Go-Cart Racing Tire Tips: Measuring Tire Size and Safety Guidelines When Mounting

There are several considerations you have to take into account when dealing with tires for go-cart racing. In this article, we will be discussing how to measure the tires for your racing go-carts for you to be able to order and buy the proper ones when you need new ones. And aside from this, we will also be discussing what you need to know as precautionary measures when installing these new tires to your racing go-cart.

First of all, we have to know how to interpret the measurements of the tires by breaking these down. The first one, which will be illustrated by the example: "4.5 – 3.50 x 5" can be broken down such that:

-> '4.5' – the first number – represents, in inches, a racing go-cart tire's maximum width. This is measured across a sidewall to the sidewall opposite to it.

-> '3.50' – the second number – represents the size of the tread, also in inches

-> '5' – the last number – measured in inches and represents the inside diameter of the racing go-cart's tire. This is also the size of where the tire sits on the rim (called the bead area).

Another way to measure the tire of a go-cart for racing which will be exemplified by '14 -.600 x 6' can be broken down as such:

-> '15' – the first number – is the tire's maximum height measured from top to bottom. This is measured in inches.

-> '6.00' – the second number – width of the go-cart's race tire in inches measured from a sidewall across its opposite sidewall.

-> '6' – the last number is the measured bead area in inches.

Now that you know how to interpret a racing go-cart's tire measurements, we can now start determining your racing go-cart's tire measurements. There are 4 ways to be able to do these.

- The first one is to check the size of your old tire. As what we have learned earlier, the last number represents the bead are and the inside diameter of the tire. Please take note that there are slight differences in actual measurements for each brand of tires for go-cart racing. Avoid mixing the tire brands on the tire's front and sides and the rear sides of the go-cart.

- Another way, especially for cases when you have the wheel but no tire available, is to measure the bead area of the wheel where the tire will seat. If the measurement is 5 inches then it follows that the go-cart's racing tires should measure 5 inches. Take note, however that the bead area is not measured from the outside edge diameter to the edge of the opposite outside.

- If the old tire does not have its measurement indicated, then measure the bead area of your go-cart's wheel.

- In cases where you can't measure the bead area of a wheel, you can get your go- cart's race tires by measuring the wheel's outside diameter and subtracting 1 inch from it. Such that if you were able to get 5 inches as the rim's outside diameter, subtract 1 inch from this and you get 4" for the bead area which will make a 4 inched go-cart racing tire fit.

Now that you know how to measure your racing go-cart's tires and how to interpret the way tire measurements are represented, let us discuss some precautions you have to observe when installing and mounting new race tires for your go-carts.

1. Before mounting the new race tires of your go-cart, lubricate the tire beads. You can do this by using tire lubricants that are industry-approved or soap solutions.

2. In-line gauges with regulated air pressure and extension hoses should be used during the process of mounting the race tires of the go-cart.

3. When inflating, do not expose any part of your body and stand back from the racing go-cart's tires or wheels.

4. Always use a safety cage or safety glasses and other restraining devices while working.

5. When seating the racing go-cart's tire, NEVER pry against the rims of the wheel be this made of aluminum, plastic or nylon.
6. When seating tires on two-piece wheels, NEVER exceed the indicated PSI of the racing go-cart's tire. If there are difficulties in seating the tire, deflate it completely, disassemble it and lubricate the tire beads again.

As an important warning in mounting the tires of racing go-carts: always make sure that you follow instructions and that beads are seated properly. Air pressure exceeding 25 PSI does not only cause the breakage of the bead but it can also cause the assembly to burst and blow up with a force strong enough to produce serious and fatal injuries.

Always make sure that the rims are cleaned and lubricated well including the racing go-cart's tires. Make sure also that the beads are placed on the center. Follow the vehicle's manufacturer's recommendations on inflating the tires and not the markings on the tire.

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