Level 3 - Construction

As the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, the tyre has to strike the right balance between grip, traction, comfort, sound, longevity, energy efficiency and cost of ownership. Without compromise.

A premium tyre is a complex piece of technology, consisting of dozens of components using a wide variety of raw materials, making a tyre complete many functions to a high level, which is essential for your safety and the efficient running of your vehicle.

Each is meticulously designed for the requirements of flexibility and strength, grip and so on. These components fall into five groups:

1. Natural rubber. The principal component of the tread layers of tyres.
2. Synthetic rubber. An essential element in the tread of car van and 4x4 tyres.
3. Carbon black and silica. Used as a reinforcing agent to improve the wear characteristics of the tyre.
4. Metallic and textile cables. They make up the tyre’s skeleton, and guarantee its geometry and rigidity.
5. Numerous chemical agents. Used to give the materials specific properties in the finished tyre.
   

So this amazing composite structure is far more than just black and round with a hole in the middle.

What’s next?

Concern for the environment is a key part of tyre manufacture from the sourcing of materials, construction, usage phase right through to the end of life.

In the next section, we look at environmental impact and what you can do to help reduce your fuel consumption.