Tires are responsible for the quality of road grip and for increasing driving comfort. Drivers often use reinforced tires. Let's figure out what they are and what their operating features are.

What is special about reinforced tires?

All tires with reinforced sidewalls have approximately the same design, allowing them to carry heavy loads. Technically, the design reduces the risk of tire damage when hitting obstacles.

To better understand the situation, it is worth considering why the tire is damaged. If the wheel hits an obstacle or hole, the disc pushes through the sidewall. The situation occurs quickly and with great force, as a result the rim actually cuts the cord running along the sidewall.

To protect against this problem, XL tires have a reinforced carcass. The reinforcement method depends on the technical features of the tire and its purpose. In the simplest version, the rubber has two layers of cord on the sides. Another more reliable method is to use a diagonal design on the sides. This method is the most effective; even if the side of the tire is damaged, it can be repaired and used.

For greater reliability, the cord is made from reinforced polymer threads. They can withstand loads better. It is quite difficult to cut them down. Polymers provide sufficient elasticity.

In addition to all of the above, a different, more rigid rubber compound is used in production. It also improves tire reliability. Sometimes the tread is modified, but this factor is not the main and mandatory one.

Performance features of reinforced rubber

The reinforced sidewall must withstand the load created by the car, but this comes at the cost of increased rigidity. As a result, driving a car equipped with such tires is less comfortable; it absorbs minor impacts from driving over uneven surfaces less well.

The use of tires with reinforced beads does not guarantee complete absence of damage. You should not consider such a tire invulnerable; when driving through potholes, take precautions.

In addition, all tires with reinforced elements always weigh more than regular tires. The reason is the additional cord and denser rubber. This creates increased load on the suspension.

Let us list the main advantages that such tires have.

• Increased security. There is less risk of tire damage.
• The tire is resistant to deformation, reducing the likelihood of damage to the wheel rim.
• The car is more stable when cornering. This indicates improved directional stability and controllability.
• Typically, such tires have an increased speed index.
• Fuel consumption is reduced. Tires have less rolling resistance.

What cars are they suitable for?

You need to understand that tires with reinforced sidewalls are designed for certain cars. It is useless to install it, for example, on Daewoo Matiz. We list the vehicles most suitable for such tires.

• Cars designed for high speeds. The sports car can accelerate to 270 km/h. Regular rubber is more likely to tear quickly at such speeds, and the reinforced sidewall protects against damage.
• SUVs. Reliable tires are an important element of off-road travel. During such trips you often have to run over various obstacles; the sidewall must be properly protected from damage.
• If you just often travel to places with poor quality roads. Then you will have few problems with tires, and they will last longer.

How to tell if a tire has a reinforced sidewall

It is important to know how to distinguish such a tire. There is a special marking for this. It complements the standard size and is indicated immediately after the speed index. In rare cases, markings may be indicated separately, usually along the circumference of the side.

When marking in a standard size, two Latin letters XL are added there. The words “extra load” may be indicated on board. It is completely identical to the marking in the standard size.

It is worth mentioning separately what XL means. In fact, this is an indication that the load index increases by 3 units. That is, if the tire has an index of 97, if there are additional markings, the permissible load will be equal to the index of 100.

Tires with reinforced sidewalls are reliable and stable in difficult conditions. But, they have their own operating characteristics. This needs to be taken into account; you should not purchase them for traveling around the city.

Specialized magazines, forums, car clubs, and international associations often formulate ratings of summer passenger tires, especially in February-March, when by law it is necessary to replace winter tires with ones more suitable for the season. Independent test drives, competitions, and product line inspections are preliminarily carried out in order to identify existing problems in the manufacturing and marketing of products, as well as outline a list of entrepreneurs who can find the most profitable solution in the current situation. The entire foreign and domestic auto industry is aimed at creating safe and comfortable tires, and all innovative technologies and experiments with the production scale of a new tire are aimed at this. Competition in the market stimulates the management of large companies to continuously develop and modernize tires. Successful companies are on everyone’s lips, because the authority of an innovator has already been earned, and besides, such a terrible word as “rating” hangs over everyone. The list of leaders is based on different parameters, most often tires are divided into domestic and foreign models, and also formed according to quality and innovation classes, pricing policy is also taken into account, especially since there is a large variation in the cost of the product, the price of tires varies from 2,000 to 15,000 rubles

Summer tires

There are brands that most often occupy leading positions in the ratings, mainly tires from large corporations that have their own research laboratories, regularly introduce innovations and conduct test drives, but also special resources inform consumers about class B products , C, which are credited with versatility and affordability.

