need all 4 tire replacements at once.
Fact:
It is recommended to replace all 4 tires no matter what kind of drive system a vehicle has. Things become more complicated when it comes to AWD and 4WD vehicles. Replacing only 2 tires or less than 4 tires with such a system can damage them. This is because AWD and 4WD systems work on the principle of slippage. Large tread depth differences in the tires would result in different spinning rates. This could damage the system over an extended period of time and cause premature tire wear if changed at different times.
Myth 6: As long as tires have enough tread, it is safe to put them into use.
Fact:
Tire tread depth is an important factor to measure tire condition but that's not the only thing to consider to get optimal performance from the tires. The other main factor is the age of the tire. It is recommended to replace the tire after 6 years regardless of the tread depth left. Old tires could develop cracks due to ozone depletion from exposure to heat and UV rays over a long period of time. Tire’s rubber molecules change with time and old tires could even lose structural integrity.
Myth 7: The life of a spare tire is the same as that of a regular tire.
Fact:
Spare tires are designed to be used during an emergency situation only. These tires have restrictions over speed and psi, the information for which could be found in the vehicle’s user manual. Spare tires have less contact patch and are composed of a low-grade rubber compound that does not provide enough traction. It is advised to only use the spare tire when there is no other option left and there is a need to drive your car to a tire technician.
Myth 8: Bold defined tread patterns give a car better traction
Fact:
Tread grooves in the tires are meant to channel water and other semi-solids out of the contact patch area. In dry conditions, tread patterns actually reduce the traction. Ideally, a plane contact patch area without any groves provides maximum traction in dry conditions, hence the use of race slicks. This allows maximum contact area with the road.
Myth 9: When replacing only two tires in the car, the new ones go on the front.
Fact:
It is much safer to install the new tires at the rear because it will give more resistance to the rear tires towards hydroplaning in wet conditions. Front tires in this case would experience less resistance towards hydroplaning and would create a condition of understeer.
Installing new tires at the front will create a condition of oversteer in wet conditions. Oversteer is much riskier than understeer. It is easier to control understeer by simply taking the foot off the gas pedal, the vehicle will slow down and tires will regain traction.
Myth 10: You can tell if the tire is low by looking at it or by kicking it.
Fact:
It is not possible to predict the underinflation of the tire by kicking it. The pressure of the tire even in the condition of underinflation is enough to keep it rigid. Visual inspection may lead you to believe the tires are properly inflated even when they are underinflated. The recommended means to check the pressure of the tires is via an air pressure gauge. Another smart way is to get your tires equipped with Cerebrum Tire Sensor and get the real-time pressure display in the mobile application.
]]>Reaction Distance
Reaction distance (thinking distance) is the distance traveled by the vehicle from the moment the driver realizes there is a need to stop to the moment the driver actually applies the brakes. The average reaction time of the drivers falls between 0.5 to 2 seconds, but this time can change based on various factors like:
Braking Distance
Braking distance is the distance traveled by the vehicle from the time when the driver actually applies the brakes to the time the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Braking distance depends on various factors listed below.
Stopping Distance
Stopping distance is the combination of ‘Reaction distance’ and ‘Braking distance’ of the vehicle. Although this distance depends on various factors discussed earlier, a typical stopping distance for a passenger car at various speeds is displayed below.
How does tire tread depth impact stopping distance?
We are pretty familiar with the fact that the tires are the only physical means by which the vehicle makes contact with the road. The contact patch of the tire is responsible to provide the traction to convert the braking force into stopping force. Without proper tread depth, the tires lose their capability to traverse through various road conditions involving water, mud, sand, and debris. Lower tread depth creates a shallow passage through the grooves and mud, sand and water could not find a way to escape. This creates the condition where the tire loses the rubber contact with the road and the traction force is drastically reduced. In such a scenario when the brakes are applied with the intention to come to a complete stop, the vehicle experiences slipping and takes a comparatively longer time and distance to come to a stop.
