Why are car tires always black and cannot change color

Have you ever wondered why car tires are always black? The answer involves durability, safety and science, making this color the most efficient

Part of the fun of owning a car is the ability to customize it. Paint it your favorite color, change the trim, change the seat material, or even stick decorations on the dashboard. But no matter how creative you get, there’s one thing that always stays the same: the color of the tires.

Many people wonder why tires must always be black, regardless of the model or make of the car.

Imagine the personality that colored tires could bring, something similar to children's bicycles with their white or colored wheels.

— ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW —

The first ones were not black

In the early days of automotive engineering, rubber tires did not even exist.

Vehicle wheels were made of wood and later evolved into solid metal, a material that followed the first automobiles.

Despite being strong, metal wheels made driving experiences uncomfortable, as they did not absorb impacts. Driving on uneven roads was almost torture.

At the end of the 19th century, engineers began to look for solutions to soften the driving experience. It was then that the first tires made of natural rubber appeared.

They were white, the result of the rubber mixing process, but they had severe limitations. At high temperatures, they became sticky; in the cold, they hardened like metal.

The search for improving the chemical composition of tires continued. Experimental mixtures included other elements, but something was still missing that would balance strength, flexibility and durability.

The discovery of black carbon

At the turn of the 20th century, British automotive engineer Sidney Charles Mote discovered a revolutionary element: the black carbon.

In experiments with industrial soot, Mote realized that adding this residue to rubber radically changed its properties.

In addition to darkening the mixture, the compound strengthened the tires against temperature variations and increased resistance to wear.

O black carbon not only stabilized the rubber components, but also provided flexibility and grip ability.

This was essential to withstand challenging road conditions such as rain, extreme heat and slippery surfaces.

A tire without black carbon would have its useful life drastically reduced, lasting only around 8.000 km.

This would result in constant replacements, making the maintenance cost unfeasible for most drivers.

Colorful and white stripes

Although the black carbon is essential, some exceptions allow for creativity. Whitewall tires, common on classic cars, use an outer layer of rubber without black carbon to create the retro look.

However, these tires require more care. White rubber is more susceptible to stains and wear, making it less practical for everyday use.

Another attempt to bring color to tires involved synthetic pigments. Despite their aesthetic appeal, these tires proved to be less durable and quickly fell into disuse.

Today, there are some customized options for display or specific-use vehicles, but they are not recommended for everyday use.

The relevance of black tires in safety

Black tires are the default choice for one clear reason: safety.

In addition to the resistance provided by the black carbon, the black color also helps to mask dirt and wear marks, allowing for a more uniform appearance for longer.

Additionally, it is easier to identify cracks or other problems in black rubber, which helps with preventative maintenance.

Colored tires are still a historical curiosity, but the reality is that the black carbon It was a watershed moment.

Since their adoption, tires have not only become safer, but also more affordable for mass production, allowing the automotive industry to evolve into what we know today. Therefore, although style is a differentiator, it is function that prevails.