Premium summer tire rating

Rating of universal tires class B

Rating of summer economy class passenger tires

Which tires have the strongest sidewalls? Which tires hold up best? I present to you the eight most reliable winter tire models.

How to determine the strongest tires?

Autoreview experts will help us answer this question; they conduct tire tests impact tests: install a border 94 mm high. They drive at an angle of 45 degrees with one wheel. After successful passage, increase the speed by 5 km/h.

The speed is increased until it happens through sidewall breakdown. After this, the tire begins to deflate. Such an experiment allows us to simulate a situation when a wheel falls into a hole with a sharp edge or hits a stone, brick or piece of sharp ice.

Of the nineteen models of the 2016 super test, I offer you the top 8 strongest tires, divided into three groups. The tires with the weakest impact resistance suffered a breakdown at a speed of 40 km/h. Now look at the winners...

Good tires with strong sidewall

These tires managed to blow out at a speed of 50 km/h, they are better than most of the other participants:

• (Wi31), quiet tires with good performance on asphalt.
• - the frame was specially reinforced for Russian conditions, and they are produced in Russia. Pros: traction on snow and wet asphalt.
• - tires with good performance on asphalt.
• Japanese ones are good on ice and easy to drive on snow.

Very strong winter tires

In this group there are tires whose sidewalls are stronger than the average group, but do not reach the leaders:

• - inexpensive tires with high resistance to aquaplaning,
• - passable Velcro with good grip on snow.

These tires were punctured at a speed of 55 km/h. Pirelli is the only studless tire in this collection.

The strongest tires

There are two tire models that allow you to increase speed even more.

Journalists from AutoPortal understood the intricacies of the technology for making puncture-free tires.

A tire puncture at high speed can lead to an accident, and at low speed it can lead to an unexpected and unpleasant delay along the way. This can be avoided by so-called “puncture-free” tires, another name for which is RunFlat (“driving on a flat tire”).

“Puncture-free” tires are included in the tire line of many manufacturers:

• BF Goodrich - SSS (Self-Supporting Structure) series,

• Bridgestone - RFT (RunFlatTire) series,

• Continental - SSR (Self Supporting Runflat), CSR (Conti Support Ring),

• Dunlop - DSST (Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology),

• Firestone - RFT (Run Flat Tire),

• Goodyear-ROF,

• Kumho - XRP,

• Michelin - ZP (Zero Pressure),

• Nokian - RF (Run Flat),

• Pirelli - RFT (Run Flat Technology),

• Yokohama - RF (Run Flat).

“Puncture-free” tires will allow you to get to the nearest tire shop (if it is located no further than 80 km) at speeds of up to 80 km/h. Today, there are three types of technologies that allow a car to move after a tire puncture:

• self-sealing tires,

• tires with reinforced sidewalls,

• additional support systems.

Self-sealing tires

The simplest puncture protection. In such tires, an additional layer of sealant is placed inside the tread, which “tightens” the hole caused by a puncture.

Continental offers self-sealing systems NailGard and GenSeal. At the same time, the cost of a tire with sealant can be only 100-150 UAH. more expensive than a similar tire without a sealing system.

Pros of self-sealing tires

• Low cost (10-20% more expensive than a “regular” tire).

• Maintainability.

Disadvantages of self-sealing tires

• Self-sealing is not possible if the sidewall is damaged or there are large cuts.

• On wet roads or in cold weather, sealing is less effective.

Tires with reinforced sidewalls

The possible mileage on a “punctured” tire is 80-250 km, depending on the tire manufacturer and vehicle load. The presence of a puncture in such tires may go unnoticed, so it is mandatory to have a tire pressure monitoring system.

Such tires first appeared in 1992 (Run-Flat series from Goodyear). Today, tires with reinforced sidewalls are offered by most well-known manufacturers: BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli.

Tires with reinforced sidewalls are installed on premium cars and armored models. The cost of such tires is 30-100% higher than the cost of “regular” tires. For example, Goodyear F1 GS-D3 run flat will cost 2200 UAH. The BRIDGESTONE DUELER HL 400 tire will cost 1624 UAH, and the puncture-free BRIDGESTONE DUELER HL 400 Run Flat will cost 2860 UAH.

