What Are The Little Hairs on Tires? (Why Do Tires Have Them)

Whenever you are shopping for tires for a car, most of the time you want new tires. This is because they can last longer and have the best traction you are looking for.

Have you bought a new set of tires lately? Have you noticed that they come with tiny hairs?

Well, what are these little hairs on tires? Are they normal on new tires?

The answer is yes. The little hairs on tires are just common in new tires.

These little hairs have a weird name. They are called vent spews.

They are formed on the tires during the manufacturing process of the tires. Tiny vents result when the tire is molded.

As the air escapes when the tire is molded, the little hairs are formed. They are an inevitable outcome when heat and pressure are given to the tires.

You have two options in regard to these little hairs on tires. You can remove them if you want smooth and clean tires.

Or you can leave them like that because they will not cause any trouble to your vehicle. It is up to you.

If you want to know more about the little hairs on tires, watch the following video:

Myths on Little Hairs on Tires

There are some myths about these little plastic hairs on tires. Read the following:

• You can check the age of the tires by the hair. (This is not true)
• You have to remove the hairs on the tires. (No, you do not have to because they will not harm your tires)
• The little hairs on tires should never be removed. (No, you can remove them if you want.)
• The little hairs are ugly. (It is just an opinion)

How They Get Formed

As already mentioned, the hairs are formed during the manufacturing process where they act as the ventilators for the tires before they become hairs once the tire is cooled.

A tire manufacturing process goes through various stages and one of them is having the hot rubber poured into a mold.

Pressure is applied to the liquid rubber so that it spreads into the various parts of the mold.

Since there is the use of air pressure, there is a chance of ending up with air bubbles too in the tire. Air bubbles can affect the longevity of the tire and that is why it has to be flushed.

The mold has small vent holes allowing for the release of the air trapped in the mold.

So, when the air is forced out of the rubber through these small holes, the liquid rubber also now flows into those small holes thus you end up with small rubber bits in the same vent holes.

Once the small rubber bits harden after cooling the tire, we now end up with what we call tire hairs.

Some might wonder, are they of importance to a finished tire?

No. The hairs on the tire have no use at all and will not affect the tire’s performance. Well, you can rely on them to help you see whether the tire is new or not. Most new tires will have the hair.

Here is a video showing how tires are made

How to Remove Hairs on Tires

The little rubber hairs on tires are the result of the manufacturing process. But they do not play a great role in using your tires.

This means that you can have your tires without them. You are free to remove them if you want your tire to look neat.

Most vehicle owners remove the hairs on their tires. You will decide to make them look clean.

To remove the tiny hairs on the tires, you can do the following:

1. Get a Cutter

Use a razor or nail clipper. They can remove the little nibs on the tires.

Avoid using sharp objects. Do not use blades or scissors as they can damage the tire.

2. Pull the Hairs

You should simply remove the hairs by pulling them out. You can have a more aesthetic result through this.

If you want to learn more about how you can remove hairs on tires, you may watch the following video:

Should You Remove the Tire Hairs?

Some drivers might wonder if they should pull off these hair-like extensions from their tires. However, is it necessary?

Considering these hairs do not affect the tire’s performance, we find that removing them would not affect the tire’s performance.

The best part is that even if you leave them on the tires, they will still not affect the tire’s performance. What you can do is keep driving the vehicle and the hairs should disappear soon enough.

Those hairs on the treads will be the ones to go first. This should take just a few weeks. However, those found on the sidewall can take a while.

However, after using the tires for a few years, they will just fall off without you noticing them.

Tire manufacturers do not recommend shaving off the hairs because it is too much work and will not impact the tire performance in any way. So, just go ahead and enjoy your new tires without worrying too much.

What is the Use of Tire Hairs?

Most drivers think that the hairs on tires can reveal the age of the tires. But the hairs on tires are not used to check that condition.

The hairs on tires are formed on the tires to have air circulation. They are not used to measure the quality of the tires.

Having hairs on tires does not denote that your tires are in the best condition. Remember to always check the tire pressure.

Can Tire Hairs Be Found on All New Tires?

