Tire Science & Trivia
Tires are one of the most quietly sophisticated objects most people own — a chemistry problem, a physics problem and a manufacturing problem all rolled into a black ring. These pieces explain how they actually work.
Why Are Tires Black?
They were originally white. A 1910 filler discovery made them black, multiplied tread life several-fold, and quietly became the reason your tires survive sunlight, heat and ozone.
Physics · 11 minThe Science of Winter Tires
Why tire makers recommend winter tires below about 45°F, what a sipe does at the contact patch, why snow grips snow better than rubber does, and what the 3PMSF symbol really certifies.
Seasonal · 8 minWhy Tire Pressure Drops When It Gets Cold
About 1 psi for every 10°F. The gas law behind the dashboard warning light, with a worked example and a winter checking routine.
More explainers in progress
How vulcanisation works, the physics of hydroplaning, why racing slicks are illegal on the road, the recycling of end-of-life tires into crumb rubber, and the 6PPD salmon story in full.