Advantages of tires with reinforced sidewalls

• They are not afraid of serious damage (including damage to the sidewall).

• Mounted on a regular wheel rim.

Disadvantages of tires with reinforced sidewalls

• A tire pressure monitoring system and an adapted suspension are required.

• Unrepairable. Only Goodyear (ROF and EMT tire series) and Dunlop (DSST series) can repair the tread of such tires.

• Heavier and less comfortable.

Additional support systems

The operating principle of such systems is to install a stiffening element inside the tires themselves, which takes on the load when the pressure in the tire drops. A metal or plastic hoop is used as a stiffening element. In addition, the installation of such tires requires specific rims.

Today, tires with ring inserts are produced by Michelin (PAX series) and Continental (CSR series). Such tires are installed mainly on armored vehicles.

When choosing which tire sidewall is better, hard or soft, you need to pay attention to your own preferences, beliefs, driving style and operating conditions of the car with the selected tires. Below are recommendations on what is better to choose, summer tires with a hard sidewall or a soft sidewall, taking into account the most common conditions of car use and the driving style of drivers.

Calm driving style - choosing tire sidewalls for summer

If you have a relaxed driving style, you can buy summer tires of almost any sidewall hardness or softness. When driving at a measured pace, the load on the tire is minimal, therefore, it is more logical to buy tires with a softer side part.

Such a tire will be more comfortable than rubber with hard sides, and at the same time no less reliable under medium impact and high-speed loads. When choosing summer tires, it is better to choose a sidewall of medium softness or hardness; this will be the most balanced tire option that will allow you to feel confident and comfortable on any road surface. You can choose tires with the maximum softness of the sidewall if you plan to operate the car in city conditions on a road surface of at least average quality, and the tire profile height will not tend to a low profile.

Active driving style - choosing tire sidewalls for summer

If you have an active driving style, any sidewall of a summer tire will not work. Active driving increases the load on tires, and, therefore, the selection of tires must be approached with the maximum understanding of what properties and qualities are required of them.

A dynamic driving style requires high reliability from tires, which means it is better to choose tires with a hard side part; there will be less comfort compared to soft tires, but there will be much more confidence in the tires, which will allow you to get maximum pleasure from active driving. The more aggressive the driving, the stiffer the sidewall of the tire must be to support the expected loads.

Urban use - choosing tire sidewalls for summer

When choosing the sidewall of summer tires for the city, first of all you should pay attention to the quality of the roads for future use. If the roads are mostly free of holes, potholes and washboards, then you can choose any tires.

If the roads are more often broken than smooth, then the harder the tires should be chosen, the lower the tire profile and the more active the driving style, which increases the requirements for reliability. For comfortable city driving, you can choose tires with a fairly soft sidewall, but in this case, the tire profile should not be lowered, but, on the contrary, increased if possible within the dimensions recommended by the car manufacturer. In some cases, it makes sense to buy wheels and tires with a smaller radius, but at the same time, with an increased profile of the soft sidewall of the tire, so that the wheel diameter remains unchanged.

Operation on the highway - choosing tire sidewalls for summer

When choosing summer tires for use on the highway, first of all, you need to choose reliable tires that will allow you to withstand high speeds and shock loads if your wheel hits a pothole.

Summer tires with a strong sidewall will be preferable, since the track requires increased safety. Therefore, it is better to sacrifice comfort and choose a tire with optimal sidewall stiffness, which will allow you to feel more confident on the track. By and large, when choosing tires for the track, all recommendations for choosing tires for an active driving style are suitable. In both cases, increased tire reliability is required, which is the passive safety of any car.

Operation on dry primer and gravel - choosing tire sidewalls for summer

If the car is used most often on dry dirt and gravel roads, then summer tires with a strong sidewall are suitable.

For soil and gravel, not only the lateral rigidity of the tire is important, but also the rigidity of the tread rubber, as well as a tread that is more “evil” than road tires, which will allow it to withstand loads from sharp stones, protruding roots and “washboards”.

As the long-term practice of millions of car owners shows, if you choose the right tires for operating conditions, they will last much longer. If there is not enough money to buy tires that are suitable in quality and reliability for the operating conditions, it is better to borrow or buy on credit exactly those tires that are best suited, otherwise the tires may not last very long. For example, if you use soft asphalt tires on a gravel road, you will have to buy a new set of tires much sooner than if you had purchased suitable tires in the first place.