Most passenger car tires come in 9 or 10/32nds of usable tread depth; winter, snow, and light truck tires may have more tread depth. A recommended safe tread depth limit is defined at 4/32”. Tires with a tread depth lower than this would not be ideal for daily driving conditions. Tires with a tread depth of 2/32” are considered legally worn-out in the United States. Although people measure the reliability of their tire with tread depth, the rubber compound in the tires deteriorates with time. It is recommended to change the tires every six years regardless of the tread depth remaining. Cerebrum Sensor’s intelligent tread depth calculator keeps track of the tread depth health and provides notifications for any services needed for your tire.
How do wet roads affect the stopping distance of a vehicle?
Things become pretty risky during wet and snow seasons with low tread depth tires. Such a combination is a cocktail for fatal accidents. Low tread depth tires running on wet roads result in hydroplaning. In this condition, there is a thin layer of water trapped between the tire contact patch and the road. This happens because shallow tread does not allow water or snow to easily escape outwards through the grooves. Trying to stop a vehicle in such a condition could result in losing total control of the vehicle. The vehicle would continue slipping and the driver would be unable to handle the vehicle unless the tires regain contact with the road.
A study by AAA concludes that a vehicle with a low tread depth of 4/32nd driving on a wet road increases the stopping distance by 80 feet. This means it will take much longer to come to a full stop. It is advised to keep bigger gaps between your vehicle and the vehicle in front to give enough distance for the vehicle to come to a complete stop.
How to calculate stopping distance for your vehicle?
There is a way to calculate the estimated stopping distance for your vehicle based on the current speed. This approach does not take into consideration the road condition, tread depth or other factors discussed earlier. It gives only an approximation considering the tread is healthy and the road condition is normal. Use the formula explained below.
As an example, let’s say the vehicle speed is 70 mph. Taking the first number (7) and squaring it gives 49. Adding zero to the end gives 490. Divide this number by 2 results in 245. Now in the second step, doubling the vehicle speed (70) gives 140. Adding both these numbers results in 385 feet of stopping distance.
This resultant stopping distance can drastically increase with wet road conditions and high speed. That’s why it is advised to drive slowly on wet roads to avoid longer stopping distances which could result in severe accidents. Always remember, precaution is better than the cure. Drive safe!
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All living beings leave their footprints, the traces of which could be seen while walking on sand, mud, or even when stepping on wet paint. Similarly, our car also has a ‘footprint’ which is called a ‘contact patch’. If the vehicle is placed on the glass floor, you could see four patches of rubber (one from each tire) from below. The contact patch is the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road. It is surprising to realize that the size of a contact patch is typically about the same size as our hand. Yes, you read it right. This small area of contact patch determines the performance of a vehicle. Let's get to know the contact patch in more detail below.
How does the Contact Patch impact a vehicle’s performance?
Before we move forward, we need to understand that the contact patch is not something that is added to the tire during manufacturing. It is a flexible area that occurs when the load on the tire keeps changing as the vehicle goes through the start, stop, and cornering maneuvers.
Many vehicle attributes are influenced by the ability of the tire to manage load through a contact patch. These performance attributes are traction, handling, ride quality, steering responsiveness, tread wear, and tire noise. It also helps to cushion the vehicle from road impacts.
While driving, these contact patches act as a source of information that sends feedback to the driver via the vehicle’s performance on the road. A driver might need some technical knowledge to interpret the performance feedback. The Cerebrum Sensor’s intelligent system collects raw data from these performance attributes (ones which matter the most) and summarizes useful results in a clear visual representation on your mobile application.
Variables that impact the Contact Patch area
Some of the important variables that affect the contact patch area and the related performance attributes are discussed below:
Pressure
It is advised to inflate the tire based on the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure to achieve the tire’s adequate load carrying capacity and optimal vehicle handling. The manufacturer’s recommended pressure could be found on the vehicle information placard located on the driver door panel. An overinflated tire creates comparatively less contact patch area and this results in reduced tire traction.
