What is Nitrogen? Is it Good For Your Tyres?

Posted on October 11, 2020August 11, 2021 by Minty's Writer

Nitrogen. At first glance, it can be rather daunting or scary when you see the word Nitrogen and often many people would turn away or just look right past it. If you have done this, don’t worry you are not the first nor will you be the last. There are many people who scoffed at the idea of putting Nitrogen in their tyres, but let me tell you, it’s one of the best things you can do.

So let’s first clarify this, naturally there would be air in your tyres but we are suggesting is that you inflate them with Nitrogen instead.

Thanks to the inert properties, tyres inflated with nitrogen are beneficial for highly specialised service applications in demanding environments, such as aviation, mining or construction.

Dry nitrogen mitigates tyre pressure variations, so nitrogen-filled tyres are also used in professional racing, where even the smallest changes in pressure can impact ultra-high-performance vehicle handling at extreme speeds.

So is Nitrogen right for your tyres?

After all, tyres are the very thing keeping your car in contact with the harsh road surfaces out there. Well, let us put it this way, it’s definitely not going to harm your tyres by using it. What will happen is that your tyre PSI will remain at a steady constant for a longer period of time. If you use regular air, your pressure will drop through permeation a little more quickly.

This is not to say that should you puncture one of your tyres that the pressure won’t decrease as fast as it normally would with regular it, Nitrogen does not act as a magic sealant. It does however maintain your constant running pressure which helps with tyre wear, consumption and overall driving experience.

So there you have it folks, the conclusion is that Nitrogen tyres are better overall compared to regular air.

Why You Need Good Tyres

Posted on September 17, 2020June 17, 2021 by Minty's Writer

You get up for work, follow your normal morning routine and as you are about to hop into your car, you notice your tyre is flat. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, however you just remembered that four months ago you got a flat tyre on the side of the highway, and now your spare tyre has also deserted you. You are in a bit of a pickle.

You manage to hitch a ride with a friend to get your tyres sorted out, however he asks you the million dollar question, “Where do you want to go?”

The answer is clear, you need to go to a tyre specialist. Here comes the big kicker, what makes a tyre specialist? A tyre specialist is someone that can provide you with multiple products revolving around your tyres while taking your best interests to heart. The kind of services that they could offer you are; Wheel and Tyre Replacement, Wheel Balancing, Nitrogen Inflation, Puncture Repairs, Tyre Rotation and Wheel Alignment.

All of these things are vitally important and each play their role. For example, wheel balancing, wheels that are not balanced or are out of balance generally produce a vibration that is uncomfortable to drive and results in premature wearing of suspension and steering components.

Wheel Alignment, maintaining proper wheel alignment is essential to avoid unnecessary wear on your tyres, steering, suspension and brakes. Accurate wheel alignment optimises driving stability, maximises tyre life and improves your vehicle’s overall handling performance.

Wheel rotation is another one that is often overlooked. Rotating tires is a critical maintenance step because it extends the life of your tyres and greatly increases your safety on the road. Additionally, many tire mileage warranties require rotation to keep the warranty valid.

Your tyre specialist will also be able to help keep you on the road for longer by ensuring your tyres and tread are always in good working order.

Know More About Tyres

Posted on August 18, 2020February 18, 2021 by Minty's Writer

The oldest physical evidence of wheeled movement was found in the form of miniature clay wheels north of the Black Sea before 4000 B.C. from the middle of the 4th millennium BC. A Tyre is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a wheel’s rim to transfer a vehicle’s load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide traction on the surface over which the wheel travels.

A word tire is a short form of attire, from the idea that a wheel with a tire is a dressed wheel. The spelling Tyre did not appear until the 1840s when the English began to shrink fitting railway car wheels with malleable iron.

Most tyres, such as those for automobiles are pneumatically inflated structures, which also provide a flexible cushion that absorbs shock as the Tyres roll over a rough or wet surface. Tyres provide a footprint, called a contact patch that is designed to match the weight of the vehicle with the bearing strength of the surface by providing a bearing pressure that will not deform the surface excessively.

