Six surprising facts about tires!

Six surprising facts about tires!

William Bouchard William Bouchard
3 minute read


Each week I write about a different aspect of the tire world, but despite this, I continue to be amazed by what I learn on the web! From the surprising origins of these very useful tubes to modern innovations, here are six surprising facts about tires I learned while surfing.

1. They were originally white

For the first 25 years of their existence, and then some, tires were white. This is quite normal, since natural rubber has a whitish color. The black tires we know today only became the norm when manufacturers started adding carbon black, which dramatically improves durability and wear resistance. Much later, tires with white sidewalls were colored with zinc oxide. 

2. They're useful for sport

And I'm not talking about motorsports here! Once their expiration date has been reached, many used tires are sent to gyms around the world. This second life as fitness accessories is rather interesting, although it represents only a small proportion of all recycled tires. The crossfit enthusiasts among you may already have done some tire flipping, a rather common exercise

3. The first spare tire dates back to 1904

Before spare tires became commonplace, drivers had to repair or replace their tires on the spot. The spare tire changed all that, making long-distance travel much more practical. However, did you know that they were once illegal? During World War II, the United States temporarily banned them on new cars in order to save rubber.

4. The largest tire manufacturer? 

In 2011, this manufacturer achieved a Guinness record for making over 300 million tires in a single year, but you probably wouldn't be able to guess that. The company isn't one of the Pirelli's or Michelin's of this world, oh no! Rather, it's the famous toy manufacturer Lego, which produces a gigantic number of tiny tires for its vehicles.  

5. Tires in your shoes

Millions of tires are thrown away every year, but there's no need to waste them, especially when you consider their environmental impact. Old tires can be reused to make many things like asphalt, play surfaces and even shoes. Imagine, there could be tires in your soles right now! 

6. A tiny contact surface

Even though tires look pretty wide, only a small portion of them actually touch the road when you're driving. For most vehicles, the contact patch is about the size of a postcard. This tiny surface is responsible for managing braking, traction, stability and cornering. So it's essential to keep your tires in good condition!

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