Similarly, an underinflated tire creates a larger contact patch area and results in more traction. Max traction does not mean max performance. More traction means more friction and needs more power from the engine to push the vehicle forward. Underinflation also accelerates tread wear at the edges.
Load
Tire contact patch areas change as the forces on tires change. Load changes as the vehicle go through the start, stop, and cornering maneuvers. The number of passengers and luggage in the trunk also changes the weight distribution in the vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers provide recommended tire inflation pressure, tire alignment specification, and select tire size to deliver an optimized tire contact patch as the vehicle goes through dynamic load changes.
Tread Design/Grooves
Tires come in various tread designs and grove thicknesses based on the purpose it is made to serve. Grooves in tires help to expel water from underneath the tire. This avoids hydroplaning and saves tires from slipping. Off-road tires are typically equipped with wider and deeper grooves to withstand mud, sand, snow, slush, and water. Wider grooves create less contact patch but then these tires are made much wider to provide a good overall area of the contact patch. Performance tires and ‘summer tires’ on the other hand have shallow treat depth and fewer groves to create as much contact patch area as possible. All-season tires generally come with moderate tread depth and enough grooves to reliably and safely operate in a wide variety of weather conditions.
Impact of tire rubber material on the Contact Patch
Why is it advised to use specific tires for harsh summer and winter conditions? What exactly is the difference between summer, winter, snow, and all-season tires? The answer to these questions lies in the traction force between the road and a contact patch. Softer rubber compounds offer the most traction. That’s why the racing tires are made out of a really soft compound but last only for one race. Daily driving tires need a good balance between grip and durability.
The rubber compound in winter tires is formulated to stay soft and grippy at low winter temperatures. Snow tires usually use the winter compound but have more chunky tread patterns providing extra grip at the contact patch when driving through snow, slush, and black ice. The rubber compound in summer tires is relatively harder to withstand high temperatures from the sun and friction at the contact patch. Using summer tires in the winter weather hardens the rubber and the contact patch loses grip with the road. This results in losing control over your vehicle and can lead to serious injuries or worse. All-season tires, on the other hand, provide a good balance between the summer and winter compounds.
Now you know how important of a role the contact patch plays to provide a safe and grippy ride. Don’t forget to add a set of Cerebrum Intelligent Sensors and explore using our iOS mobile application how this technology converts the raw data from performance attributes into useful results. Last but not least, make sure to physically inspect your tires every month to maintain a healthy grip at the contact patch.
]]>Effect of Tire Pressure on CO2 Emissions
Since the majority of vehicles run on gasoline, they emit a large quantity of CO2 into the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American cars are driven 12,000 miles a year on average. For every gallon of gasoline consumed, it emits about 20 pounds of CO2. This translates to over five tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year. That's a lot of CO2 from just one vehicle. If a properly inflated tire improves gas mileage by 3.3% then you are also saving gallons of gasoline, which will translate to reduced CO2 emission from your vehicle. A reduction in CO2 emissions contributes towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Although we are slowly making our way towards using cleaner sources of energy with advancements in technology, it will still take years to reach the stage of zero-emission. Keeping that in mind, it is our responsibility to do our part and emit the least amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. The Cerebrum Intelligent Tire system understands the power of combined efforts and provides a tool (mobile application) for each customer to track these metrics daily. There is a special screen in the Cerebrum mobile application dedicated to tracking the CO2 emission from tires. It is like having automatic research analytics on your phone.
Effect of Tire Pressure on Fuel Economy
A November 2012 study by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that every 1% decrease in tire pressure correlates to a 0.3% reduction in fuel economy. While that might not seem like a lot, it can add up to big bucks when it comes to money spent at the pump. You will be surprised to learn the fact that on average only 17% of vehicles on the road have all four tires properly inflated. On another hand, a properly inflated tire improves gas mileage by around 3.3% per gallon.
Let’s explore these facts further by taking an example of a typical sedan with a recommended tire pressure of 32 PSI and a rated fuel economy of 25 MPG.