The earliest tyres were bands of leather rather than iron (later steel) placed on wooden wheels used on carts and wagons. The first patent appeared to be a standard pneumatic Tyre, appeared in 1847 lodged by Scottish inventor Robert William Thomson but this never went into production. The first practical pneumatic Tyre was made in 1888 on May Street, Belfast, by Scots-born John Boyd Dunlop later Sir John Fagan participated in designing the first pneumatic Tyre. In 1946, Michelin developed the radial Tyre method of construction (which is one of the leading Tyre brands For Sale on the market).

So the materials of modern pneumatic Tyres are natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric and wire, along with carbon black and other chemical compounds. They consist of a tread and a body, the tread provides traction while the body provides containment for a quantity of compressed air.

There are different classifications of Tyres. There are two major classes of Tyres for Sale, according to the presence or absence of a tube in them. Thus, they are called ‘tubed Tyres’ and ‘tubeless Tyres’ respectively. Furthermore, based on the construction or skeleton of Tyres known as carcass, Tyres are classified into the following main types:

Cross-ply or bias-ply
Radial ply
Belted-bias ply: This is a combination of the above-mentioned types.

However, the majority of the Tyres used nowadays belong to the class of radial tubeless Tyres.

So come into your local Minty’s anywhere nationwide or contact us and let our experts have a look at your vehicle for the perfect Tyre for your wheels. And let us fit your vehicle with the best Tyre from our vast and varied range of Tyres with a smile and expert experience.

Minty’s is amongst the leading tyre suppliers in South Africa, and is recognized for our high standard of customer service. We have built a reputation amongst our customers and ensure that they receive tyres and alloy wheels of the highest quality, amongst the largest brands nationwide.

When To Get Tyres For Sale

Posted on July 17, 2020February 17, 2021 by Minty's Writer

Tyres can be quite an investment that sometimes may come along at the strangest of times. There may not always be the budget for the types of tyres you want but there are ways to find tyres for sale.

There are certain times during the year when you will be lucky to catch a good deal on a set of four tyres.

Here are the popular the times of the year as to when you can find tyres for sale.

January

This is the new year period and when a lot of the previous year’s stock will go on sale. Why? Because new stock will be coming in soon and the tyre specialist needs to make room for the new stock. Therefore, all of last years stock needs to go. And the best part is that those tyres are still brand new and in great condition so you score on these new year tyre sales.

April

Is the month of Easter so as many retailers will run an Easter promotion so could tyre specialists. You could get a free gift thrown in with your tyres. It all depends on the promotion that’s running.

June to August

June is the onset of winter so there may be a demand for winter tyres. This is when winter tyre sales start. You could get deals like buy 3 tyres and get 1 free. You could even get good deals on run flat tyres. That is good saving if you can find these kind of deals.

September

Who doesn’t love a good Spring Sale? And one on tyres is even better. You can start the new bright season with a set of new tyres that you got on sale.

November

The last Friday of November is Black Friday and that’s when the great tyre specials come out. You could get a really good discount on tyres on Black Friday.

December

This is the festive season and every one is merry and giving away gifts. You could be lucky enough to get a free gift when you buy a set of tyres. It’s always nice to get something for free.

There you have it. That’s when you can get those tyres for sale.

Find Mags That Suit Your Car

Posted on June 17, 2020February 17, 2021 by Minty's Writer

There comes a time when you get tired of looking at those old rims on your car and you want to get something new and different. But there’s so many mags to choose from and the temptation to take anyone of them is so high. Because you just love so many of the styles.

Stop. Think about this.

What do you really want?

What style of alloy wheels really make you stop?

It has to be one that you cannot take your eyes off of. It simply draws you in like a moth to a flame. Ok. So the first attraction is there. But is this the mag for your car?

