Floods have featured heavily in the news media lately. We've just experienced the wettest summer in UK history, and the consequent flooding has affected a number of cars. In some instances the results have included fatalities. Your car tyres may provide as much grip as you need – until your car starts to float. Yet the tyres won't stop a car sinking, or being swept away. Here's how to deal with floodwater.
There you are, driving along, minding your own business. It's pouring with rain but you're perfectly confident about your car tyres' abilities on wet tarmac. Then it happens, you're faced with glossy sheen of floodwater in your path. Your thoughts begin to race. 'Should I keep going, or turn round?'; 'Will I get stuck?'; 'How deep is it?'
Depth is the very first thing to consider in such a situation. In most instances, a car can handle floodwater as deep as its wheel rims – the car tyres will be submerged but they'll cope. The snag is; how do you gauge the depth of the water?
There is no simple answer to this question. You may have local knowledge to tell you what to expect in a given location. You may have a good view of the white line, or you may have just seen another car successfully wading through the water. There are, however, warnings to consider. For example, you can bet your car tyres that a flood stretching away out of sight, such as around a blind bend, is liable to get deeper. Similarly, your seeing a big 4x4 happily paddling doesn't mean your saloon car will manage.
Apart from your car tyres' role, the major element to consider is your engine. All engines compress the fuel and air mixture that enters their cylinders. A petrol engine may squash the mixture by a factor of fourteen, while a Diesel engine might compress the mixture to twenty-five times atmospheric pressure. Here's the rub: you can compress air, you can compress vapourised fuel but you cannot – repeat cannot – compress water. A surprisingly small drink of floodwater will instantly stop whichever pistons encounter it. However, the connecting rods will still be pushed upwards by the crankshaft…but not for long. Broken or bent conrod(s) – for which read 'scrap the engine' are the inevitable result. This is exacerbated by many modern cars having a low-mounted air intake. Cool air drawn form low down equals improved combustion. Water drawn into the air intake equals a dead stop.
What, then, is in our line of defence before we try to dip our car tyres into floodwater? Local news, via the TV, radio or Internet, are helpful sources, provided you pay attention to them. It's also a great idea to have a fully charged, functional mobile phone with you, just in case. Remember that, if you encounter a flood, asking around – especially if the police are present – could save your life, let alone your car.
Now for the worst-case scenario. You arrive at flood and have to decide on how to tackle it. Stop and take a look, getting out of your car unless you're 100% sure of the water's depth. Is the white line, or the underwater tarmac surface visible? If so, remember you can go to about the depth of your car tyres' sidewalls in most cars. Is the water still? If it's rushing, forget it – unless you fancy being on the news. Moreover, if someone starts beeping at you to hurry, invite him/her to go first. You'll know what to do if this car suffers a grinding halt.
Assuming you plan to go for it, put your trust in your car tyres and go slowly forward. Use a low gear, so that the increased engine revolutions will allow the exhaust gases to keep the water at bay. Go slowly, so as to not create a big bow wave – which might just drown your engine. And remember to stick to the crown of the road, where the water will be shallowest.
Finally, though your car tyres will dry off after a few revolutions, your brakes will stay wet. Lightly touch the brake pedal until you feel the brakes bite again.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Showing posts with label car tyre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car tyre. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Life Lessons. How To Maximise Car Tyre Life
Maximizing your car tyres' useful life is as much about being both safe and legal as it is about saving money in the long run. Your car tyres may not receive too much of your attention but a combination of forethought and maintenance will help you achieve the very best results for your car tyres.
Buy the right tyres
Car tyre choice is a matter of making an educated selection. So-called 'long-life' tyres may perform as advertised but can have downsides. They are liable to be noisier in use than 'normal' tyres, whilst also being less grippy. Similarly, 'normal' tyres could save you a few pounds but could let a higher performance car down grip-wise. The solution? Trust your tyre fitter.
Make sure your wheels are properly aligned
Given that wheels running out of alignment spell an early demise for car tyres, it's worth having a wheel alignment check at tyre replacement time. Significant misalignment will show in odd wear patterns on the tyre treads, and can make the steering feel odd.
If you've encountered a big pothole, road debris, or have had an argument with a kerb, get the alignment checked as a matter of course.
Use the right pressure
You can usually find this out from a sticker on your car's doorpost, or from your user manual. Too little tyre pressure can cause fuel-wasting drag, excessive tyre flexing and tyre failure through overheating. Too much air in your tyres can lead to premature wear and unreliable handling.
Drive with sympathy
…,for your car tyres, that is. Consistently taking corners at 9/10th of your car's (or your) abilities shortens tyre life. The same goes for aggressive accelerating and braking. Movie stunt men don't have to pay for their car tyres!
Give your tyres a break
Following on from the previous tip, this kind of mechanical sympathy specifically concerns physical damage to your car tyres. We have, for our pains, got to put up with speed bumps and speed pads on our highways. We don't, however, have to let them damage our car's wheels and tyres.
The way to tackle these devices is to treat them as what they are – hazardous to your car tyres. Always cross them slowly. If you come across the kind of speed restrictor where there's one speed pad per carriageway, never straddle them. Instead, let the wheels on one side of your car traverse them. Also, try to avoid touching a kerb, far less mounting one.
Driving like this will protect your car tyres, as well as greatly reducing the chances of expensive and/or dangerous damage to wheels.
These are proven practices that will prolong the life of your car tyres. They can also help save wear and tear on your car's wheels, suspension and steering. Don't be misled by knowing that car tyres are very tough indeed. They are tough but they aren't invincible. Pay attention to the above and stay safe, and you will save money by not having to replace your tyres before their useful life ends.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Buy the right tyres
Car tyre choice is a matter of making an educated selection. So-called 'long-life' tyres may perform as advertised but can have downsides. They are liable to be noisier in use than 'normal' tyres, whilst also being less grippy. Similarly, 'normal' tyres could save you a few pounds but could let a higher performance car down grip-wise. The solution? Trust your tyre fitter.
Make sure your wheels are properly aligned
Given that wheels running out of alignment spell an early demise for car tyres, it's worth having a wheel alignment check at tyre replacement time. Significant misalignment will show in odd wear patterns on the tyre treads, and can make the steering feel odd.
If you've encountered a big pothole, road debris, or have had an argument with a kerb, get the alignment checked as a matter of course.
Use the right pressure
You can usually find this out from a sticker on your car's doorpost, or from your user manual. Too little tyre pressure can cause fuel-wasting drag, excessive tyre flexing and tyre failure through overheating. Too much air in your tyres can lead to premature wear and unreliable handling.
Drive with sympathy
…,for your car tyres, that is. Consistently taking corners at 9/10th of your car's (or your) abilities shortens tyre life. The same goes for aggressive accelerating and braking. Movie stunt men don't have to pay for their car tyres!
Give your tyres a break
Following on from the previous tip, this kind of mechanical sympathy specifically concerns physical damage to your car tyres. We have, for our pains, got to put up with speed bumps and speed pads on our highways. We don't, however, have to let them damage our car's wheels and tyres.
The way to tackle these devices is to treat them as what they are – hazardous to your car tyres. Always cross them slowly. If you come across the kind of speed restrictor where there's one speed pad per carriageway, never straddle them. Instead, let the wheels on one side of your car traverse them. Also, try to avoid touching a kerb, far less mounting one.
Driving like this will protect your car tyres, as well as greatly reducing the chances of expensive and/or dangerous damage to wheels.
These are proven practices that will prolong the life of your car tyres. They can also help save wear and tear on your car's wheels, suspension and steering. Don't be misled by knowing that car tyres are very tough indeed. They are tough but they aren't invincible. Pay attention to the above and stay safe, and you will save money by not having to replace your tyres before their useful life ends.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Eight Car Tyre Challenges: What Affects Tyre Life
All car tyres wear – they are, after all, consumable items. However, some car tyres wear faster than others. Let’s take a look at eight aspects that affect car tyre life.
1. Wheel Alignment
When your car’s wheel alignment is correct, the tyres can run true on the road. This means that a balance exists between the car tyre’s drag and the amount of compliance in the car’s suspension. Incorrect alignment spells increased wear, and can affect your rear wheels as well as the front ones.
2. Speed
Continuous high-speed driving accelerates car tyre wear. If you doubt this, just take a look at Formula One – pit stops aren’t to give the driver a rest while the tyres are changed!
3. Driving Style
If you drive sympathetically, your car tyres will last longer. Drive aggressively and you’ll pay for it through having to replace your car tyres sooner. An aggressive driving style will raise car tyre flexing and running temperature, and increase tread wear.
4. Car Tyre Placement
On a rear-wheel drive car, the front tyres must cope with steering and braking while the rear tyres offer traction as well as grip. On a front-wheel-drive car, the front tyres have still more to do, consequently wearing faster.
5. Vehicle Weight
Heavier vehicles wear our car tyres faster than lighter ones. There are, of course, heavier duty car tyres to compensate for this to some extent. However, the basic principle remains.
6. Car Tyre Type
Car tyres are constructed to meet particular needs. A performance tyre will give superior grip but will wear out sooner, as it has a softer rubber compound. Conversely, a harder, long life tyre will offer a longer life, at the cost of lesser grip and increased noise. There are tyre types that offer a compromise between the various demands on car tyres.
7. Tyre Pressure
An underinflated car tyre flexes more, runs hotter and wears faster than a correctly inflated one. Underinflation also increases fuel consumption, by creating additional tyre drag. Overinflation is nearly as bad, causing strange wear patterns and reducing grip.
8. The Passage of Time
This is the one aspect affecting tyre life that can’t be avoided. Ultra violet light causes rubber to degrade, as do chemical spills on the road. The usual giveaway is the appearance of cracked sidewalls…themselves indicative of a car tyre that is old. A car that is garaged will receive better car tyre life than a car that lives outside.
As is now clear, the factors affecting car tyre life – and performance – are many and varied. Mechanical sympathy and assiduous car maintenance positively affect tyre life. Conversely, it isn’t really surprising that bad habits can affect tyre life negatively.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
1. Wheel Alignment
When your car’s wheel alignment is correct, the tyres can run true on the road. This means that a balance exists between the car tyre’s drag and the amount of compliance in the car’s suspension. Incorrect alignment spells increased wear, and can affect your rear wheels as well as the front ones.
2. Speed
Continuous high-speed driving accelerates car tyre wear. If you doubt this, just take a look at Formula One – pit stops aren’t to give the driver a rest while the tyres are changed!
3. Driving Style
If you drive sympathetically, your car tyres will last longer. Drive aggressively and you’ll pay for it through having to replace your car tyres sooner. An aggressive driving style will raise car tyre flexing and running temperature, and increase tread wear.
4. Car Tyre Placement
On a rear-wheel drive car, the front tyres must cope with steering and braking while the rear tyres offer traction as well as grip. On a front-wheel-drive car, the front tyres have still more to do, consequently wearing faster.
