Tubeless tires (commonly known as hollow tires) are widely used in new domestic cars and imported vehicles. Due to insufficient understanding of their structure and performance, problems such as premature wear and early damage commonly occur during use. Correct use and maintenance are the keys to extending their service life.
1. Advantages of Tubeless Tires
(1) Excellent air tightness.
Tubeless tires are equipped with an airtight layer made of a special butyl rubber compound. A 2–3 mm thick rubber sealing layer is attached to the outer side of the bead to seal air. Under inflation pressure, the tire fits tightly against the rim to maintain a seal.
(2) Low operating temperature.
Without friction between the inner and outer tubes, and with direct heat dissipation through the rim, the tire runs at a lower temperature, offering higher wear resistance and a longer service life.
(3) Simple structure.
Eliminating inner tubes and rim tapes helps reduce vehicle weight.
(4) Good safety and convenience.
Tubeless tires only fail when bursting. If punctured by foreign objects, air pressure does not drop rapidly, allowing the vehicle to travel at least several kilometers and avoid roadside repairs.
2. Problems in Use and Maintenance
(1) Driving habits identical to those for conventional tires.
Reckless high-speed driving, sharp turns, sudden braking, and hitting obstacles with tires easily deform tires and damage sealing.
(2) Inflation without following standard pressure.
Tubeless tires are highly sensitive to air pressure, yet this is often overlooked in practice. Pressure is judged by experience instead of a pressure gauge, leading to long-term operation at non-standard pressure, shortened service life, and even premature tire scrappage.
(3) Improper addition of inner tubes.
Misunderstanding the structure and performance of tubeless tires, some users install inner tubes to solve frequent pressure loss. This is incorrect: friction between the added inner tube and the tire generates heat that cannot dissipate easily, raising operating temperature, reducing wear resistance, drastically shortening service life, and potentially causing dangerous blowouts, especially at high speeds.
(4) Disassembly and assembly without special tools.
This may cause dents or unevenness on the rim edge or debonding of the tire bead, resulting in air leakage or slow leaks.
(5) Infrequent or improper tire rotation.
Most drivers neglect tire rotation or only rotate tires partially, leading to uneven wear and premature retirement of individual tires.
3. Correct Use and Maintenance
(1) Improve awareness.
Tubeless tires are still relatively new in China. Outdated mindsets shorten their life and prevent full performance.
(2) Strictly follow inflation standards.
Inflating to the specified pressure is critical for longevity. Overinflation reduces flexibility and cushioning, causing rough riding and poor braking. Underinflation is particularly harmful — a common cause of early failure. At the same pressure, radial deformation of tubeless tires is over three times that of conventional tires, risking bead damage, cushion layer separation, and rapid tire failure.
(3) Check and replenish pressure regularly.
Tires slowly lose air even in good condition. Check pressure before departure, during stops, and after parking. Measure pressure with a calibrated gauge when tires have cooled to ambient temperature. Keep valve caps in place to reduce air loss.
(4) Drive properly.
Sharp turns, frequent sudden braking, poor road selection, and hitting obstacles all damage tires. Moderate speed reduces heat buildup and extends life. Research shows tire mileage drops by 15% when speed increases from medium to high.
(5) Use special tools for disassembly, assembly and repair.
Have tires repaired at professional shops with proper equipment. Mark tires before removal to maintain original rolling direction during reinstallation.
(6) Match and install correctly.
Use tires of the same type, tread pattern and wear condition on the same vehicle for even load distribution and uniform wear. Mixed installation accelerates tire damage, drivetrain wear and fuel consumption.
(7) Rotate tires regularly.
Rotate tires after a set mileage to balance fatigue and wear. Use cross rotation for vehicles often running on arched roads, and progressive rotation for those on flat roads.
(8) Maintain good chassis condition.
Incorrect front wheel alignment, deformed rims and dragging brakes all accelerate tire wear.
(9) Important Notes
a) Check tire pressure at ambient temperature.
b) Do not rush to remove foreign objects after puncturing.
c) Adding inner tubes is not recommended. In emergencies, use matching inner tubes and rims; never reuse the original rim without modification.
d) Do not splash water on hot tires. Sudden cooling causes uneven contraction, deformation and cracking.
e) Do not deflate hot tires. Higher pressure from heat is normal. Deflation lowers pressure without reducing temperature, increasing deformation and further heat buildup during continued driving.
4. Tubeless Valve Stems for High-Speed Use
When car tubeless tires are rated for speeds over 210 km/h (V, W, Y or ZR), valve stems may tilt more than 25° due to centrifugal force. Metal clamp-in valve stems or valve stem supports must be used.