As the nights grow longer and the temperature grows colder, one thing is definitely sure: winter is coming and it waits for no one. Since the weather conditions are changing, this is a very important time of the year to check your tyres, or your entire vehicle in general, and make it ready for winter.
Cold weather has a significant effect on our tyres: for every 10-degree drop in the temperature, a decrease of 2 pounds in tyre pressure level can be experienced. As you already know by now, maintaining proper tyre pressure is important in ensuring the roadworthiness of your vehicle.
In order to keep yourself, as well as your loved ones, warm and safe while driving a vehicle, here are some of the safety checks you should carry out.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WINTER TYRE CHECKS
As the weather begins to grow colder, the probability of motorists not performing safety checks happens more often than we expect.
When was the last time you checked your tyres? Probably in the heat of summertime. If so, you and numerous motorists may have tyres that are critically underinflated.
Check your tyre pressure. When it comes to safety checks, maintaining correct tyre pressure is one of the most important things that should be inspected regularly.
If your tyres are severely underinflated, it will cause various problems. It will increase the probability of wear throughout the outer edges of your tyres. If an increasing amount of your tyre comes in contact with the road, tyre drooping can be expected and it may eventually lead to a build-up of excessive heat. If your tyres are too hot, it may lead to unanticipated tyre failure and a reduction in your fuel economy or rolling resistance.
It is recommended to check your tyres at least once a month, especially before the arrival of a new season: as you can remember, temperature fluctuation will severely affect your tyre pressure.
Every vehicle is different. To determine the proper level of tyre pressure of your vehicle, take out your vehicle manual and check what the optimum tyre pressure is. As soon as you find out, begin to adjust your tyre pressure accordingly. This is a vital part of tyre safety.
Check your tread depth. Driving on wet and icy conditions is a slippery ordeal. In order for your vehicle to successfully manoeuvre under those types of weather conditions, the proper tread depth of your winter tyres must be maintained. If your tread depth is insufficient, it may result in reduced tyre grip, aquaplaning and increased stopping distances.
Take out a twenty-pence coin and insert it on the treads of your tyres. Make sure that 75% of the treads around your tyres are on the 1.6mm level, the minimum tread depth that is required.
Check your tyres for other issues. Aside from checking out the tyre pressure and tread depth, it is also very important for you to check minor issues before they become worse. For instance, check your tyres for any small signs of bulging, cuts, bumps or lumps. If left unattended, these issues may get worse and give you hazardous driving conditions. To address these issues, call on your friendly and trusted tyre specialists as soon as you can.
Invest in your safety. Summer tyres are made for summer while winter tyres are specially made for winter. Making sure that you are properly geared to face the harshest of weather conditions is very beneficial, especially if you frequently take long commutes or if you live in a remote area.
Winter tyres are designed to cope with and endure low temperatures, icy roads and snow. They can help you reduce your stopping distances and help you control your vehicle better. Because winter tyres have more sipes, braking and handling in icy conditions are dramatically improved.
Some people may be hesitant to change their summer tyres of some rumours that winter tyres wear more quickly. Although the rubber used in winter tyres is different, its durability is comparable with other types of tyres. If it exceeds 10 years of usage, you should have them replaced with a new set.
As to when exactly you should replace your winter tyres, just take note of the tips we have mentioned earlier but to reiterate some important points, your winter tyres must be replaced if they reach below the minimum required tread depth of 1.6mm.
If you are planning to take a long journey, it is vital to check your tyre pressure while your tyres are cold. After checking your tyre pressure, you should check your tyres for any signs of damage.
These safety checks should be regularly taken without regard as to what type of weather you will be driving in because any deviation from the normal will affect the overall performance of your vehicle: even on dry roads, having less than normal tread depth or tyre inflation can affect your braking, acceleration and steering. How much more in cold and icy conditions?
Thankfully, winter tyres have been designed to withstand tough conditions. All you need to do is regularly check their condition to make sure that you arrive at your destination safe and sound!
If you are looking for high-quality winter tyres at reasonable prices, Imperial Tyres can supply and fit it for you. We can supply a large range of tyre brands and tyre sizes that are suitable for all types of vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, agricultural, plant, mower and forklifts). People from Wiltshire and the surrounding areas are welcome to contact our wheel alignment and tyre specialists on 01793 531990 or sales@imperialtyres.co.uk!