5. Vehicle Weight
Heavier vehicles wear our car tyres faster than lighter ones. There are, of course, heavier duty car tyres to compensate for this to some extent. However, the basic principle remains.
6. Car Tyre Type
Car tyres are constructed to meet particular needs. A performance tyre will give superior grip but will wear out sooner, as it has a softer rubber compound. Conversely, a harder, long life tyre will offer a longer life, at the cost of lesser grip and increased noise. There are tyre types that offer a compromise between the various demands on car tyres.
7. Tyre Pressure
An underinflated car tyre flexes more, runs hotter and wears faster than a correctly inflated one. Underinflation also increases fuel consumption, by creating additional tyre drag. Overinflation is nearly as bad, causing strange wear patterns and reducing grip.
8. The Passage of Time
This is the one aspect affecting tyre life that can’t be avoided. Ultra violet light causes rubber to degrade, as do chemical spills on the road. The usual giveaway is the appearance of cracked sidewalls…themselves indicative of a car tyre that is old. A car that is garaged will receive better car tyre life than a car that lives outside.
As is now clear, the factors affecting car tyre life – and performance – are many and varied. Mechanical sympathy and assiduous car maintenance positively affect tyre life. Conversely, it isn’t really surprising that bad habits can affect tyre life negatively.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Changing a Car Tyre the Professional Way
Back in the mists of time, motorists used to change their own tyres – by hand. No doubt there are diehard enthusiasts who still do this but for us mere mortals, there are car tyre bays. Here’s how a car tyre is changed – by machine.
To be attended to on a tyre machine, the car wheel with the tyre to be replaced must be taken off. Enter the trolley jack and powered wheel nut wrench. Almost without exception a key or adaptor to cope with the locking wheel nut is needed now. Soon enough, the errant car tyre will be detached from the car, complete with wheel.
Now the fun begins! We’re contemplating separating a big, tough rubber ring from the big, heavy metal wheel it’s been embracing, probably for many miles. The tyre fitter can unscrew the tyre valve and let the air out, but he can’t make any impression on the car tyre/wheel combination without mechanical assistance. This is why the tyre machine has powerful, compressed air-powered jaws, better known as the bead breaker. With the deflated car tyre placed correctly, all the fitter need do is press on a pedal. The jaws seize the tyre and separate the bead from the wheel rim.
The failed car tyre now has to go up in the world. More accurately, it has to lie flat on the tyre machine, with the wheel clamped firmly in place. More compressed air is used to let the machine seize the wheel firmly. Then, the fitter will place the hooked head of the tyre machine by the car tyre’s bead. Lifting the broken bead carefully over the wheel rim with a tyre lever, the fitter will flip it over the machine’s head. Another press of a pedal releases compressed air, causing the wheel to rotate. The tyre machine’s head peels the upper bead of the car tyre up and off the wheel rim. Repeat the process for the lower bead and that’s it – the old car tyre is off.
Now for a spot of wheel preparation. The old tyre valve’s inner fitting is sawn off and the valve is drawn out. The old balance weights will be peeled off or unclipped and, in some instances, the fitter will use a hand wire brush to clean corrosion off the wheel rim. Then, after having replaced the tyre valve, the fitter will apply a special compound to the wheel rim and the new car tyre. This stuff is a lubricant that will make fitting the new tyre easier. However, where there has been an air leak between the old tyre and the wheel, the fitter will brush on a special sealant.
The tyre machine comes into play again now. Once cleaned, lubed (or sealed) and re-valved, the wheel is ready to accept the new car tyre. The machine is simply used in reverse order, the push the new tyre over the wheel rim, bead by bead. Using a compressed air line, the fitter will then inflate the new car tyre. Sometimes, the tyre/wheel will need encouragement to seal but the tyre will eventually seat itself – sometimes with a loud bang – when air pressure builds up. Throughout the car tyre-fitting process, the tyre machine has done most of the heavy work, while the tyre fitter carried out the intelligent tasks.
So, are we finished? Not quite – the wheel and car tyre combination need to be balanced. There’s another machine for this. Having placed the wheel on the tyre-balancing machine and clamped it on firmly, the fitter will close a safety guard and start the machine. The machine spins the wheel up to a given speed, which is usually about 200 revolutions per minute. Now it’s the balancing machine’s turn to be clever. Using its sensors and electronics, the machine will tell the fitter how heavy the balance weights need to be and exactly where they must go. Using the machine’s recommendations, wheel weights will be fitted and the newly balanced wheel taken up to speed again. Fine-tuning can be done but it’s rarely needed.
What used to be done manually, and could lead to sore hands and backache has been done quickly and efficiently. Should you watch from the comfort of the waiting area, you’ll know exactly what the fitter was doing at each stage of the tyre change…and why!
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
To be attended to on a tyre machine, the car wheel with the tyre to be replaced must be taken off. Enter the trolley jack and powered wheel nut wrench. Almost without exception a key or adaptor to cope with the locking wheel nut is needed now. Soon enough, the errant car tyre will be detached from the car, complete with wheel.
Now the fun begins! We’re contemplating separating a big, tough rubber ring from the big, heavy metal wheel it’s been embracing, probably for many miles. The tyre fitter can unscrew the tyre valve and let the air out, but he can’t make any impression on the car tyre/wheel combination without mechanical assistance. This is why the tyre machine has powerful, compressed air-powered jaws, better known as the bead breaker. With the deflated car tyre placed correctly, all the fitter need do is press on a pedal. The jaws seize the tyre and separate the bead from the wheel rim.
The failed car tyre now has to go up in the world. More accurately, it has to lie flat on the tyre machine, with the wheel clamped firmly in place. More compressed air is used to let the machine seize the wheel firmly. Then, the fitter will place the hooked head of the tyre machine by the car tyre’s bead. Lifting the broken bead carefully over the wheel rim with a tyre lever, the fitter will flip it over the machine’s head. Another press of a pedal releases compressed air, causing the wheel to rotate. The tyre machine’s head peels the upper bead of the car tyre up and off the wheel rim. Repeat the process for the lower bead and that’s it – the old car tyre is off.
Now for a spot of wheel preparation. The old tyre valve’s inner fitting is sawn off and the valve is drawn out. The old balance weights will be peeled off or unclipped and, in some instances, the fitter will use a hand wire brush to clean corrosion off the wheel rim. Then, after having replaced the tyre valve, the fitter will apply a special compound to the wheel rim and the new car tyre. This stuff is a lubricant that will make fitting the new tyre easier. However, where there has been an air leak between the old tyre and the wheel, the fitter will brush on a special sealant.
The tyre machine comes into play again now. Once cleaned, lubed (or sealed) and re-valved, the wheel is ready to accept the new car tyre. The machine is simply used in reverse order, the push the new tyre over the wheel rim, bead by bead. Using a compressed air line, the fitter will then inflate the new car tyre. Sometimes, the tyre/wheel will need encouragement to seal but the tyre will eventually seat itself – sometimes with a loud bang – when air pressure builds up. Throughout the car tyre-fitting process, the tyre machine has done most of the heavy work, while the tyre fitter carried out the intelligent tasks.
So, are we finished? Not quite – the wheel and car tyre combination need to be balanced. There’s another machine for this. Having placed the wheel on the tyre-balancing machine and clamped it on firmly, the fitter will close a safety guard and start the machine. The machine spins the wheel up to a given speed, which is usually about 200 revolutions per minute. Now it’s the balancing machine’s turn to be clever. Using its sensors and electronics, the machine will tell the fitter how heavy the balance weights need to be and exactly where they must go. Using the machine’s recommendations, wheel weights will be fitted and the newly balanced wheel taken up to speed again. Fine-tuning can be done but it’s rarely needed.
What used to be done manually, and could lead to sore hands and backache has been done quickly and efficiently. Should you watch from the comfort of the waiting area, you’ll know exactly what the fitter was doing at each stage of the tyre change…and why!
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Merityre News!!
Building will shortly commence at MERITYRE SPECIALISTS LTD, West Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, to extend the existing retail tyre depot. Two new bays should be operational early in the New Year, adding an extra 50% to the current space available for fitting tyres, batteries exhausts and brakes.
The existing Merityre building was constructed in 1988, as a purpose built warehouse and Head Office for Merityre, which currently has a further 21 Tyre and Exhaust Branches in the South of England. The retail fitting bays were part of the original design, but were limited in size due to Test Valley Borough Council planning restrictions at that time.
Now that Andover is seeing the expansion of its housing stock at both Augusta Park and Picket Twenty, the increase in business at Merityre has prompted this expansion, to improve customer facilities and reduce waiting times during busy periods. Merityre is open for business 7 days a week, from 8.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 5.00pm Saturdays and 9.30am – 12 noon on Sunday mornings. Local branch manager Paul Kinnaird, and his assistant Craig Denness, are looking forward to these new facilities and remain committed to providing a top class service on Tyres, Exhausts, Brakes and associated products in 2013!
The existing Merityre building was constructed in 1988, as a purpose built warehouse and Head Office for Merityre, which currently has a further 21 Tyre and Exhaust Branches in the South of England. The retail fitting bays were part of the original design, but were limited in size due to Test Valley Borough Council planning restrictions at that time.
Now that Andover is seeing the expansion of its housing stock at both Augusta Park and Picket Twenty, the increase in business at Merityre has prompted this expansion, to improve customer facilities and reduce waiting times during busy periods. Merityre is open for business 7 days a week, from 8.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 5.00pm Saturdays and 9.30am – 12 noon on Sunday mornings. Local branch manager Paul Kinnaird, and his assistant Craig Denness, are looking forward to these new facilities and remain committed to providing a top class service on Tyres, Exhausts, Brakes and associated products in 2013!
Friday, 12 October 2012
Car Tyre Care. A Significant Investment
When you drive out for the first time on a brand new set of car tyres, you’ll probably be experiencing one of two feelings. You may have a sense of pride in the knowledge that you’ve had your tyres replaced after getting the full life from the previous set. On the other hand, you may feel frustration. Why? Because you misused or neglected your old tyres, making the new set into what retailers call a ‘distress purchase’. You had to replace your car tyres early, when a little car tyre care would have put off the evil day.
It would be naïve to expect a set of car tyres to last indefinitely – they are consumables after all. However, bad driving habits, poor road conditions and mechanical faults can limit the lifespan of car tyres. Let’s look at some of the more common causes of premature tyre breakdown.
Much as your continuing health can depend on your car tyres, the health – and lifespan – of your car tyres largely depends on you. Yes, you can drive on the limit, squeaking your rubber on the Queen’s highway at every opportunity. Alternatively, you can drive more, well, let’s say soberly, and increase your car tyres’ longevity.
Though you can’t choose the road surfaces on which you drive, you can drive according to the road surface. We’re not quite at Third World status in this country but the combination of heavy traffic, severe winters and saving money on repairing the damage these do; means we encounter some bad roads. Car tyres are of necessity tough but they aren’t indestructible. When you find yourself driving on a particularly poor road surface, slow down. This gives your tyres an easier life and gives you time to steer round potholes.