Not all new tires have vent spews. Sometimes, there are new sets of tires without tiny hairs on them.

This will not be a concern because the tires can function the same with or without the hairs. They will not also affect the other features of the tires.

But you should know that hairs can only be found on new tires. The amount of hair depends on the manufacturer of the tires.

Some may have so many hairs. Some can only have a few.

What you should prioritize in buying tires are their features. Be specific about their performance.

Not on the hairs that can be found on them. They will not affect the function of your tires.

Caring for the New Tires

Considering that you now understand what the tire hairs are all about, how best would you care for the new tires? This can always help deliver the best durability.

Look at the car owner’s manual. It will have specific information about the tire pressure to use. This might be something people do not take seriously, but it is important to have the tires inflated correctly.

Underinflating and overinflating can have effects on the tire’s lifespan and the car’s performance.

Here is a video on why tire inflation is important to always consider if you own a car

Another thing to do is have the tires balanced. This is especially when buying in pairs or all four of them. If the tires are well-balanced, then expect to have some good performance generally.

Ensure that the tires are also rotated after covering a few thousand miles. The rotating exercise is important for distributing the wear and tear. The result is that the tires last longer generally.

Regular visual inspections of the tires can also help in spotting potential problems with your car tires.

In case you notice bulges, cuts, and cracks, have a professional look at them for solutions to keep the tires in good condition.

FAQs

Do All Tires Come With Hairs?

It often depends on how the manufacturer makes the tires. There are some that might not have tire hairs, but the majority will have them.

What Do You Call the Hairs on Tires?

Some people call them to tire hairs. They are simply made when air is forced out of the tire during the manufacturing process. The liquid rubber flows into the venting holes thus ending up with hairs.

The hairs on tires have certain names. They are the following:

• Nippers
• Gate marks
• Tire nibs
• Sprue nubs
• Vent spews

How Can I Remove the Hairs of Tires?

Although not necessary, it is still possible to remove the tire hairs. We recommend using a nail clipper, razor, or by hand to remove these tire hairs. Removing the hairs on tires is easy. By using a razor, you can cut off the hair so that the tires will look clean.

You can remove the hairs just for a few minutes. Just be careful in cutting the little nibs of the tires.

Why Do Tire Treads Matter?

Tire treads are important because they can maintain contact with the road. A smooth-surfaced tire may be enough on dry ground.

But when the rain comes, you need the treads so that you can drive safely on a wet road.

Why Do We Find Hairs on the Side of the Tires?

Air bubbles are formed in the tires when they are in the manufacturing process. They become rubber hairs afterward.

Why Are There Slick Tires?

Slick tires are used to accelerate speed. This is needed in car racing.

Tires with fewer grooves have a better grip on the ground. Thus, your car can run faster with minimal treads.

How Will I Know If the Tire is New?

Get a penny and put it on the tire. Place it upside down between the treads.

If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tire is already used for some time. It is worn out and not new.

Why Are There Spikes in New Tires?

The spikes prevent the lug nut from wearing. They can protect it from all types of weather.

Spikes remove the moisture from the wheel as it spins.

What Do You Call the Metal on Tires?

The metal things on tires are called tire beads. They keep the tires fixed on the rim.

Tire beads are usually made of brass or copper. Tires will not slide away from the wheel with the help of the tire beads.

What are the Different Types of Tires?

• Spare Tires

A spare tire is an additional tire in your vehicle. If you will have a flat tire, it will serve as a replacement.

• Mud-Terrain Tires

These tires are good in all extreme weather conditions. They have very soft rubbers that can withstand sticky situations.

• Highway Tires

These tires are good on tar surfaces. They have a good grip on dunes.

• Touring Tires

You will have the best comfortable drive using touring tires. They have all-season traction.

• Summer Tires

Summer tires are also called performance tires. They have the best control over different types of roads.

They are better in warmer conditions or places with a limited downpour.

• All-Season Tires

If the temperature is above 7℃, an all-season tire will be the best to use. It can be good for spring, fall, and summer when the climate is warm.

The rubber in this tire can extract water and give good traction when the season is warm.