When shopping for new tires, you need to know what features to expect and how they affect the tire’s performance on the road.
One of the key things you might notice on your new set of tires is the tiny rubber hairs on the surface. Why do new tires have these hairs, and do they have any role? Here’s all you need to know.
Why Do New Tires Have Hairs?
New tires have little rubber hairs known as vent spews, which are a by-product of the tire manufacturing process. When the rubber is injected into the mold, it tends to form air bubbles; therefore, to avoid this, vents are placed to allow trapped air to escape. The tiny bits of rubber that make their way out of the vent holes appear as little hairs.
For more information about why new tires have these hairs, whether you should remove them and how you can do this, keep on reading.
How Do These Hairs Form?
As mentioned above, the hairs form during the tire manufacturing process, and they act as a ventilator for your tire.
Technically known as vent spews, they are also called sprue nubs, gate marks, tire nibs, or nippers.
During the tire manufacturing process, rubber is injected into a tire mold, and air pressure is used to ensure that the liquid rubber spreads out into all the nooks and crannies.
When applying the heat and air pressure, there’s a high chance that some bubbles will form between the rubber and mold; therefore, to avoid this and ensure that the rubber completely fills the mold, air needs to be allowed out.
To make this work, the mold has small vent holes that release the trapped air. As the air pressure is forced the liquid rubber into all parts of the mold, some of the rubber will make its way out of the vent holes.
Once these rubber bits firm up and harden, they remain attached to the tire once it’s removed from the mold and are known as vent spews.
Compared to other prominent features on the tire surface, these hairs have no purpose or role in the tire’s performance; they just indicate the tire is new.
While there are several ways to check for old tires, but once these hairs start disappearing, you’ll know that your tires are no longer new.
Should I Remove Tire Hairs?
Once drivers notice these hair-like extensions, the first question is whether they need to be pulled off and if it’s okay.
However, since they have no impact on the tire’s performance, removing them doesn’t have any consequences.
Therefore, even if you choose to leave them, your tires will perform the same, and the hairs will eventually disappear as your tire ages.
Initially, you’ll notice that the tire spews will shave off on the tread but remain on the shoulder and sidewall for much longer. However, with years of service, these too will disappear.
Manufacturers also don’t shave off the tiny hairs because they are purely cosmetic and have no effect on the tire.
How Do You Remove Tire Hairs?
If the little tire hairs are a bother to you, you can remove them for your peace of mind or aesthetics.
While most car owners will take great pride in clipping off these vent spews, there’s no practical reason for this.
To avoid damaging your tires during the removal process, it’s best to grab them with your hands instead of using scissors and blades, which could cause accidental punctures.
However, if you find it hard to remove the hair using your hands, you can take some time to use a razor or clipper, but you have to be extra careful.
When removing these hairs, it’s best to start with the tread surface and leave the ones on the sidewall and shoulder because these parts are more fragile, and eventually, they will fall off on their own.
Are Tire Hairs Useful?
While most drivers assume that vent spews are used to check for the wear condition of the tire or to reduce noise, these hairs are actually designed for air circulation.
Although they are only present in new tires, they should also not be used as the sole measurement for the quality of a tire.
Just because your tire has vent spews, it doesn’t mean that it’s in good condition; you still need to check the tread and tire pressure either using a pressure gauge or with a professional to confirm.
Do All New Tires Have Hairs?
Although vent spews are found in new tires only, not all tires have them, according to some drivers.
However, this is not a cause of concern because it doesn’t affect how the tire performs or other essential features of the tire.
The hairs will only be present in new tires; therefore, some may have them in plenty depending on the brand or manufacture process, while others have a few.
Once you buy your new set of tires, you should prioritize other features such as tread, which is more critical for the performance of your tires.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on how do nails get in tires, if you can drive with glass in your tires, and what are tire studs.
Conclusion
Tire hairs are a prominent feature on new tires; however, they don’t impact the performance of your tires in any way.
Appearing as hair-like extensions, these vent spews form during the manufacturing process and are left on the tire by the manufacturer because they are purely for aesthetics.
Although they don’t cause any problems, some drivers choose to remove them after buying the tires.
When removing the hairs, it’s advisable to use your hands if you can to avoid damaging the tires or accidentally puncturing them with a sharp razor. Additionally, you should start with the tread and avoid the sidewall and shoulder.
Vent spews are present only in new cars and will fade off after the vehicle has been in service for much longer.