There are also road ‘surfaces’ that can be detrimental to tyre life. Traffic-calming measures (some call them ‘traffic-harming measures’) such as speed bumps and speed pads can damage your car’s tyres, steering and suspension.
These devices are designed to make you slow down. The sad truth is that if they don’t do this sooner, they probably will later, to your cost. Rule one is to never straddle a speed bump. Your car tyres and suspension are not really designed to take a load that effectively pushes them outwards forcibly. Straddling speed bumps can lead to increased tyre and suspension wear, and misalignment. Instead, drive so that the wheels on one side of your car pass over the speed bump. Hint: if driving alone, let the passenger side wheels take the strain.
You can’t avoid full width speed bumps and speed pads, even for your car tyres’ sake. You could, of course, press on regardless but even big, butch 4x4s can suffer damage from excessive speed over speed bumps.
The other car tyre killer isn’t so much a road surface as a piece of street furniture. Kerbs have their rightful place in the scheme of things. Your car tyres have no right to be traversing or hitting kerbs. Yes, your car tyres have a cushioning effect, so you can lightly touch a kerb if it confirms your position during parking. However, with low-profile tyres and alloy wheels being so common, raked rims are all too evident. Look at a few parked cars and you’ll see the results of car wheel to kerb contact. Just bear this in mind: if the wheel rim is gouged, chipped or cracked, what’s going on in the tyre?
Such damage and the effect of speed bumps can put your car’s wheels out of alignment. This in turn causes the car tyres to wear unevenly, even if you don’t feel its effect at the steering wheel. Having wheel alignment checked isn’t too expensive, and is far less costly than new tyres. Have your car’s shock absorbers checked too, and remember that over- or underinflated car tyres cost, the latter in terms of fuel consumption as well as wear.
Looking after your car tyres and its suspension and steering pays dividends in terms of economy, longevity and performance. Should these not be enough of an incentive, there’s that small matter of personal safety too.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
It would be naïve to expect a set of car tyres to last indefinitely – they are consumables after all. However, bad driving habits, poor road conditions and mechanical faults can limit the lifespan of car tyres. Let’s look at some of the more common causes of premature tyre breakdown.
Much as your continuing health can depend on your car tyres, the health – and lifespan – of your car tyres largely depends on you. Yes, you can drive on the limit, squeaking your rubber on the Queen’s highway at every opportunity. Alternatively, you can drive more, well, let’s say soberly, and increase your car tyres’ longevity.
Though you can’t choose the road surfaces on which you drive, you can drive according to the road surface. We’re not quite at Third World status in this country but the combination of heavy traffic, severe winters and saving money on repairing the damage these do; means we encounter some bad roads. Car tyres are of necessity tough but they aren’t indestructible. When you find yourself driving on a particularly poor road surface, slow down. This gives your tyres an easier life and gives you time to steer round potholes.
There are also road ‘surfaces’ that can be detrimental to tyre life. Traffic-calming measures (some call them ‘traffic-harming measures’) such as speed bumps and speed pads can damage your car’s tyres, steering and suspension.
These devices are designed to make you slow down. The sad truth is that if they don’t do this sooner, they probably will later, to your cost. Rule one is to never straddle a speed bump. Your car tyres and suspension are not really designed to take a load that effectively pushes them outwards forcibly. Straddling speed bumps can lead to increased tyre and suspension wear, and misalignment. Instead, drive so that the wheels on one side of your car pass over the speed bump. Hint: if driving alone, let the passenger side wheels take the strain.
You can’t avoid full width speed bumps and speed pads, even for your car tyres’ sake. You could, of course, press on regardless but even big, butch 4x4s can suffer damage from excessive speed over speed bumps.
The other car tyre killer isn’t so much a road surface as a piece of street furniture. Kerbs have their rightful place in the scheme of things. Your car tyres have no right to be traversing or hitting kerbs. Yes, your car tyres have a cushioning effect, so you can lightly touch a kerb if it confirms your position during parking. However, with low-profile tyres and alloy wheels being so common, raked rims are all too evident. Look at a few parked cars and you’ll see the results of car wheel to kerb contact. Just bear this in mind: if the wheel rim is gouged, chipped or cracked, what’s going on in the tyre?
Such damage and the effect of speed bumps can put your car’s wheels out of alignment. This in turn causes the car tyres to wear unevenly, even if you don’t feel its effect at the steering wheel. Having wheel alignment checked isn’t too expensive, and is far less costly than new tyres. Have your car’s shock absorbers checked too, and remember that over- or underinflated car tyres cost, the latter in terms of fuel consumption as well as wear.
Looking after your car tyres and its suspension and steering pays dividends in terms of economy, longevity and performance. Should these not be enough of an incentive, there’s that small matter of personal safety too.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
The Right Stuff. Which Car Tyres Are The Ones For You?
Car tyres? Pretty much of a muchness, aren’t they? The one-word answer is ‘no’. There are many different kinds of tyre and here are six types used with road cars.
The most commonly-fitted type of car tyre is known as a standard, or all-season tyre. Such tyres are essentially a compromise. They work well enough in both wet and dry conditions, last for a fairly long time and aren’t too noisy on normal road surfaces. A jack of all trades and therefore a master of none? You may think so but in practice, standard car tyres work well for a lot of customers. There are some sub-divisions within this classification. Some car tyres are claimed to give better fuel economy, for example. These nevertheless remain under the ‘standard tyre’ banner.
So, when might you need non-standard tyres? Winter is a good example. Winter tyres come into their own when there’s snow and ice to be tackled. These car tyres have coarse tread patterns, the better to keep the treads clear of snow and ice. Less obviously, they contain rubber compounds and structures that remain flexible at lower temperatures, which enhances performance and roadholding. On the downside, they are noisy and, in normal conditions, wear out faster than standard tyres. For this reason, some people have a set of winter wheels to go with their winter tyres.
A car tyre that performs well in cold weather is totally different from a performance tyre. These, sometimes called ‘summer tyres’, are made of softer compounds, to offer superior grip. As well as having impressive marked speed ratings, such car tyres can cope with the demands of more powerful, faster cars. To do this, they trade wear rate for performance – they don’t last as long as lesser rubberware, and they abhor cold conditions.
As their name implies, run-flat tyres can be used even after suffering a puncture. Such car tyres achieve this with the imposition of a specific distance and speed up to which they can safely be used. Space-saver tyres are a cousin of run-flat tyres. The take up less space in the car but when fitted, must be used with similar restrictions on speed and distance.
What about the still less friendly conditions we might encounter? Enter the all-terrain tyre. For use on such surfaces as gravel and sand, these are particularly tough customers with very bold tread patterns. They have stiffer sidewalls, and the kind of structure that can handle potholes and debris on the road. The car tyre for all seasons? Not really. Sturdy? Yes. Long-lived? Yes? Quiet? Definitely not!
Similarly, mud tyres have an extremely large tread block pattern and are suitable for use only in muddy conditions. Car tyres of this kind are often used on those four-wheel drive vehicles that are actually taken on rough roads; this includes 4×4s that specifically go off-road regularly. The ‘Chelsea Tractor’ that does the school run doesn’t need them.
As should be obvious, the type of tyres you choose depends entirely on the use to which they will be put. Your local Merityre staff will happily give you a professional opinion on what type will be best for your needs.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
The most commonly-fitted type of car tyre is known as a standard, or all-season tyre. Such tyres are essentially a compromise. They work well enough in both wet and dry conditions, last for a fairly long time and aren’t too noisy on normal road surfaces. A jack of all trades and therefore a master of none? You may think so but in practice, standard car tyres work well for a lot of customers. There are some sub-divisions within this classification. Some car tyres are claimed to give better fuel economy, for example. These nevertheless remain under the ‘standard tyre’ banner.
So, when might you need non-standard tyres? Winter is a good example. Winter tyres come into their own when there’s snow and ice to be tackled. These car tyres have coarse tread patterns, the better to keep the treads clear of snow and ice. Less obviously, they contain rubber compounds and structures that remain flexible at lower temperatures, which enhances performance and roadholding. On the downside, they are noisy and, in normal conditions, wear out faster than standard tyres. For this reason, some people have a set of winter wheels to go with their winter tyres.
A car tyre that performs well in cold weather is totally different from a performance tyre. These, sometimes called ‘summer tyres’, are made of softer compounds, to offer superior grip. As well as having impressive marked speed ratings, such car tyres can cope with the demands of more powerful, faster cars. To do this, they trade wear rate for performance – they don’t last as long as lesser rubberware, and they abhor cold conditions.
As their name implies, run-flat tyres can be used even after suffering a puncture. Such car tyres achieve this with the imposition of a specific distance and speed up to which they can safely be used. Space-saver tyres are a cousin of run-flat tyres. The take up less space in the car but when fitted, must be used with similar restrictions on speed and distance.
What about the still less friendly conditions we might encounter? Enter the all-terrain tyre. For use on such surfaces as gravel and sand, these are particularly tough customers with very bold tread patterns. They have stiffer sidewalls, and the kind of structure that can handle potholes and debris on the road. The car tyre for all seasons? Not really. Sturdy? Yes. Long-lived? Yes? Quiet? Definitely not!
Similarly, mud tyres have an extremely large tread block pattern and are suitable for use only in muddy conditions. Car tyres of this kind are often used on those four-wheel drive vehicles that are actually taken on rough roads; this includes 4×4s that specifically go off-road regularly. The ‘Chelsea Tractor’ that does the school run doesn’t need them.
As should be obvious, the type of tyres you choose depends entirely on the use to which they will be put. Your local Merityre staff will happily give you a professional opinion on what type will be best for your needs.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Monday, 24 September 2012
Save Money on Fuel by Checking Your Tyre Pressures!
Did you know that having under-inflated tyres affects the handling and grip of your vehicle which can cause it to behave in an irregular or unpredictable way? Furthermore it means that you have a much higher chance of suffering a dangerous blowout, especially on long distance high speed journeys. The tread on your tyres will also wear unevenly if it is over or under inflated and you will need to have them replaced more often.
By keeping your tyres
at the correct pressure your running costs will be reduced as you will save
money on fuel. Under inflated tyres require more force to make them turn, and
therefore… more fuel.
So… Where do you find the correct tyre pressure for your
vehicle? Well there are a number of places to check this. Your vehicle user
manual is usually a good place to start as this should also provide information
on how much extra pressure you need if you are carrying a heavy load/trailer or
if you are going to be travelling at a high speed for a long time.
Other places it may
be are on a label on the front door posts of your car, or on the back of the
fuel cap cover. You can also check online at www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/tyre-pressure-check.
Now that you know the right pressure for your tyres you need
to check that they are correct. To do this you will need some form of tyre
pressure gauge like a foot pump or a digital pressure reader (all available at
your local car parts store). Remove the dust cover on your valve and attach the
gauge.