Tires naturally lose 1 - 2 PSI every month. If the driver of this car goes 1 month without checking the tire pressure, the resulting fuel economy on average will drop to 23.1 MPG.
Similarly, the temperature drop of 50 degrees F from summer to winter, translates to about 5 PSI underinflation. When combine with the extra rolling resistance in winter weather, the fuel economy will reduce to 20.3 MPG. If we consider a gas price at $3.5 per gallon and annual mileage of 13K miles, then from a 5 PSI underinflation the driver is losing $56 in gas, in 6 months.
Effect of Tire Pressure on Tire Warranty Miles
Now you might be wondering how tire pressure can impact a tire’s warranty miles? Well, we know that improper tire pressure wears down the tire rubber at a faster rate. The pattern of tread wear depends on whether the tire is underinflated or overinflated. When the tire is underinflated, the weight of the vehicle is put on the shoulders of the tire. Driving for too long with underinflated tires results in excessive tire shoulder wear. Similarly, the overinflated tire bulges the center tread and puts all weight of the vehicle at the center area. This, as a result, causes the center area to wear out faster.
Every tire has a tire mileage warranty defined by the tire manufacturers. That means you will get the optimum performance from the tire throughout the defined tire mileage before it reaches the final 2/32nd of the tread. Such warranty is only valid when the tire is worn evenly. Improper wear of tires from underinflation and overinflation results in losing these valuable miles and also your possibility of getting a refund from the manufacturer in the event of a premature failure.
For more insight, let's take a vehicle that is driven on an average of 13K miles per year and has a 50K warranty miles on the tires by the manufacturer. An underinflation of about 3 PSI in a tire for a year's time will translate to 155 warranty miles loss for each tire. Combined with road conditions and driving style, this number will translate to way more.
Cerebrum mobile application tracks your tire's current pressure, along with other metrics, and provides you with a simple ‘Cost of Inefficiency’ screen (This includes the cost of excessive gasoline usage and cost of tire mileage loss) and ‘Warranty miles loss’ screen. Such metrics teach the user to maintain the health of their tires and get the most out of their bucks.
]]>Several market research and trend reporting companies including MarketPrimes, TheMarketReports and others have identified Cerebrum Sensor Technologies as a leader in the emerging, multi-billion dollar Intelligent Tire Sensor market. Cerebrum stands alongside notable brands like Continental (VDO), Sensata (Schrader), and Bridgestone to name a few.
As a leader in the industry, Cerebrum is the first company in the market to offer unique IoT enabled hardware and insights such as tire tread depth, radial load, and more. Cerebrum solutions are currently being integrated to fleets, OEM's and smart cities around the world with the vision of achieving safer and more efficient vehicle operations through tire intelligence.
For inquiries into Cerebrum's solutions, contact info@cerebrumsensor.com
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Tire Width
Tire width is the width of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. The first three-digit number in the tire size represents the tire width. For example in the tire size 225/70/R16, the number 225 is the width of the tire in millimeters.
Aspect Ratio
The middle number in the tire size is the aspect ratio. It is the ratio of the height of the tire's cross-section to its width. For example in the tire size 225/70/R16, the number 70 is the aspect ratio. It also means the tire height is 70% of the tire width.
Wheel Diameter
The last number in the tire size is the diameter of the wheel on which the tire is installed. For example in the tire size 225/70/R16, the number 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. This number represents that the tire is made for a specific wheel size only.
Other important specs of the tire are discussed below.
Tire Type
The first letter before the start of a tire size represents the tire type. The letter “P” in our example tire specification means the tire is a P-metric size intended for passenger vehicle use only.
If the tire does not have any letter at the beginning or end of the three-digit numeric portion of a tire size, this indicates the tire is “Metric” size, also known as ‘Euro-metric’ tire because this naming convention originated in Europe. These two metric types may have different load capabilities.
A few more tire types with their signature letters are explained below.
T = The letter "T" at the beginning of a tire size represents a "Temporary Spare". Such tires are designed to be used for temporary purposes only until a spare tire can be replaced with a new tire.
