Most drivers know that snow and ice can dramatically affect their safety on the road. Steering, acceleration and braking are more difficult as normal tyres have less grip in these conditions. However, it is not just these extreme wintry conditions which can reduce your safety on the road. Even cold, damp roads can dramatically affect the performance of tyres, leading to an increased accident risk.
Thankfully though, tyre manufacturers have developed a range of winter weather tyres which are specifically designed to operate in these conditions, delivering improved safety throughout the entire winter period.
While snow and ice present the most obvious hazard to motorists, most drivers change their driving style to suit these conditions.
However, cold, damp roads are visually no different to wet conditions in the warmer months and drivers tend not to adjust their driving style. A tyre's performance though, is significantly reduced by this combination of conditions, making cold damp roads one of the highest safety risks to drivers.
If you are in any doubt about the health of your tyres, we can assist you by completing a free tyre health check, just call us on the above telephone number to book an appointment. This includes a visual inspection of your tyres for cuts, cracks and bulges, as these can lead to slow punctures or blowouts.
Should your tyres need repair or replacement, we can advise you on your best course of action and dispose of your old tyres. We stock most leading premium brand names along with many mid-range and economy ranges, all at competitive prices. With over 200,000 tyres online, we are sure we will have something to suit your tyre needs.
You should check your tyre pressures every two weeks and before any long trip, to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Air temperature is a crucial factor in a tyre's ability to perform. When the temperature drops below 7°C, the tread compound in normal tyres begins to harden, providing less grip. The tread compound in winter weather tyres contains more natural rubber and advanced silica compounds to minimise the hardening effect, giving extra grip and shorter stopping distances in cold, damp conditions.
Tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers' Association found that a car braking at 60mph on a wet road at 5°C stopped five metres shorter, equivalent to more than one car length, when fitted with winter weather tyres.
All drivers, irrespective of whether they fit winter weather tyres or not, should carry out regular checks throughout the winter to ensure their tyres are in the best possible condition for maximum safety.
In winter tread depth should be checked to ensure it is well above the legal minimum of 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre, around its entire circumference. The independent TyreSafe body have developed the 20p test for a simple and quick way to test your tyres' tread depth.
Tyre pressures should be checked at least twice a month or before a long journey. Pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold (i.e. travelled less than 2 miles) against the vehicle manufacturers recommended levels.
When checking your tyre pressures, give the rest of the tyre a thorough visual inspection for any signs of damage. Look for any cuts, cracks bulges and remove any embedded objects.
Wet roads, cold temperatures, snow and ice can all contribute to potentially dangerous slip ups such as loss of grip aquaplaning and longer stopping distances.
Email: enquiries@fstyres.co.uk