If your tyres are over inflated…
·
Let some air out by pressing the core of the
valve in using a match (or something similar).
·
Deflate the tyre in short bursts and check
regularly to ensure you don’t let too much out.
If your tyres are under inflated…
·
Ideally you should inflate your tyres when they
are cold as a warm tyre can increase in pressure by 2psi (pounds per square
inch).
·
Use a foot pump, plug in a 12v inflator, or use
your local fuel stations tyre pressure inflator (these should have charts with
all vehicle tyre pressures on them).
Make sure you check all of your tyres, including the spare!
Once your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, put the dust cap back on
and you should be ready to go!
At all of our Merityre branches we offer Nitrogen Inflation.
By filling your tyres with Nitrogen, they will maintain their correct pressure
for longer as Nitrogen doesn’t leak through the tyre’s structure. Normal compressed
air consists of mostly oxygen and water vapour, both of which permeate through
the tyre casing. By filling your tyres with Nitrogen you will get:
·
Better road holding
·
Longer tread life – up to 25% increase
·
Reduced fuel consumption – Up to 5% reduction
·
No corrosion to the inside of the wheel.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Checking your tyres… what.. why.. when.. and how…??
WHAT…
So.. How many of you actually know what you’re looking for when you check your tyres? I’ll be the first to admit that before I started working at Merityre I had no idea that the tread on your tyre could wear unevenly, or that you could actually repair a puncture rather than having to buy a brand new tyre. Well in this entry I will try to explain exactly what to look for when you check your tyres.
WHY…
It should go without saying that your tyres are a fundamental part of your vehicle as they are the only parts which have contact with the road (hopefully)!! It is therefore incredibly important that your tyres are in a safe and working condition when driving yourself/friends/family or anyone else around. You never know how many times your tyres may have saved you and your vehicle from serious accidents or damage already.
Did you know that WORN TYRES:
· Are unsafe
· Do not give you the adhesion to stay safe on the road
· Can be illegal… Penalty points here we come
· Can burst, leading to serious accidents
· Increase fuel consumption!
· Pick up foreign objects more easily which can lead to punctures
· Can lead to other more serious problems with your car
· Can increase the possibility of prosecution after an accident and increase insurance premiums.
· Will give you an uncomfortable ride
WHEN…
So firstly, when should you check your tyres? Well there isn’t really a set amount of time between when you should do checks, but we would recommend every week, and before undertaking any long journeys. This means that if you do have any problems, you will spot them quickly and hopefully avoid driving around on potentially dangerous tyres.
HOW…
The first step is to turn on your engine (with the handbrake on and out of gear), and turn the steering wheel so it locks on one side, then turn the engine off again (this will depend if your vehicle has power steering). This allows you to see the full breadth of the tread on your front tyres which is important as it allows you to notice if there is any uneven wear across the tyre.
(Many modern vehicle tyres are very wide and the innermost edge of these can wear right down while the outside edge can appear faultless. This can also occur on tyres if the steering and suspension alignment is out on the vehicle. It is very important to check the full width of the tread!)
LOOK FOR…
· Now you check your tread depth. The easiest way to do this is using a tread depth gauge, but if you don’t have one of these you can use the tread wear indicators which are located within the grooves of the treaded part of the tyre. These are small raised blocks about 10mm in length and 2mm in height which are situated all around the tyre (so you should be able to find them). The legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm and the indicators are raised to 1.6mm to 2mm. Therefore if any part of the tread area is running flush with the indicators, your tyre has worn to its lowest level and needs replacing.
· You need to make sure that you check as much of the circumference of the tyre as possible as sometimes one section of the tread will be fine, and another section will be worn. This may mean that the tyre is distorted. You need to check for any material degradation in the tyre, for example cracking and perishing. At the same time look for any deep or long cuts and any foreign objects. Your car drives over lots of different surfaces so you may see bits of stones here and there, but any object which does not come out easily may have penetrated the tyre and be causing pressure loss (puncture).
· Now have a look at the side walls of the tyres. The side walls are prone to damage from impacts, chafing against curbs, under inflation and tearing. You will be looking for cuts, abrasions or missing rubber. When a tyre has a puncture or has been run under inflated for a while it can cause pinching between the wheel and the road surface (run flat damage). This can be seen as an abrasion mark running the entire circumference and worn letters and numbers on the side walls. When this occurs your tyre will need replacing.
· Bulges can be detected by running the flat of your hand over the entire surface of your sidewall. A bulge represents serious damage to the structural integrity of the tyre.
· In the outer rim of the wheel you will find the valve. Check this carefully for any deterioration of the material. Ensure caps are fitted. By moving the valve stem from side to side, look for cracking of the rubber around the base.
Repeat all of these processes for each tyre and don’t forget the spare!
So, for a quick recap:
Your tyres need attention if they have:
· Low tread depth
· Deterioration of the rubber (cracking or perishing)
· Uneven tread wear (distortion of tyre)
· Deep cuts or sections of tread missing
· Embedded foreign objects
· Side wall damage and bulges
· Damaged or worn valves
So.. Now you know why it is so important to check your tyres, and not just the tread depth, but the whole tyre. If you find this all a bit too much, then just bring your car to your local Merityre Branch www.merityre.co.uk/find_a_centre.htm and we’ll do it for you absolutely free. We will also give you advice on when you may need new tyres and give you a Merityre Tyre Check Report on their condition. You can also have a FREE Wheel Alignment check which will show up any problems and help to prevent your tyres from wearing unevenly.
For information about our Club Card Plus, go to our website at www.merityre.co.uk or ask at your local branch.
The next entry will explain how to check tyre pressures.
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Monday, 23 April 2012
Extreme Tyres. Car Tyres And More, Small And Large
Sometimes, size is all that matters. It's important when choosing car tyres to select ones that are the right size. However, if you think the 205/45 x 17 tyres on your Mini Cooper S are rather special, stand by to be amazed, and not a little outclassed.
In this instance, 205 millimetres equates to 8.07 inches. These car tyres may look wide on a Cooper S but in reality, they aren't much to write home about. The world's widest car tyre, on the other hand, is worth describing in a letter. The Pirelli P Zero Nero 405/25 ZR 24 is an asymmetric car tyre aimed at 'tuners and the most demanding sports performance drivers'. With a 25% aspect ratio, as the numbers say, this car tyre is bound to look wide. With a width of nearly sixteen inches, it is wide – extremely wide. In fact, the widest car tyre on Pirelli's website is a mere 315 section item, which equates to a comparatively paltry 12.4 inches. That said, the web reports a Chevrolet Corvette special sitting on 405-section tyres, on 24 x 15-inch wheels…and there are pictures to prove it.
To go still bigger as regards tyres, we must move out of the realm of car tyres. Bridgestone used to hold the record for making the world's largest production tyre, with its 59/80R63 V-Steel E-Lug S tyre. Fitted to earthmovers such as the Caterpillar 797B and 797F, these tyres stand 4.02 metres high – that's a little under thirteen and a quarter feet. Each earthmover wears six of these tyres.
Feeling your car tyres are a little underwhelming sizewise? There's more to come. The 63-inch OTR (Off-The-Road) tyres made by Titan are nearly fourteen feet tall and weigh a staggering 12,500 pounds apiece. Each tyre has a nominal load rating of a whopping 101 tonnes. Just don't expect your trusty tyre fitter to stock these 57.9 inch-wide Titan 59/80R63 tyres. Their size and their 5.66 tonne weight means the tyre racks probably won't cope.
Now that you're feeling distinctly ill-equipped with your pathetic little car tyres, the balance can be redressed with the aid of the 'Wind-Up'. This, the world's smallest road legal car, was built by British inventor Perry Watkins. Being a tiny car, the Wind-Up has tiny car tyres, which we'll come to in a moment.
Let's first see the vital statistics that demand such tiny car tyres. The Wind-Up is 41 inches tall, 51 inches long and 26 inches wide. Its Shanghai Shenke quad bike chassis is powered by a 150cc engine with continuously variable transmission. This gives the Wind-Up a top speed of 40mph, and a frugal thirst – it takes 70 miles to sip a gallon of fuel.
The Wind-Up's tyres come from small motorbikes. At the rear, it wears the wheels and tyres from a Honda Monkey Bike, the tyres being dinky 3.5 x 8-inch items. At the front, the Wind-Up rides on tyres from a 1939 Brockhouse Corgi paratrooper’s mini motorcycle, also 8-inch items.
Should you encounter a set of the miniscule car tyres that support the Wind-Up, there may be something more than a little familiar about the vehicle. Its 31.4 cubic foot body was sourced from a coin-operated ride favoured by little kids. Yes, Postman Pat's van got a new lease of life, courtesy of Perry Watkins.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
In this instance, 205 millimetres equates to 8.07 inches. These car tyres may look wide on a Cooper S but in reality, they aren't much to write home about. The world's widest car tyre, on the other hand, is worth describing in a letter. The Pirelli P Zero Nero 405/25 ZR 24 is an asymmetric car tyre aimed at 'tuners and the most demanding sports performance drivers'. With a 25% aspect ratio, as the numbers say, this car tyre is bound to look wide. With a width of nearly sixteen inches, it is wide – extremely wide. In fact, the widest car tyre on Pirelli's website is a mere 315 section item, which equates to a comparatively paltry 12.4 inches. That said, the web reports a Chevrolet Corvette special sitting on 405-section tyres, on 24 x 15-inch wheels…and there are pictures to prove it.
To go still bigger as regards tyres, we must move out of the realm of car tyres. Bridgestone used to hold the record for making the world's largest production tyre, with its 59/80R63 V-Steel E-Lug S tyre. Fitted to earthmovers such as the Caterpillar 797B and 797F, these tyres stand 4.02 metres high – that's a little under thirteen and a quarter feet. Each earthmover wears six of these tyres.
Feeling your car tyres are a little underwhelming sizewise? There's more to come. The 63-inch OTR (Off-The-Road) tyres made by Titan are nearly fourteen feet tall and weigh a staggering 12,500 pounds apiece. Each tyre has a nominal load rating of a whopping 101 tonnes. Just don't expect your trusty tyre fitter to stock these 57.9 inch-wide Titan 59/80R63 tyres. Their size and their 5.66 tonne weight means the tyre racks probably won't cope.
Now that you're feeling distinctly ill-equipped with your pathetic little car tyres, the balance can be redressed with the aid of the 'Wind-Up'. This, the world's smallest road legal car, was built by British inventor Perry Watkins. Being a tiny car, the Wind-Up has tiny car tyres, which we'll come to in a moment.
Let's first see the vital statistics that demand such tiny car tyres. The Wind-Up is 41 inches tall, 51 inches long and 26 inches wide. Its Shanghai Shenke quad bike chassis is powered by a 150cc engine with continuously variable transmission. This gives the Wind-Up a top speed of 40mph, and a frugal thirst – it takes 70 miles to sip a gallon of fuel.