C = If a Euro-metric sized tire ends with a "C," it represents a "Commercial" tire for carrying heavy loads such as in vans or delivery trucks
ST = The letters "ST" at the beginning of a tire size represents a "Special Trailer Service" size that was designed to be used only with trailers.
Similarly, the letters “LT”, either at the beginning or end of the tire size indicates that the tire is made for light trucks.
Sometimes, the “LT” type tires are displayed with a different tire specification such as 35x12.50R24
In this scenario, the first number represents the tire's overall diameter, or how tall it is when inflated (but not under load). In our example tire size, it’s 35 inches.
The second number in the size represents the section width, or how wide the tire is from sidewall to sidewall. (This is what the first number in metric sizes tells you). In this case it’s 12.5 inches wide.
The letter “R” means the tire has a radial construction.
The third number represents the rim or wheel size in inches (Just as in metric sizes), in this case it’s 24 inches.
Construction
The letter after the aspect ratio indicates the type of internal construction, responsible for maintaining the stability of your tire. In the tire P 225/70/R16 91S, the letter “R” indicates that this tire has radial construction. The tire’s internal plywood is oriented in a radial direction in this type of construction.
Although radial tires are the most common tire construction these days, you might also find other tire construction types such as:
Letter “D” indicates the bias-ply(Diagonal) construction.
Letter “RF” indicates a self-supporting Run-Flat construction.
Letter “RF” indicates a run-flat tire or “ZR” indicates a tire that has a speed rating higher than V.
Load Index
The load index number corresponds to a specific load capacity listed in an index. The number representing the load index ranges from 1 to 150 in the index, with carrying capacities of 99 to 7385lbs.
The figure after the wheel size in the sequence P 225/70/R16 91S is your load index number.
Speed Rating
The final letter in the sequence is the speed rating of the tire. The speed rating letters correspond to a specific speed capacity, the same way as the load index does.
For example in the sequence P 225/70/R16 91S, the letter “S” is rated for speed up to 112 mph. Similarly, the tire with speed rating “H” is rated for speed up to 106 mph.
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One rule of thumb for driving on winter roads is to drive at a consistent slower speed and maintain a longer driving distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will give more time for you to control your vehicle and extra stopping distance in case of sudden braking. Apply brakes steadily and slowly. Driving on a snow-covered road with an active Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) system is also a concern. It can be better to turn it off. An interesting fact about ABS is that it increases your stopping distance during braking on snow or any other loose material such as gravel and sand. Without ABS, the tires make a wedge of snow in front of them which helps to bring the car to a stop with less skidding. With ABS, the driver may regain the ability to steer but the wedge is never formed and the vehicle can take longer to stop.
Tread Depth in Winter Tires
Winter tires have deeper grooves to evacuate water, snow, and slush but they also begin to lose traction much earlier than summer and all-season tires, typically at around 20% of the full tread depth. Be sure to check the tread depth of your winter tires before rolling out for a drive. Yeah, that’s going to be quite a bit of math using the physical tool. Don’t worry, use the Cerebrum Smart Sensor App with its built-in feature to easily calculate the tread depth without using any extra tools and avoid miscalculations. Cerebrum Smart Sensors provide tread depth in terms of percentage to simplify your life.
Air Pressure in Winter Tires
It is recommended to check the air pressure once a month and especially before long trips. Tire pressure plays a critical role in tire performance. Tires with OEM recommended pressure levels provide the optimum traction force. To save your time in searching for recommended tire pressure on your vehicle or in the user manual, the Cerebrum Sensor mobile application displays it on your phone. Use the real-time air pressure guide on the Cerebrum mobile application to fill pressure to the optimum level recommended by Cerebrum Sensors for your vehicle.
Age of Winter/Snow Tires
The age of the tire determines its structural integrity and performance on the road.
No matter if your tires are used in a daily driven vehicle or have winter tires stored in a garage, it is advised to keep track of your tire’s age. Vehicle manufacturers recommend changing your tires every 6 years, regardless of the tread depth. Most of the tire manufacturer’s warranty expires at 6 years.
