What is the Principle of Tubeless Tires?
2 Answers
The principle of tubeless tires relies on inflation and expansion, utilizing the outer tire sealing gasket and the rim's outer structure to enclose the internal gas, with the outer tire also serving the role of an inner tube. Advantages of tubeless tires: Since the edges of automotive tires are particularly smooth, and the rims are also smooth, the rubber material of the tires provides a certain elasticity, ensuring no air leakage under normal conditions. Tubeless tires are pneumatic tires without an inner tube, offering high elasticity and wear resistance. The absence of an inner tube eliminates friction between inner and outer tubes, and heat can be dissipated directly through the rim, providing excellent traction and heat dissipation performance. Precautions for using tubeless tires: Maintain specified air pressure: Tubeless tires are made of high-quality rubber, offering good elasticity and flexibility, with a wide range of adaptability to air pressure. Even at high pressure, they do not feel as stiff as conventional tires. Therefore, a pressure gauge must be used to check the air pressure. Unless punctured, tubeless tires generally do not lose air on their own. Thus, when inflating, use a pressure gauge to ensure the correct pressure is maintained, and never rely on manual feel to decide whether to add air, as with conventional tires. Avoid overloading: Tubeless tires are not pressure-resistant and are unsuitable for overloading. While they are wear-resistant, they cannot withstand excessive pressure, especially given the common issue of overloading in many trucks in China. Excessive overloading makes tubeless tires unsuitable. Some heavy-duty trucks replace the steering wheels with tubeless tires while keeping the primary load-bearing drive wheels as conventional steel-belted tires. This ensures load capacity while improving driving comfort, serving as a good compromise.
I've worked in the auto shop for over twenty years and know tubeless tires inside out. The principle is quite straightforward: it eliminates the inner tube, directly pressing the tire bead against the rim to form a seal, trapping the air inside. If punctured by a nail, air leaks slowly instead of bursting abruptly like traditional tube tires, allowing you to drive safely to a repair shop. I've seen countless accidents avoided this way, giving owners much peace of mind. Patching is also hassle-free—just plug it with a rubber strip without the trouble of removing the wheel. Maintenance tips: avoid rim dents as they ruin the seal; regular checks on tire pressure and bead wear are essential. Compared to older designs, tubeless tires are lighter, more durable, and provide steadier performance at high speeds—a safety upgrade I'd recommend to everyone.