The Wind-Up's tyres come from small motorbikes. At the rear, it wears the wheels and tyres from a Honda Monkey Bike, the tyres being dinky 3.5 x 8-inch items. At the front, the Wind-Up rides on tyres from a 1939 Brockhouse Corgi paratrooper’s mini motorcycle, also 8-inch items.
Should you encounter a set of the miniscule car tyres that support the Wind-Up, there may be something more than a little familiar about the vehicle. Its 31.4 cubic foot body was sourced from a coin-operated ride favoured by little kids. Yes, Postman Pat's van got a new lease of life, courtesy of Perry Watkins.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
The Point Of No Return. Why Car Tyres Fail
Car tyres can fail for a variety of reasons. Some are more common than others but all are avoidable with a little foresight. So, let's look at some problems that can cause tyre failure, and learn how to avoid them.
Underinflation
Running your car tyres at too low a pressure has an immediate penalty. Underinflated tyres have higher rolling resistance than tyres running at the correct pressure. This means you waste fuel on pushing the tyres along the road. A less immediate but more punishing penalty comes from the same lack of pounds per square inch of air pressure inside the car tyre. Put simply, underinflated tyres can overheat. If the tyres overheat enough, it's bye-bye tread or tyre carcass – i.e. it's blowout time.
Inflating your car tyres correctly, to the pressure the car and/or tyre manufacturer recommends, is simple enough, and far less costly than new tyres or a spectacular blowout.
Overinflation
Given the above, it may seem logical to run your car tyres at a pressure higher than the one recommended. Wrong! Tyres running at too high a pressure lose compliance. Meaning? They can't cope well with road irregularities and will be more easily damaged. Such damage can occur deep within the tyre carcass and lead to a dramatic high-speed failure. Once again, the solution is to keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
Excessive Speed
If you've saved a few pounds by buying car tyres that are under specified for your car's capabilities, there's no profit in preening yourself about it. Car tyres have a speed rating, denoted by a letter on the sidewall, for a reason. More highly-rated tyres have superior internal structures and can lose heat more efficiently than lesser items.
While your insurance company will take a very dim view of your running on inappropriate tyres, worse things can happen. Under specified tyres can fail, especially in hot conditions.
A good tyre bay will advise you on which speed rating is right for your car. Take the advice: always buy the right tyres.
Overloading
Car tyres carry a load rating as well as a speed rating and this too is with good reason. While overloading may not often affect passenger cars (except perhaps those used for towing), bigger vehicles can be seen wearing underrated tyres. This goes for 4x4s as well as pick up trucks and small to medium-sized vans.
Once again, a tyre bay is the source of knowledge – if in doubt, have your current tyres checked.
Road Hazards
Which road hazards? Good question, given the road offers plenty of hazards. Those particularly affecting car tyre integrity are pot holes, debris and kerbs. Hit any of these with any severity and you may damage a wheel, as well as a tyre. However, impact damage, even at parking speeds, can wreak unseen havoc within a car tyre.
When checking your car tyre pressures, look out for cuts, lumps and bulges – all can be harbingers of structural disaster in a tyre.
Excessive Wear
In these financially demanding times, it's understandable for drivers to try wringing the maximum life out of their car tyres. That said, taking a car tyre down to, or even past, the tread wear indicators moulded into its treads is false economy, not to mention dangerous.
This is another thing to check when you get down and personal with your car tyres. Remember that well worn tyres can lack structural strength as well as grip.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Underinflation
Running your car tyres at too low a pressure has an immediate penalty. Underinflated tyres have higher rolling resistance than tyres running at the correct pressure. This means you waste fuel on pushing the tyres along the road. A less immediate but more punishing penalty comes from the same lack of pounds per square inch of air pressure inside the car tyre. Put simply, underinflated tyres can overheat. If the tyres overheat enough, it's bye-bye tread or tyre carcass – i.e. it's blowout time.
Inflating your car tyres correctly, to the pressure the car and/or tyre manufacturer recommends, is simple enough, and far less costly than new tyres or a spectacular blowout.
Overinflation
Given the above, it may seem logical to run your car tyres at a pressure higher than the one recommended. Wrong! Tyres running at too high a pressure lose compliance. Meaning? They can't cope well with road irregularities and will be more easily damaged. Such damage can occur deep within the tyre carcass and lead to a dramatic high-speed failure. Once again, the solution is to keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
Excessive Speed
If you've saved a few pounds by buying car tyres that are under specified for your car's capabilities, there's no profit in preening yourself about it. Car tyres have a speed rating, denoted by a letter on the sidewall, for a reason. More highly-rated tyres have superior internal structures and can lose heat more efficiently than lesser items.
While your insurance company will take a very dim view of your running on inappropriate tyres, worse things can happen. Under specified tyres can fail, especially in hot conditions.
A good tyre bay will advise you on which speed rating is right for your car. Take the advice: always buy the right tyres.
Overloading
Car tyres carry a load rating as well as a speed rating and this too is with good reason. While overloading may not often affect passenger cars (except perhaps those used for towing), bigger vehicles can be seen wearing underrated tyres. This goes for 4x4s as well as pick up trucks and small to medium-sized vans.
Once again, a tyre bay is the source of knowledge – if in doubt, have your current tyres checked.
Road Hazards
Which road hazards? Good question, given the road offers plenty of hazards. Those particularly affecting car tyre integrity are pot holes, debris and kerbs. Hit any of these with any severity and you may damage a wheel, as well as a tyre. However, impact damage, even at parking speeds, can wreak unseen havoc within a car tyre.
When checking your car tyre pressures, look out for cuts, lumps and bulges – all can be harbingers of structural disaster in a tyre.
Excessive Wear
In these financially demanding times, it's understandable for drivers to try wringing the maximum life out of their car tyres. That said, taking a car tyre down to, or even past, the tread wear indicators moulded into its treads is false economy, not to mention dangerous.
This is another thing to check when you get down and personal with your car tyres. Remember that well worn tyres can lack structural strength as well as grip.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Flat Lines. How To Change a Car Tyre Safely
A car tyre must be inflated to work properly. Should you suffer a puncture, you can change the wheel concerned. Here's how to do so in safety…
When
When to change a wheel becomes pretty obvious. A heavy pulling at the steering wheel and/or squirmy handling with assorted noises is usually sufficient to let you know a car tyre has deflated.
Where
Where to undertake a tyre change may seem obvious but this isn't necessarily so. The first and most important rule is to never, ever try to change a car tyre by a busy carriageway, be it a on a motorway hard shoulder or at the side of an A-road. Why? Quite simply, it is hugely unsafe.
So, what if you're caught out, on a busy road? Sometimes, it's possible to coax your car to a quieter location. Bear in mind that you'll need to find a level, firm surface to work on. If the car tyre has deflated fully, just pull up and call out the cavalry. The breakdown service will do the rest, after your mobile phone, or a roadside phone, has done its lifesaving bit.
How to prepare
A spot of preparation makes changing a flat car tyre much easier. Pull up in your chosen spot, apply the car's handbrake, put the car into gear (or 'park'), switch on the hazard lights and set up the car's warning triangle. This should be placed 45 metres (147 feet) behind the car.
The next stage in dealing with a flat car tyre is to have any passengers leave the car and stand well away from it, and from passing traffic. Then, it's time to extract the spare wheel, jack and tools – your car's handbook will tell you where they are to be found.
Jacking the Car
This step in the proceedings involves safety procedures, to which you must pay attention. First, you have to chock the wheel diagonally opposite to the one with the flat car tyre. No chock to hand? Then find a stone, brick or any other piece of debris that'll do the job.
Time for your car to go up in the world. There'll be a specific place under which the car jack must be placed. Once again, the handbook will tell you where this is. Do not improvise; only the proper jacking point will do. With the jack placed correctly, wind it up until it's bearing enough of the car's weight to not move.
Loosening the wheel nuts or bolts holding the wheel with the flat tyre comes next. These are always undone anticlockwise, with the wheelbrace that is in the toolkit. You may have to undo a locking wheel nut too – there's a key device for that.
Now, wheel fastenings can be very tight. Use the wheel brace so you'll be applying downward pressure (far less injurious if the tool slips). Loosen the fastenings first; the wheel can't turn because it's still on the ground.
Now, you can jack the car up. Do this steadily, until there is daylight between the flat car tyre and the roadside surface.
Changing the Wheel
Unscrew the fastenings completely one by one, removing the uppermost one last. You may need to 'persuade' the offending wheel to come off but be careful – over enthusiasm could cause the car to fall. For this reason, never let any part of you go between the car and the ground.
A car tyre and wheel combination can be heavy. Make sure that when lifting one, you’re on a firm footing with a straight back. Fit the spare wheel, securing it with the topmost fastening. Then, refit the remaining fastenings, tightening them only enough to seat the wheel firmly on the hub. Lower the car until the tyre is on the ground, and tighten the fastenings in a diagonal pattern. Now, you can stow the deflated wheel and tyre, put your tools away and continue your journey.
Finished?
Not quite, there are a couple of post-wheel change necessities. You need to get to a tyre bay, to have the wheel tightened to a specific torque – a repair on the flat car tyre is often possible. If you need to continue on the spare, you have to be sure that the car tyre on the spare wheel you've used is at the correct pressure. Finally, if the spare tyre is a space saver, there'll be limitations concerning speed and distance. The car handbook will show you what applies.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
When
When to change a wheel becomes pretty obvious. A heavy pulling at the steering wheel and/or squirmy handling with assorted noises is usually sufficient to let you know a car tyre has deflated.
Where
Where to undertake a tyre change may seem obvious but this isn't necessarily so. The first and most important rule is to never, ever try to change a car tyre by a busy carriageway, be it a on a motorway hard shoulder or at the side of an A-road. Why? Quite simply, it is hugely unsafe.
So, what if you're caught out, on a busy road? Sometimes, it's possible to coax your car to a quieter location. Bear in mind that you'll need to find a level, firm surface to work on. If the car tyre has deflated fully, just pull up and call out the cavalry. The breakdown service will do the rest, after your mobile phone, or a roadside phone, has done its lifesaving bit.
How to prepare
A spot of preparation makes changing a flat car tyre much easier. Pull up in your chosen spot, apply the car's handbrake, put the car into gear (or 'park'), switch on the hazard lights and set up the car's warning triangle. This should be placed 45 metres (147 feet) behind the car.
The next stage in dealing with a flat car tyre is to have any passengers leave the car and stand well away from it, and from passing traffic. Then, it's time to extract the spare wheel, jack and tools – your car's handbook will tell you where they are to be found.
Jacking the Car
This step in the proceedings involves safety procedures, to which you must pay attention. First, you have to chock the wheel diagonally opposite to the one with the flat car tyre. No chock to hand? Then find a stone, brick or any other piece of debris that'll do the job.