Spare Tire for Winter
Keeping a spare tire in your vehicle is recommended at all times. During the winter season, be sure to change the spare tire to a winter spare tire for proper traction. Check the tire pressure and tread depth of the spare tire. These metrics can be easily checked through your Cerebrum mobile application. If your winter spare tire has been sitting in the storage for years, it is recommended to inspect the tire for any physical defects.
To get notified of all the other critical issues while driving, be sure to keep the notification option switched ON in the settings screen of your Cerebrum mobile application. Don’t have Cerebrum Sensors installed in your tires yet? Well then, it is time to pump up your game and give your tires what they deserve. Order your Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensors here.
]]>Typically for every 10 Deg Celsius (18 Deg F) the pressure in the tire drops by about 1-2 Psi. During the winter season, the difference between the day and night temperature can be as high as 40 Deg Fahrenheit. That means the pressure in the tire can reduce by 4 Psi at night. Most of the tpms systems trigger the sensor when there is a 25% drop in tire pressure. It is easy to get the tpms sensor triggered when your tire is already under recommended pressure.
Winter weather comes with a dire need to check your tires regularly. This could be a headache because who wants to check their tire pressure with the gauge every morning? No one! But if you have Cerebrum Smart Sensors installed in your tires then you can easily check the pressure and get notified of big losses in pressure from the Cerebrum mobile application. That’s not all, the app gives you the recommended pressure for your tires and a real-time pressure displayed on the mobile screen helps to fill the pressure to an optimum level.
It is normal to lose 1-3 Psi tire pressure in a month. Combined with the day and night temperature difference in winters this could be a big loss in pressure. Such fluctuations in tire pressure could affect many metrics of the tire and the overall life of your tires is affected. Low tire pressure reduces the braking performance by reducing the traction force at the contact patch, increases the CO2 emission by the engine, and drops the gas mileage. On average, for every 1 psi drop in pressure the vehicle loses 0.2% in gas mileage.
So, with low tire pressure, you are indirectly losing money and polluting the environment by emitting more CO2 into the atmosphere. That’s a lot of losses just from improper tire pressure, right? Given the current impact of global warming on our environment it has become necessary to act at an individual level and save our environment. Cerebrum Smart Sensors make it simple to track these metrics. With the convenience of a mobile application, you can track dollar losses, tire warranty losses, and CO2 emission per year based on the current tire pressure. That’s the power of intelligence, the power of Cerebrum.
]]>Wondering why don’t you feel that strong grip of your tire with the road anymore? Maybe your tire tread has worn out. Yes, tread health directly affects the handling of your vehicle. There is a lot of engineering involved in tire designing to give your vehicle the most comfortable ride. Tread is one of the main components of the tire as it makes direct contact with the road.
Ok, got it! But why do we need those grooves in the tires? Those grooves in tires are to increase the traction of the tire with the road. More importantly, these grooves provide passage for precipitation to escape anytime it gets between the tire and the road. This maintains as much contact with the road surface as possible. That’s one of the reasons why winter tires have deeper and more defined grooves to work their way out of water or snow. Shallow grooves mean less area for precipitation to escape and more chances for the tire to slip, creating a condition called Hydroplaning.
Minimum allowed tread depth
Most states in the United States have established a 2/32 inch minimum tread depth requirement. It is recommended to check your tires once a month to check for defects, tread depth, and tire pressure. There are various tools to physically inspect the tread depth of the tire. The most common one is placing a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down in the tire groove. If the head is fully visible then it means the tread depth is below 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace the tire. Another way is to use a measuring tool instead of a penny and that gives you the tread measure in desired units.
The Cerebrum Smart Sensor has this inbuilt feature to automatically check tire’s tread depth regularly to keep you up to date with your tire’s tread health. No more need to set a reminder or dirty your hands to physically inspect your tires. Very cool right? We understand that peace of mind is what everyone aspires to achieve. Cerebrum smart sensor solves such problems and collectively help to deliver a smoother ride.
