Discussion
No it applies to all new tyres. First off you need to scrub off the release agent, then you need to heat cycle the tyres at least once. To do this just use moderately firm acceleration, cornering and braking to heat the tyres up to about 50 deg C (hot to the touch but not quite scalding), then leave them to cool down naturally. Each time you do this the tyres will cure a little bit more, but the first time makes the biggest difference. What the heat does is continue the vulcanising process so the tyres are mechnically stiffer and stronger. This means they distort less under load so you get less heat and more grip, and they wear better. You don't *have* to do this to new tyres, but it's well worth it if you're expecting to push the tyres hard and want better grip and durability.
Think I might get a job as 'Release Agent Remover, Heat Cycler and Vulcaniser' 
Do I take it that brand new tyres do not offer maximum grip until run in, or is it simply a technique for improving wear?
It's amazing to think that whilst we have the latest alloy wheels and carbon fibre dashboards, we still rely on tree sap mixed with vinegar to keep us the road!
Do I take it that brand new tyres do not offer maximum grip until run in, or is it simply a technique for improving wear?
It's amazing to think that whilst we have the latest alloy wheels and carbon fibre dashboards, we still rely on tree sap mixed with vinegar to keep us the road!
You forgot the smoking with sulphur. Without it the tyres would melt away...
Goodyear invented vulcanisation but the Goodyear company was founded by someone else who nicked his process and name...
Brand new tyres are like wet vinyl until scrubbed in. The competition tyres etc that were all here about being better when new are a very soft compound and are very different from the road tyres.
Goodyear invented vulcanisation but the Goodyear company was founded by someone else who nicked his process and name...
Brand new tyres are like wet vinyl until scrubbed in. The competition tyres etc that were all here about being better when new are a very soft compound and are very different from the road tyres.
well it is the weekend shpub said:
You forgot the smoking with sulphur. Without it the tyres would melt away...
Goodyear invented vulcanisation but the Goodyear company was founded by someone else who nicked his process and name...
Brand new tyres are like wet vinyl until scrubbed in. The competition tyres etc that were all here about being better when new are a very soft compound and are very different from the road tyres.
Well, I stuffed No6 into a tyre wall in practice at Combe on old tyres - this meant I couldn't scrub my brand new tyres in (and heat cycle them) in qualifying, and I therefore had to start the Sprint race on brand spanking new tyres.
Result - the tyres overheated, the pressures on the near side went over 40psi and the car was almost undriveable. 15th place.
Once the tyres had cooled down (heat cycle complete) the pressures weren't an issue, stayed where they should have been - 9th place.
Even with competition slicks, a heat cycle is very important.
Mind you, the way Ed drives, it won't make the slightest bit of difference
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