Time for your car to go up in the world. There'll be a specific place under which the car jack must be placed. Once again, the handbook will tell you where this is. Do not improvise; only the proper jacking point will do. With the jack placed correctly, wind it up until it's bearing enough of the car's weight to not move.
Loosening the wheel nuts or bolts holding the wheel with the flat tyre comes next. These are always undone anticlockwise, with the wheelbrace that is in the toolkit. You may have to undo a locking wheel nut too – there's a key device for that.
Now, wheel fastenings can be very tight. Use the wheel brace so you'll be applying downward pressure (far less injurious if the tool slips). Loosen the fastenings first; the wheel can't turn because it's still on the ground.
Now, you can jack the car up. Do this steadily, until there is daylight between the flat car tyre and the roadside surface.
Changing the Wheel
Unscrew the fastenings completely one by one, removing the uppermost one last. You may need to 'persuade' the offending wheel to come off but be careful – over enthusiasm could cause the car to fall. For this reason, never let any part of you go between the car and the ground.
A car tyre and wheel combination can be heavy. Make sure that when lifting one, you’re on a firm footing with a straight back. Fit the spare wheel, securing it with the topmost fastening. Then, refit the remaining fastenings, tightening them only enough to seat the wheel firmly on the hub. Lower the car until the tyre is on the ground, and tighten the fastenings in a diagonal pattern. Now, you can stow the deflated wheel and tyre, put your tools away and continue your journey.
Finished?
Not quite, there are a couple of post-wheel change necessities. You need to get to a tyre bay, to have the wheel tightened to a specific torque – a repair on the flat car tyre is often possible. If you need to continue on the spare, you have to be sure that the car tyre on the spare wheel you've used is at the correct pressure. Finally, if the spare tyre is a space saver, there'll be limitations concerning speed and distance. The car handbook will show you what applies.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Under Control. How Computers Help Car Tyres
'If in doubt, blame the computer' is an office standby. When it comes to car tyres, there are plenty of instances when it would be appropriate to say, 'Thank the computer'. Several computer-controlled systems optimize car tyre performance these days. Let's pick our way through the acronyms and look at some such systems.
ABS a.k.a. the Anti-Lock Braking System has its roots in aircraft technology. Gabriel Voisin, a French aeronautical and automotive engineer came up with it as far back as 1929. Forty-two years later, 'Sure Brake' appeared on the 1971 Chrysler Imperial. It's now hard to find a single car tyre whose stopping power isn't maximised by ABS. Here's how it works.
Enter the ECU, or Electronic Control Unit, which is what is in charge of ABS. Imagine a car tyre is rotating more slowly than its fellows. A wheel speed sensor detects this, and tells the ECU. The ECU, in turn, opens a hydraulic valve to divert brake fluid pressure away from the locking wheel, until the tyre in question speeds up again. The system can do this at up to 20 times per second. The result? On a wheel that isn't quite locking, the car tyre is gripping at maximum efficiency. A locked wheel offers virtually no grip, while a wheel nearly at locking point can still offer steering and braking force.
EBD (or EBFD) is a refinement of ABS. This acronym stands for Electronic Brake Force Distribution. On the old, 'classic' Mini, for example, there used to be a mechanical inertia valve, which would reduce braking force to stop the rear tyres locking under heavy braking. EBD does the same thing, far faster, far more accurately and in relation to each car tyre simultaneously.
Strange as it may sound, ABS can help a car tyre achieve maximum traction under acceleration. TCS – the Traction Control System – uses the ABS's wheel speed sensors to detect if a car tyre on a driven wheel is spinning (i.e. not gripping). The TCS applies braking force to the spinning wheel for a few milliseconds. In more sophisticated TCS systems, the throttle can be cut briefly, preventing wheel spin.
Speaking of sophisticated systems, we can now look at ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This again is ABS-related. In ESC (or DSC – Dynamic Stability Control), two further sensors play a role. One detects the angle of the steering wheel, while its gyroscopic stablemate checks this angle against the car's direction of travel. Should the figures not add up, the system applies braking force to individual wheels. Once again, each car tyre is maintained at its optimum level of efficiency in any given circumstance, by the application of very short pulses of braking pressure, and/or throttle input, as appropriate.
Here's where further refinement steps in, and where we become awash with acronyms. It's probably best to think of the refinements under the ACC (Adaptive Chassis Control) banner. Often using a button, with markings such as 'Comfort', 'Sport' and even 'Race', a car driver can dial in all manner of changes to how his car responds. While the stiffness of physical springs can't be changed electronically, the firmness of the suspension can, by the actuation of electronic tweaks to suspension damper rates. While the car tyres don't change, that which controls them can. It's possible for driving force to be distributed according to car tyre grip across an axle and, in some cases, between the front and rear wheels.
The bottom line about these immensely clever, capable systems is that they use car tyre grip as a benchmark. When the car tyres are offering optimum grip, tyre performance – and therefore the performance of the car – is necessarily optimized.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
ABS a.k.a. the Anti-Lock Braking System has its roots in aircraft technology. Gabriel Voisin, a French aeronautical and automotive engineer came up with it as far back as 1929. Forty-two years later, 'Sure Brake' appeared on the 1971 Chrysler Imperial. It's now hard to find a single car tyre whose stopping power isn't maximised by ABS. Here's how it works.
Enter the ECU, or Electronic Control Unit, which is what is in charge of ABS. Imagine a car tyre is rotating more slowly than its fellows. A wheel speed sensor detects this, and tells the ECU. The ECU, in turn, opens a hydraulic valve to divert brake fluid pressure away from the locking wheel, until the tyre in question speeds up again. The system can do this at up to 20 times per second. The result? On a wheel that isn't quite locking, the car tyre is gripping at maximum efficiency. A locked wheel offers virtually no grip, while a wheel nearly at locking point can still offer steering and braking force.
EBD (or EBFD) is a refinement of ABS. This acronym stands for Electronic Brake Force Distribution. On the old, 'classic' Mini, for example, there used to be a mechanical inertia valve, which would reduce braking force to stop the rear tyres locking under heavy braking. EBD does the same thing, far faster, far more accurately and in relation to each car tyre simultaneously.
Strange as it may sound, ABS can help a car tyre achieve maximum traction under acceleration. TCS – the Traction Control System – uses the ABS's wheel speed sensors to detect if a car tyre on a driven wheel is spinning (i.e. not gripping). The TCS applies braking force to the spinning wheel for a few milliseconds. In more sophisticated TCS systems, the throttle can be cut briefly, preventing wheel spin.
Speaking of sophisticated systems, we can now look at ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This again is ABS-related. In ESC (or DSC – Dynamic Stability Control), two further sensors play a role. One detects the angle of the steering wheel, while its gyroscopic stablemate checks this angle against the car's direction of travel. Should the figures not add up, the system applies braking force to individual wheels. Once again, each car tyre is maintained at its optimum level of efficiency in any given circumstance, by the application of very short pulses of braking pressure, and/or throttle input, as appropriate.
Here's where further refinement steps in, and where we become awash with acronyms. It's probably best to think of the refinements under the ACC (Adaptive Chassis Control) banner. Often using a button, with markings such as 'Comfort', 'Sport' and even 'Race', a car driver can dial in all manner of changes to how his car responds. While the stiffness of physical springs can't be changed electronically, the firmness of the suspension can, by the actuation of electronic tweaks to suspension damper rates. While the car tyres don't change, that which controls them can. It's possible for driving force to be distributed according to car tyre grip across an axle and, in some cases, between the front and rear wheels.
The bottom line about these immensely clever, capable systems is that they use car tyre grip as a benchmark. When the car tyres are offering optimum grip, tyre performance – and therefore the performance of the car – is necessarily optimized.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Tell Tale Tyres. What Wear Patterns Mean
Car tyre forensics seems like an odd concept. However, in many instances, a 'dead' tyre can give you as much information as a corpse in the hands of a police pathologist. Information? Yes, tell-tale signs that can tell you what caused the tyre's untimely demise. Such information is useful because in indicating possible faults, it can tell you what might require fixing to give your replacement car tyres or tyre the maximum possible life.
Let's start with the basics. The type of tyre wear pattern that's to be expected is straightforward, and is characterised by the tread's having been worn away to the extent that the tyres’ tread wear indicators are at or near level with the surface of the tread. So, the tyre has nearly finished its useful service life. Is this the end of the story? Not necessarily. The suspension geometry on some cars can mean that the tyres' treads don't necessarily wear completely evenly.
Other car tyre tread wear patterns tell a different tale. What must be borne in mind is that they don't necessarily tell it quickly – some wear conditions take a while to show that something is awry. For example, what does feathering on both outer edges of the tyre tread suggest? This pattern is the most likely indicator that the tyre has been consistently run at too low a pressure. Conversely, a strip worn around the centre of the tread indicates a tyre having been run at too high a pressure.
What about feathering on one edge of the car tyre tread? Should such wear be on the outer edge of the tyre, it suggests that the car's steering is misaligned, having too much toe-in. Similarly, feathering on the tread's inner edge indicates that there is too much toe-out. This kind of wear usually appears on both front tyres, as the steering will generally attempt to run straight and true. The fact that the steering tries to compensate for misalignment by effectively evening out the wear on each side of the car is no compensation in itself. However, it does advise you to have the wheel alignment checked before your new tyres suffer.
It's worth noting that feathering on one side of a car tyre tread occurring only on one side of the car indicates something other than misaligned wheels. In this instance, one-sided feathering is more suggestive of wear in the car's suspension joints, its springs and/or its wheel bearings. This pattern can also occur when the wheel's camber, its position in relation to the vertical plane, is incorrect. Camber change of this kind can be caused by wear in the aforementioned areas; damage to the suspension can cause the same problem.
'Cupping' is also a phenomenon that can show you something is amiss on your car. A tread with cupping (also called 'dipping' or 'scalloping') has patches of wear across its tread's surface. This can look almost like the tread surface has softened in places, or has been scooped away. Cupping indicates one of two problems or a combination of them. Wheels significantly out of balance can suffer cupping, as can car tyres under the control of worn shock absorbers. Cupping can affect rear tyres but it's more commonly seen on a car's front tyres.
As you can see, car tyre tread wear can be the result of maladjustment but wear and damage can give similar results. In the interests of your wallet, if not your life, pay attention to what your car tyres are telling you.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Let's start with the basics. The type of tyre wear pattern that's to be expected is straightforward, and is characterised by the tread's having been worn away to the extent that the tyres’ tread wear indicators are at or near level with the surface of the tread. So, the tyre has nearly finished its useful service life. Is this the end of the story? Not necessarily. The suspension geometry on some cars can mean that the tyres' treads don't necessarily wear completely evenly.