Now imagine those allow wheels on your car. Does the car look better? The idea of the mags is that it should enhance the look of your car. It should complement the design on your vehicle. For example, if you have a hatchback, then spoked mags will look so cool. Even better if it’s split spokes with a slight curve. It will give the car a racing appeal. It’s best not to go for alloy wheels that are too bulky for a small car because it could create the appearance that the vehicle is not quite balanced in the overall look. The wheels should suit the car not make it look weird. It should turn heads for all the right reasons because it just looks so good.

And be aware of the size of the mags that you choose. You may be tempted to go for the largest rims because that’s what society dictates for you to be considered cool. But you must consider what your car can handle. Oversized mags can be risky and make handling of the car very difficult especially when it comes to steering. Speak to your tyre specialist as to what the largest safest size will be for your car. Then choose the mags you love.

Give Your Car a Makeover

Posted on May 16, 2020February 16, 2021 by Minty's Writer

When you have the same car for years you can become bored of it. But you don’t want to get rid of your car because you love it so much and it’s a part of the family. Why not give your car a makeover. Same car, new look.

Here are some tips on giving your car a new look

Change the seat covers on the inside of the car. If you had a fabric material, you may want to reupholster the seats with a longer lasting leather material. Leather is also easier to clean if liquids or foods are spilled on it. If you’re parent, you will be able to relate to this dilemma. Newly upholstered seats will not only make it look good and new on the inside but it will also have that new car smell.
Get a new set of rims. A different set of alloy wheels will automatically change the look of the car. The style and the design of the mag wheels can instantly enhance the car. It could even be a head turner. It might be a good idea to get a new set of tyres to go with the rims to complete the fresh new look.
Add a few decorative yet tasteful decals on the car. Be strategic about where you want to place the decals and the design of the decals should be tasteful. Adding a touch of flames on the rear bumper or some wave graphics on the hood can create the drama you’re looking for. The design you choose will be up to you. A quick tip – see whether you can find examples of these applications on other cars so that you can get a visual of what it will look like before you apply it to your car.

Giving your car a makeover can be a lot of fun plus you’ll come out on the other end with what looks like a new car.

Preparing Your Car for a Road Trip

Posted on April 16, 2020February 16, 2021 by Minty's Writer

The thought of taking a road trip especially if it’s for a holiday is one of the best feelings in the world. The idea of taking on the long road is a chance to clear your mind and your thoughts and to just drive away from the reality of life. A road trip with your favourite people and your family is a recipe for joy.

Before all the fun can begin, the serious stuff needs to happen first.

You must make sure that your car is in a good condition that it can take on the long extended driving. You might be driving for 10 to 15 hours depending on your destination.

Can your car handle the strenuous continuous driving?

If you haven’t taken your car for a service in the past year then it is advisable to get your car serviced. During the service all the essential components of the car will be checked and any worn parts will be replaced. The oil and water will be topped up and you will be given the go ahead after the service to take on the road.

Are your tyres up for it?

You must have good tyres if you’re going to drive such a long distance. Inspect the tyres thoroughly. Check the following.

Is the tyre tread deep enough?
Are the tyres damaged anywhere?
Are they optimally inflated?
Also check the wheel alignment.

You may want to take your car to a tyre specialist to inspect the tyres and give you professional advice to ensure that you are safe to tackle the long road.

Having a well-serviced car with tyres that are in good condition will enhance your safety on the road. It will also give you the added peace of mind that parts won’t break down while you’re in the middle of nowhere. Have fun on your road trip.

Why Toyo Tyres Are A World Renowned Brand

Posted on March 16, 2020February 16, 2021 by Minty's Writer

If you’ve been researching tyres and searching the internet for options, you must have noticed that Toyo Tyres are all over the place. Toyo Tyres is a world renowned brand and this is why.

