SOFT OR HARD TIRE: WHICH IS THE BEST TO DRIVE?
Whenever we talk about choosing a tire for your car, the main focus comes on the durability and economy of the part. However, we also need to think about the comfort that the equipment provides for the driver. In this case, is it better to buy a soft or hard tire? For further info, click here: best tires for prius
The hardness of the tire affects many factors when driving the vehicle. It is necessary to understand how the handling is changed to know if the best for your car is the soft or hard tire.
If you don't know the difference between the two types, read on to understand!
What are the advantages of a soft tire?
We can classify a soft tire and a hard tire based on the value of their Treadwear Index . This measurement is engraved on the side of the part and ranges from 60 to 700, indicating the durability of the tire. The higher the value of the Treadwear, the more resistant the piece will be.
This does not necessarily mean that a tire with a higher Treadwear will have a higher mileage. There are many factors (such as alignment, calibration , shock absorbers, driving habits) that affect the wear of such a part.
However, it is a fact that the larger the tread of a tire, the harder the rubber that is in its tread. Therefore, the piece's softness is inversely proportional to its Treadwear Index.
And what are the advantages of having a soft tire, with a low Treadwear Index?
First, a soft tire guarantees much better handling. This is because the part manages to deform slightly (as it is more malleable) to adapt to the nature of the track where it is running.
The soft tire has a much greater grip on the track, which makes it easier to drive, even in adverse conditions, such as in the rain.
What are the disadvantages of a soft tire?
However, not everything is flowers, of course. The soft tire also has some disadvantages compared to the harder tire.
The first is that, because it has a smaller and thinner rubber layer in its tread, the soft tire is more likely to puncture when in contact with a sharp object, such as a stone.
Therefore, it is not recommended for use on rural terrain, where the track is more unstable and offers more risks to the tire.
What are the advantages of a hard tire?
A hard tire is one that is characterized by having a higher Treadwear Index. It achieves this rating with a thicker rubber layer, less likely to deform when driving.
The first advantage of this is that the tire is much more resistant. Since your tread is more solid, it is more difficult for the tire to puncture when going over a rock, for example.
What are the disadvantages of a hard tire?
As with the soft tire, the hard tire also has a number of disadvantages in its use.
The first is the lack of grip on the track. Because of its hardness, the tire adapts very little when in contact with the ground. This makes the control of the vehicle a little worse when braking, turning and other situations.
Thus, as the tire has a larger tread, it is also heavier. To run it, a little more engine power is needed, which increases fuel consumption.
So, what is the best option: soft or hard tire?
In fact, as you have probably noticed, there is no better tire between soft or hard. It all depends, of course, on what you prefer as a driver, your driving habits and your context.
If you drive more on asphalt and value comfort, the soft tire is the best option. If you drive more over rough terrain or want a more resistant tire, the hard is the best choice.
The best German engines of all time
Our journey through the history of engines that made history continues. We left the land of the "rising sun" towards the heart of the European automotive industry. Like it or not, it's Germany. For more references, check out: v10 life expectancy
I'm going to start this article the same way I started the article on the best Japanese engines . Enjoying Diesel naturally ...
Therefore, devotees of the iconic 1.9 R4 TDI PD engine in its most diverse variations, can go and preach their religion to another band. Yes, it is an excellent engine. But no, it's just a diesel. After writing this, I will never sleep peacefully again ... a black cloud from a poorly reprogrammed control unit will befall me.
The question of "German engineering"
Whether we like it or not, Germany is the heart of the European car industry. Land of Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz of Ferr… ups, this is Italy. But do you realize what you wanted to get at? It does not mean that the best engineering is all concentrated in Germany, but it is those compulsive drinkers of beer and mulled wine - called Glühwein and even drinks well ... - who are at the forefront of events.
That is why non-European brands, when they decide to win on the old continent, set up their "camps" in German lands. Do you want examples? Ford, Toyota and Hyundai. Non-European brands that chose Germany to meet the expectations of the world's most demanding customers: Europeans.
That said, let's recall some of the best-born mechanics on German soil. Will engines be missing? I'm sure it is. So please help me by using the comment box.
Another note! As in the list of the best Japanese engines, also in this list the order of the engines is random. But I can advance now that the Porsche M80, BMW S70 / 2 and Mercedes-Benz M120 engines should appear on my TOP 3.
BMW M88
It was with this engine that BMW built its reputation on the development of straight-six engines . Produced between 1978 and 1989, the first generation of this engine equipped from the iconic BMW M1 to the BMW 735i.
On the BMW M1 it delivered around 270 horsepower, but its development potential was such that the M88 / 2 version that equipped the Bavarian brand Group 5 reached 900 horsepower! We were in the 80's.
BMW S50 and S70 / 2
The S50 engine (spec. B30) was a very special six-cylinder in-line, delivering 290 horsepower, using the VANOS valve control system (a kind of BMW VTEC) and equipped the BMW M3 (E36). We could stop here, but the story is still in the middle.
Are you still in the middle? So double it. The engine, not the story. BMW joined two S50 engines and created the S70 / 2. Result? A V12 engine with 627 horsepower. Isn't the name S70 / 2 foreign to you? It's natural. It was this engine that equipped the McLaren F1, the fastest atmospheric engine model ever and one of the most beautiful engineering pieces in history. Without any exaggeration.
BMW S85
The S85 engine - also known as the S85B50 - is possibly BMW's most interesting engine of the past 20 years. To put it bluntly, it is the atmospheric 5.0 V10 engine that equipped the BMW M5 (E60) and M6 (E63). It delivered 507 hp of power at 7750 rpm and a maximum torque of 520 Nm at 6100 rpm. Redline? At 8 250 rpm!
It was the first time that a sports saloon used an engine with this architecture and the result was… unforgettable. The sound emanating from the engine was intoxicating and the delivery of power demolished the tires on the rear axle just as easily as I melted 100 escudos in arcade rooms when I was pissed.
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