Other car tyre tread wear patterns tell a different tale. What must be borne in mind is that they don't necessarily tell it quickly – some wear conditions take a while to show that something is awry. For example, what does feathering on both outer edges of the tyre tread suggest? This pattern is the most likely indicator that the tyre has been consistently run at too low a pressure. Conversely, a strip worn around the centre of the tread indicates a tyre having been run at too high a pressure.
What about feathering on one edge of the car tyre tread? Should such wear be on the outer edge of the tyre, it suggests that the car's steering is misaligned, having too much toe-in. Similarly, feathering on the tread's inner edge indicates that there is too much toe-out. This kind of wear usually appears on both front tyres, as the steering will generally attempt to run straight and true. The fact that the steering tries to compensate for misalignment by effectively evening out the wear on each side of the car is no compensation in itself. However, it does advise you to have the wheel alignment checked before your new tyres suffer.
It's worth noting that feathering on one side of a car tyre tread occurring only on one side of the car indicates something other than misaligned wheels. In this instance, one-sided feathering is more suggestive of wear in the car's suspension joints, its springs and/or its wheel bearings. This pattern can also occur when the wheel's camber, its position in relation to the vertical plane, is incorrect. Camber change of this kind can be caused by wear in the aforementioned areas; damage to the suspension can cause the same problem.
'Cupping' is also a phenomenon that can show you something is amiss on your car. A tread with cupping (also called 'dipping' or 'scalloping') has patches of wear across its tread's surface. This can look almost like the tread surface has softened in places, or has been scooped away. Cupping indicates one of two problems or a combination of them. Wheels significantly out of balance can suffer cupping, as can car tyres under the control of worn shock absorbers. Cupping can affect rear tyres but it's more commonly seen on a car's front tyres.
As you can see, car tyre tread wear can be the result of maladjustment but wear and damage can give similar results. In the interests of your wallet, if not your life, pay attention to what your car tyres are telling you.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Top Ten Car Tyre Tips
Car tyres don't generally ask too much of you. However, neglecting them can prove expensive and, in some circumstances, dangerous. These ten tips will enhance car tyre life, reduce your spending and perhaps save your life.
1. The wrong car tyre pressure is costly. Running on overinflated tyres accelerates wear and reduces both grip and ride comfort. Underinflated tyres also wear more quickly, and can worsen fuel economy by as much as ten percent. Check your tyre pressures regularly.
2. Cuts in car tyres are obvious. Lumps or bulges may be less so but they tend to indicate damage inside the car tyre's carcass. Check for any such damage while correcting tyre pressures. If in any doubt, avoid the risk of a blowout by having a tyre specialist examine the damage.
3. A spare wheel with a flat tyre is worse than useless. Check the spare tyre pressure regularly, unless you have run flat tyres or an onboard tyre pump and repair kit. Remember that space saver spare tyres generally have speed and distance restrictions.
4. If, at car tyre checking time, you find a stone embedded in a tyre tread, you can lever it out before it causes damage. However, if you find a nail in a tyre, leave it alone. The nail will be temporarily keeping the air in – have a tyre specialist take a look. He may be able to repair the tyre.
5. While using the tyre inflator at a garage, or a tyre pump at home, look after the tyre valve dust caps. They keep dirt and grit away from the delicate valves, and are a line of defence against tyre pressure loss. Always put them back carefully.
6. Potholes can damage more than your car tyres. Hit a large one hard enough and you could be facing a bill for the repair or replacement of one or more wheels. Should you be unlucky enough to encounter a big pothole and suspect damage has occurred, stop and examine the affected wheel(s) and tyre(s).
7. Never straddle a speed bump. Instead, let the wheels on one side of your car pass over the bump. This will prevent damage to your car's tyres, steering and suspension. When negotiating speed bumps and road-width speed pads, slow down or face the cost of repairs.
8. When you're manoeuvering, curb your enthusiasm so you don't kerb your car tyres. Kerb impacts can wreck not only tyres, they can scratch, chip and even dent your car's wheels. Steering misalignment can also result from kerbing.
9. Keep your car in a garage, if you can. Car tyres suffer from prolonged exposure to ultra violet light. This leads to cracking and crazing of the car tyre sidewalls' structure.
10. When the time to buy replacement tyres rolls around, think about replacing all four. Should this be too costly, always have new tyres fitted in pairs. It's accepted that the new tyres should be fitted to the rear wheels.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
1. The wrong car tyre pressure is costly. Running on overinflated tyres accelerates wear and reduces both grip and ride comfort. Underinflated tyres also wear more quickly, and can worsen fuel economy by as much as ten percent. Check your tyre pressures regularly.
2. Cuts in car tyres are obvious. Lumps or bulges may be less so but they tend to indicate damage inside the car tyre's carcass. Check for any such damage while correcting tyre pressures. If in any doubt, avoid the risk of a blowout by having a tyre specialist examine the damage.
3. A spare wheel with a flat tyre is worse than useless. Check the spare tyre pressure regularly, unless you have run flat tyres or an onboard tyre pump and repair kit. Remember that space saver spare tyres generally have speed and distance restrictions.
4. If, at car tyre checking time, you find a stone embedded in a tyre tread, you can lever it out before it causes damage. However, if you find a nail in a tyre, leave it alone. The nail will be temporarily keeping the air in – have a tyre specialist take a look. He may be able to repair the tyre.
5. While using the tyre inflator at a garage, or a tyre pump at home, look after the tyre valve dust caps. They keep dirt and grit away from the delicate valves, and are a line of defence against tyre pressure loss. Always put them back carefully.
6. Potholes can damage more than your car tyres. Hit a large one hard enough and you could be facing a bill for the repair or replacement of one or more wheels. Should you be unlucky enough to encounter a big pothole and suspect damage has occurred, stop and examine the affected wheel(s) and tyre(s).
7. Never straddle a speed bump. Instead, let the wheels on one side of your car pass over the bump. This will prevent damage to your car's tyres, steering and suspension. When negotiating speed bumps and road-width speed pads, slow down or face the cost of repairs.
8. When you're manoeuvering, curb your enthusiasm so you don't kerb your car tyres. Kerb impacts can wreck not only tyres, they can scratch, chip and even dent your car's wheels. Steering misalignment can also result from kerbing.
9. Keep your car in a garage, if you can. Car tyres suffer from prolonged exposure to ultra violet light. This leads to cracking and crazing of the car tyre sidewalls' structure.
10. When the time to buy replacement tyres rolls around, think about replacing all four. Should this be too costly, always have new tyres fitted in pairs. It's accepted that the new tyres should be fitted to the rear wheels.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Winter Wisdom. Meeting Bad Weather Car Tyre Challenges
The usual seasonal symptoms are back again. In the UK, winter presents a series of tough tests for car tyres. As well as your tyres, it is you who are on test – drivers, rather than cars, generally cause accidents. Here are some salient points about winter driving…
Snow and Ice
A mountain climber's crampons, the tracks on a Caterpillar tractor, the toothed drive belt on a snowmobile…certain things are made to grip on snow and ice. Since (with some exceptions) you can't fit such things on your car, you have to cope, using the tyres your car usually wears. There is, however an option. When the temperature drops, your usual tyres will lose flexibility. Winter car tyres are designed to retain their flexibility at lower temperatures, so it makes sense to invest in a set. Motorists are discovering that such car tyres really do offer significantly enhanced grip and control, and using them on a set of (preferably steel) 'winter wheels' will preserve your usual alloy wheels from the ravages of salt and grit.
What are the exceptions? Countries with permafrost can be home to car tyres with studs. In the UK, seriously bad conditions can trigger the use of snow chains. A new item occupies the middle ground. Snow socks are car tyre covers made of a tough, woven material. Easier to fit and quieter than chains, they can be useful when drivers are caught out by unexpected snowfalls. Bear in mind that they will wear out in no time on tarmac.
Rain
When it isn't quite cold enough to snow, rain and sleet present car tyre challenges of their own. Reduced visibility is a foregone conclusion but don't forget that wet weather compromises grip. Your car tyres will move surface water but a wet surface remains relatively slippery. Remember to leave more room between you and the vehicle in front, to allow for increased braking distances.
Flooding
Lots of rain can lead to flooding. Standing water can be dangerous. When your car tyres hit it, you'll feel the steering wheel pulling in response. At worst, your tyres may aquaplane. When the tyres ride on the surface of the water, suspiciously light steering signals radically reduced grip. If you feel this, lift off the throttle and slow down until the grip returns.
If you encounter a flood, remember that negotiating it requires care. Keep to the crown of the road, where the water will be shallower, and look out for the white line. This will help you gauge the depth of the water. While you can trust your tyres, remember that your engine, if it sucks in water, will be wrecked. Keep the engine revs up to help stop the exhaust inhaling water. However, if you are in any doubt whatsoever about the depth of the water, use another route.
Fog
In thick fog, you're bound to suffer loss of visibility. Your car tyres won't suddenly offer greater grip just because you notice that you're hurtling towards the back of stationary truck. So drive as fast as you can see, and no faster. Remember to use your windscreen wipers and washers often in fog; your screen can collect water and grime surprisingly quickly, further reducing visibility.
In winter, the watchword is caution. Even on winter car tyres, grip will be compromised to some extent by bad weather. Should the visibility and grip be truly awful, simply put your feet up by the fire and live to drive another day.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Snow and Ice
A mountain climber's crampons, the tracks on a Caterpillar tractor, the toothed drive belt on a snowmobile…certain things are made to grip on snow and ice. Since (with some exceptions) you can't fit such things on your car, you have to cope, using the tyres your car usually wears. There is, however an option. When the temperature drops, your usual tyres will lose flexibility. Winter car tyres are designed to retain their flexibility at lower temperatures, so it makes sense to invest in a set. Motorists are discovering that such car tyres really do offer significantly enhanced grip and control, and using them on a set of (preferably steel) 'winter wheels' will preserve your usual alloy wheels from the ravages of salt and grit.
What are the exceptions? Countries with permafrost can be home to car tyres with studs. In the UK, seriously bad conditions can trigger the use of snow chains. A new item occupies the middle ground. Snow socks are car tyre covers made of a tough, woven material. Easier to fit and quieter than chains, they can be useful when drivers are caught out by unexpected snowfalls. Bear in mind that they will wear out in no time on tarmac.
Rain
When it isn't quite cold enough to snow, rain and sleet present car tyre challenges of their own. Reduced visibility is a foregone conclusion but don't forget that wet weather compromises grip. Your car tyres will move surface water but a wet surface remains relatively slippery. Remember to leave more room between you and the vehicle in front, to allow for increased braking distances.
Flooding
Lots of rain can lead to flooding. Standing water can be dangerous. When your car tyres hit it, you'll feel the steering wheel pulling in response. At worst, your tyres may aquaplane. When the tyres ride on the surface of the water, suspiciously light steering signals radically reduced grip. If you feel this, lift off the throttle and slow down until the grip returns.