If you’re a sports lover and enjoy watching sports on television, you would have seen the Toyo brand in different locations. You would have seen it in football, the MMA ring, motorsports arena and various other locations. It feels like it is pretty much everywhere. I challenge you to go out there this week and spot the Toyo logo. You’ll be surprised how often you will see it. Count the times you see it and tell us. Toyo Tyres does a great job at keeping their brand in the public space because they are a brand that can be trusted and has delivered on their quality tyres time and time again.

Toyo Tyres offers top quality tyres for various applications that extend from the everyday driving needs of the city driver to high speed professional racing, and even off-road applications. There’s a set of Toyo Tyres for every need and every need for speed. I had to throw that in there just for the Need for Speed fans. You know who you are.

Anyway, it’s not only the fact that you see the brand all over the place that makes it famous, it’s the quality that they deliver on every time. People become loyal to the brand because the tyres give them what they want and allows their vehicles to perform at their optimal capabilities. Good tyres can make a good car, a great car.

Whether you drive to work everyday with your car, or you are a professional racing driver, you will enjoy the driving experience that Toyo Tyres grants you every time you sit behind the wheel of your car.

Choosing Nexen Tyres for Your Sedan or Hatchback

Posted on February 16, 2020February 16, 2021 by Minty's Writer

You love your car and you enjoy driving it. After all, there are so many reasons why you bought it in the first place. Now you simply can’t stop looking at it because you love it so much. If you love your car so much that means you only want the best parts for it.

So when it comes to the tyres this is no different, you want quality tyres that will enhance the performance of your car. Nexen tyres are an ideal option for your sedan or hatchback. These tyres have been built with innovative technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing procedures. Nexen tyres are known for their modernisation, plus they have won a number of awards for their design. All these qualities are what give you peace of mind when considering these tyres for your vehicle.

Nexen tyres come in a variety of options which are suitable for various sedans and hatchbacks because they come in different sizes, of course. You’ll need to discuss your requirements with your tyre specialist because Nexen tyres offers tyres that are suitable for everyday city driving, long distance driving, different weather conditions, and eco friendly tyres. There is a set of tyres to suit every driver’s needs.

So which tyres could you look at?

Well, there’s the N Fera range, N Priz and N8000. Furthermore, the N Blue range is also an option plus the Eco option is available in this range. If you’re an environmentalist you will love the Nexen N Blue Eco tyres. The eco tyres are all about keeping emissions to a minimum and doing our bit to save the planet.

Whether you’re driving a 3-Series or a Golf, there is certainly a set of Nexen tyres that will tick the boxes your need. Take your time to do the research in order to select the option that suits your daily driving requirements.

Why Should You Inflate Your Tyres with Nitrogen?

Posted on January 16, 2020February 16, 2021 by Minty's Writer

Driving around town is one thing but when you have to drive through all types of weather conditions and tend to take long drives, that’s another. You may be a person that’s on the road a lot because of their work responsibilities that takes them to different people and places all the time. For this reason it is really necessary to take care of all the aspects of your car.

One of those aspects that takes a lot of the strain is the tyres. Think about it… the tyres are constantly working when you’re driving. It has to endure all the terrains you tackle, the long distances you travel and endure all the weather conditions you submit it to.

If this sounds like you then you might want to consider nitrogen tyre inflation. And here is why.

Nitrogen inflated tyres improves the fuel economy of your vehicle so you can stretch your fuel just that little bit more. And that’s certainly a good reason on its own especially now that fuel prices are so high.
It increases tyre’s lifespan. So your tyres tend to last longer than they would have with normal inflated air.
You will find that the tyre pressure is more stable when it is inflated with nitrogen.
It gives you a better grip on the road, whether you’re on a straight road or have to take on a number of bends.
It is also the safer option when it comes to all types of weather conditions.

There are certainly a lot of perks when it comes to nitrogen tyre inflation. It gives you value for your bucks and grants you the longevity that your tyres were manufactured for. So if you’re the one who spends a lot of time on the road you may want to consider the option of inflating your tyres with nitrogen.