Buying Used Tires On eBay Could Be Dangerous
Buyers started to avoid buying used tires from eBay, after independent tests showed: half of tires offered on eBay of are dangerous and should not be installed on vehicles. The initiator of the study was the Continental company.
At the auction twenty-used tires were bought and during the tests, technical experts found that each fifth tire is too worn out and can not be used. Another 20% of tires do not have the required markings. Treads of two tires were very worn and erased, one tire had signs of illegal and dangerous repair, on the other fracture was glued with superglue. According to Entyrerty company, which was conducting the technical expertise, sellers on eBay do not care at all about safety requirements.
Another study, also conducted by Continental, has shown that one of the eight drivers in the United States and Europe has already bought or considering the purchase of used tires on eBay. Among drivers aged 18-24 years one of three drivers is ready to use the services of the auction.
The representative of Continental Tires, Roger Sanders said: “If you are buying used tires on eBay it is impossible to determine their suitability for further use. Inspection to detect damaged tire is also virtually impossible, especially for photos online. Purchase of used tires from an unknown source saves money but increases the risk. Ending warranty, erased pattern or cracks in the side wall - all this increases the risk of a dangerous situation on the road and can lead to clashes and deaths.”
Vector 4Seasons - new Goodyear tire
The company presents the new Goodyear tire Vector 4Seasons, effective in all weather conditions. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons is a new all-weather tire, which offers unparalleled control and efficiency throughout the year. The output of the tires on the market with high performance, verified in the course of testing, with its unique Weather Reactive Technology to adapt to any weather conditions, strengthens the position of Goodyear in the development of all-weather tires.
New tire Vector 4Seasons confirmed its exceptional efficiency in tests conducted by the German Organization for Testing and Certification TÜV SÜD Automotive, which conducted a comparative testing of a new tire and the two leading competitors. According to the results of the tests, the new tire Vector 4Seasons was very effective on snow, ice and wet road, most notably with a decrease in stopping distance by 11% in conditions of ice, compared with the two main competitors’ tires used in the comparative tests.
New multigrade tire Vector 4Seasons is characterized not only by efficiency and driving comfort in any season, but also by reliability, combined with environmental friendliness. Advanced circuit protector has improved the characteristics of pressure distribution on the ground, with a reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Multigrade silica composition with low content of polycyclic aromatic oils also provides new tire performance with improved environmental hygiene.
The correct tire change - is it important?
There are conscious citizens who are very responsible in the question of rubber choice, read comparative tests in magazines and on time change their car “boots”. But it is clear and at the same time – awful, that people, mostly, don’t care about the tire change. So you can not relax.
We looked at the wheels of a thousand cars and found that 7% of them are changed by a quite an unskilled master. The fact is that most tires are designed on an asymmetrical tread pattern, and incorrect installation of rubber leads to the very unfortunate consequences. Moreover, the manufacturer puts an arrow at each tire rotation direction (towards the figure), or mark the outer and inner side (asymmetrical pattern).
Tires with a symmetrical pattern are allowed to put on any wheel on any side. When assembling asymmetric tires you have to look at the markings – where is the inside and the outer side.
In the case of an asymmetrical tread terrain, mistake in selecting the polarity leads to rapid tire wear and deterioration of controllability due to the fact that the inner sidewall more soft is being turned out. With the directed picture it is not easy as well: once the tire is spinning in the wrong direction, the car starts to grizzle in snow in winter and in puddles in summer. The plus of rubber is tha it removes water from the contact spot better. And if the picture is turned in the wrong direction, the moisture, in contrast, is being accumulated, and the car is floating in puddles, losing grip with the road. And the braking distance increases when the direction of rotation is mistaken.
Choosing an expensive rubber, and setting it in time does not mean doing it right. It is important also to monitor the actions of tire service: they would spit on prescriptions.
Of course, 7% are conditional. How many drivers are not even suspecting how tires are put on the wheels of their cars! It has been proved in practice: one of our experts who participated in a street-test, was confident that the rubber is OK, but a detailed examination has convinced him otherwise.
ContiSportContact and ContiPremiumContact
Continental ContiSportContact
According to the results of tests by Sport Auto (6 / 00) and the Rallye Racing (7 / 00), this model has received wonderful noise, comfort and stability characteristics on the on dry pavement.
ADAC Motorwelt (3 / 01) and Auto Bild (11/01) tested this model in 205/55/R16W. From both sources, it is clear that the model has excellent performance in almost all categories, highlighting the stability on the wet pavement, adhesive properties and safety. Weaknesses - rolling resistance slightly higher than established norms.
Continental ContiPremiumContact
Outstanding results according to Auto Bild, Auto Motor und Sport, Test MOT, Gute Fahrt, Auto Express, ADAC Motorwelt tests.
This model is an absolute leader in the results of testing for Continental brand and took first place among many other leading world producers.
Auto Express (8 / 00) brought this model to the first place due to the best results in controlability on dry and wet asphalt.
Gute Fahrt (3 / 00) put this model into first place in the category of resistance to aquaplaning.
ADAC Motorwelt (3 / 01) noted the excellent performance of this model in coupling properties and rolling resistance in 205/55/R16W.
Auto Bild (11/01) – first place in 205/55/R16W, Auto Motor und Sport (6 / 00) - second in 205/55/R16W and 195/65/R15H in all categories, highlighting the brake path on wet pavement, and level of comfort.