What causes Treadwear?
Various factors could contribute to early treadwear or irregular treadwear. The most common causes are improper inflation pressure and out-of-spec tire alignment.
Treadwear from Improper Inflation Pressure
Vehicle manufacturers specify the optimum pressure for front and rear tires to get the most comfortable ride, handling, good fuel economy, and proper tire wear. Proper inflation pressure is important to optimize vehicle acceleration, cornering, and vehicle load distribution. Improper inflation pressure leads to two types of treadwear.
Edges wear
The tire shows signs of wear on the edges when it is underinflated. Causing the center of the tread to make loose contact with the road as compared with the tire’s edges.
Center wear
Tread wears at the center when the tire is overinflated. Causing the tire tread to curve more at the edges and resulting in contact patch narrowing towards the centerline of the tread.
Treadwear from Out-of-Spec Tire Alignment
Tire alignment is not the adjustment of tires or wheels themselves. It refers to the adjustment of the vehicle’s steering and suspension components. Every vehicle has its own manufacturer’s recommended tire alignment specifications for parameters such as camber angle, toe angle, and caster angle. A combination of these three angles gives the tires their most appropriate angle of contact with the road.
There are commonly three types of uneven tire wear from improper alignment:
One-sided Shoulder Wear
This happens from excessive positive or negative camber angle. It is also known as camber wear. Camber changes the lateral dynamic load on the tire surface. This does not accelerate the total wear rate. In this type of tire wear the inside or outside of the shoulder rib which is experiencing more dynamic load is worn significantly more than the other side.
Toe Tire wear
Toe wear physically scrubs one side of the shoulder rib across the road. The physical touch of the tread block feels like saw teeth. Excessive positive or negative toe accelerates the rate of wear. Toe wear is a tire killer.
Feather Edge Tire wear
Feather edge wear occurs due to the improper combination of the excessive toe and caster angle. In this type of wear, tread ribs are worn smoother on one side and sharper on the other.
]]>Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps to track the air pressure in the tires and in some cases air temperature as well. It switches ON a TPMS warning light on the vehicle dashboard when the air pressure falls 25% below manufacturer’s recommended cold tire pressure. This feature minimizes the risk of tire related accidents and improves the fuel economy by helping maintain the optimum tire pressure.
Types of TPMS
There are two kinds of TPMS systems currently in common use.
Direct TPMS: In this approach the TPMS sensor is mounted in the wheel and transmits the signal wirelessly to the car’s computer system. It triggers the TPMS light on the dashboard in case of low tire pressure.
Indirect TPMS: Indirect TPMS is dependent on the car’s Antilock Braking System (ABS), where it tracks the wheel rotation. When the tire pressure is low in any tire, it will rotate at a different speed than the other tires. ABS sensors detect this change and triggers the TPMS light on the dashboard.
Standard TPMS and need for a better system
Now you know what a standard TPMS system does and how it functions. Pretty simple right? Though the concept is simple and often overlooked by consumers, tires are the only physical component of the car that makes direct contact with the ground. Therefore, tires play an important role in governing the behavior of a moving vehicle. Ever since Carl Benz introduced pneumatic tires in 1888, tires have not seen much advancement in terms of providing useful data other than air pressure and temperature reported by TPMS. What if we could get real-time tire dynamics data coming directly from the tire? Such data can provide a plethora of information to understand and improve the vehicle’s performance and safety altogether. Such an advanced TPMS system is the need for today’s auto industry. Cerebrum's tire-mounted sensor technology has entered the market as a solution to deliver never-before-seen advanced analytics.
With advanced sensors and algorithms studying tire dynamics in real-time, Cerebrum sensors act as the brain for your tires. This wireless technology takes road safety to the level never experienced before. Explore the power of cerebrum sensor with the user-friendly mobile application to track tire information such as real-time tire rubber thickness, load on tire, tire alignment off detection, rubber temperature and air pressure.
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