If you encounter a flood, remember that negotiating it requires care. Keep to the crown of the road, where the water will be shallower, and look out for the white line. This will help you gauge the depth of the water. While you can trust your tyres, remember that your engine, if it sucks in water, will be wrecked. Keep the engine revs up to help stop the exhaust inhaling water. However, if you are in any doubt whatsoever about the depth of the water, use another route.
Fog
In thick fog, you're bound to suffer loss of visibility. Your car tyres won't suddenly offer greater grip just because you notice that you're hurtling towards the back of stationary truck. So drive as fast as you can see, and no faster. Remember to use your windscreen wipers and washers often in fog; your screen can collect water and grime surprisingly quickly, further reducing visibility.
In winter, the watchword is caution. Even on winter car tyres, grip will be compromised to some extent by bad weather. Should the visibility and grip be truly awful, simply put your feet up by the fire and live to drive another day.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Monday, 7 November 2011
A Bit on the Sidewall – What Car Tyre Markings Mean
All car tyres have them but not everyone knows what the markings moulded in a tyre's sidewall means. At the very least, it is necessary on many cars to check the sidewall as the tyre pressure to be used can relate to the tyre size. However, this little trip through the meaning of the markings will inform, especially when the time to buy new tyres arrives.
Here, we can use a theoretical, typical car tyre. Let's say it's marked 185/55R13 91 H. Confused already? Don't be, things will become perfectly clear! Take the tyre markings one by one….
185 – This is the width of the tyre’s section in millimetres, i.e. the width of the carcass of the tyre, not its tread's width. 185 millimetres is a little over seven and a quarter inches.
55 – This figure refers to the tyre’s aspect ratio, which is the height of the tyre height expressed as a percentage of its width. 55 is a low-ish profile but aspect ratios can go as low as 30%. Low profile car tyres grip well and deform little but the cost is reduced ride comfort and poor protection against potholes, kerbs and road debris.
R – This couldn't be simpler. Here, R means radial.
13 – This number refers to the diameter of wheel the tyre will fit. Why this is expressed in inches rather than millimetres isn't clear but it is standard practice.
91 – This is the tyre load index, a code for the maximum load capacity of the tyre when driven at its maximum rated speed. The figure 91 means a rating of 615 kilograms.
H – This final marking shows the tyre’s speed rating. This H rating means the tyre can cope with extended use at a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour (210 kilometres per hour). The highest possible speed rating is Z. Car tyres thus marked are capable of maintaining 150 mph (240 kph).
There are numerous other markings on a car tyre's sidewall, some of which are for the tyre fitter's information. For example, if the tyre has a specific direction of rotation, there will be an arrow. A 'TWI' marking denotes where the tread wear indicator(s) are moulded into the tyre's tread. A coloured dot will show the tyre fitter where the tyre casing should sit on the wheel in relation to the valve. There will also be ECE (not EEC) type approval markings, possibly special construction markings, such as M&S (Mud and Snow), and a maximum pressure marking.
One marking that could be of interest to you is the DOT code. The last four numbers in this show the tyre’s date of manufacture. Four-digit codes began after 2003 so if your new car tyre has the code 2 5 0 9, it was made in the 30th week of 2009. Tyres over 6 years old must never be used.
All very interesting but do these markings matter to you? Apart from the aforementioned tyre size vs. tyre pressure element, the speed and load ratings are extremely important. Why? Because at best, using under-specified tyres is illegal and can invalidate your car insurance. At worst, the wrong kind of tyre can fail and cause a potentially lethal accident at high speed.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Here, we can use a theoretical, typical car tyre. Let's say it's marked 185/55R13 91 H. Confused already? Don't be, things will become perfectly clear! Take the tyre markings one by one….
185 – This is the width of the tyre’s section in millimetres, i.e. the width of the carcass of the tyre, not its tread's width. 185 millimetres is a little over seven and a quarter inches.
55 – This figure refers to the tyre’s aspect ratio, which is the height of the tyre height expressed as a percentage of its width. 55 is a low-ish profile but aspect ratios can go as low as 30%. Low profile car tyres grip well and deform little but the cost is reduced ride comfort and poor protection against potholes, kerbs and road debris.
R – This couldn't be simpler. Here, R means radial.
13 – This number refers to the diameter of wheel the tyre will fit. Why this is expressed in inches rather than millimetres isn't clear but it is standard practice.
91 – This is the tyre load index, a code for the maximum load capacity of the tyre when driven at its maximum rated speed. The figure 91 means a rating of 615 kilograms.
H – This final marking shows the tyre’s speed rating. This H rating means the tyre can cope with extended use at a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour (210 kilometres per hour). The highest possible speed rating is Z. Car tyres thus marked are capable of maintaining 150 mph (240 kph).
There are numerous other markings on a car tyre's sidewall, some of which are for the tyre fitter's information. For example, if the tyre has a specific direction of rotation, there will be an arrow. A 'TWI' marking denotes where the tread wear indicator(s) are moulded into the tyre's tread. A coloured dot will show the tyre fitter where the tyre casing should sit on the wheel in relation to the valve. There will also be ECE (not EEC) type approval markings, possibly special construction markings, such as M&S (Mud and Snow), and a maximum pressure marking.
One marking that could be of interest to you is the DOT code. The last four numbers in this show the tyre’s date of manufacture. Four-digit codes began after 2003 so if your new car tyre has the code 2 5 0 9, it was made in the 30th week of 2009. Tyres over 6 years old must never be used.
All very interesting but do these markings matter to you? Apart from the aforementioned tyre size vs. tyre pressure element, the speed and load ratings are extremely important. Why? Because at best, using under-specified tyres is illegal and can invalidate your car insurance. At worst, the wrong kind of tyre can fail and cause a potentially lethal accident at high speed.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Winter of Discontent…Beat it with Winter Tyres
Last night's frost warning was a harbinger of the approach of winter. Here in the UK, we should be used to harsh conditions. However, give us an inch (of snow) and the miles aren't covered…the country tends to come to a grinding halt. Is there a solution? Well, the increasingly popular winter car tyres may help.
This begs a question: are winter tyres genuinely useful or are they just a way of extracting more money from we motorists? Let's see.
Recommended in Andorra, Italy, Norway and Switzerland, winter tyres are compulsory in Austria, Germany and Sweden and mandatory in Finland. These rules naturally apply on snow-covered roads and/or during the snow season. Often, there is the distinction that the tyres must be marked 'M&S' (no, not Marks and Spencer, the marking stands for 'Mud and Snow'.) Newer snow tyres may have a symbol of a snowflake in front of a mountain. Currently, the distinction between winter and snow tyres is a touch unclear. A good tyre bay will advise you of the exact designation and specification.
In fact, specification is what winter tyres are all about. Car tyres in general are made in much the same way but the rubber compounds used and the tread patterns vary. Winter tyres are made with a high silica content. The probable tread pattern has two tricks up its sleeve. One is a more aggressive tread pattern than 'summer' car tyres. This is present to enhance grip.
The winter car tyre tread's second line of defence involves a winter tyre key word, flexibility. When ordinary tyres have to work in temperatures below 7 degrees centigrade, they stiffen up in the cold conditions. In winter tyres, the compound and tread pattern both improve flexibility.
The benefit of winter tyres is that they give better grip in cold conditions, in rain as well as when snow and ice are about. There are plenty of subjective reports concerning car tyres and most of those concerning winter tyres are favourable. In some cases, cars found to be pretty hopeless in snow are transformed!
Are winter tyres the car tyres for all seasons? Their name offers a huge clue here. Summer tyres will outperform winter ones on dry roads and in reasonable temperatures, and winter tyres, having a softer compound, will naturally wear faster. This suggests following the lead of many continental drivers. They have two sets of tyres, one for winter, one for summer.
This brings us, in turn, to a potentially superior arrangement, which is also popular on the continent and in some cases is a legal requirement. Generally speaking, car tyres can handle most road conditions. However, in the depths of winter, the environment down at road level can be especially harsh. Car tyres may be able to cope with the salt and grit that gives some winter grip but our alloy wheels can suffer. Many popular cars have base models that wear steel wheels. One solution is to have a set of winter tyres on these. A set of steel wheels, with winter tyres, balanced and ready to roll can be fitted when the thermometer starts to plummet. With these 'winter wheels' fitted, your car can take on whatever the season has to throw at it, while your pristine summer wheels can live in cool, dark storage, ready for Spring. Bear in mind that suitable wheel nuts/bolts will have to be factored into the equation.
What's the bottom line? Assuming you need to use your car in the off season, winter car tyres are worth the investment.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
This begs a question: are winter tyres genuinely useful or are they just a way of extracting more money from we motorists? Let's see.
Recommended in Andorra, Italy, Norway and Switzerland, winter tyres are compulsory in Austria, Germany and Sweden and mandatory in Finland. These rules naturally apply on snow-covered roads and/or during the snow season. Often, there is the distinction that the tyres must be marked 'M&S' (no, not Marks and Spencer, the marking stands for 'Mud and Snow'.) Newer snow tyres may have a symbol of a snowflake in front of a mountain. Currently, the distinction between winter and snow tyres is a touch unclear. A good tyre bay will advise you of the exact designation and specification.
In fact, specification is what winter tyres are all about. Car tyres in general are made in much the same way but the rubber compounds used and the tread patterns vary. Winter tyres are made with a high silica content. The probable tread pattern has two tricks up its sleeve. One is a more aggressive tread pattern than 'summer' car tyres. This is present to enhance grip.
The winter car tyre tread's second line of defence involves a winter tyre key word, flexibility. When ordinary tyres have to work in temperatures below 7 degrees centigrade, they stiffen up in the cold conditions. In winter tyres, the compound and tread pattern both improve flexibility.
The benefit of winter tyres is that they give better grip in cold conditions, in rain as well as when snow and ice are about. There are plenty of subjective reports concerning car tyres and most of those concerning winter tyres are favourable. In some cases, cars found to be pretty hopeless in snow are transformed!
Are winter tyres the car tyres for all seasons? Their name offers a huge clue here. Summer tyres will outperform winter ones on dry roads and in reasonable temperatures, and winter tyres, having a softer compound, will naturally wear faster. This suggests following the lead of many continental drivers. They have two sets of tyres, one for winter, one for summer.
This brings us, in turn, to a potentially superior arrangement, which is also popular on the continent and in some cases is a legal requirement. Generally speaking, car tyres can handle most road conditions. However, in the depths of winter, the environment down at road level can be especially harsh. Car tyres may be able to cope with the salt and grit that gives some winter grip but our alloy wheels can suffer. Many popular cars have base models that wear steel wheels. One solution is to have a set of winter tyres on these. A set of steel wheels, with winter tyres, balanced and ready to roll can be fitted when the thermometer starts to plummet. With these 'winter wheels' fitted, your car can take on whatever the season has to throw at it, while your pristine summer wheels can live in cool, dark storage, ready for Spring. Bear in mind that suitable wheel nuts/bolts will have to be factored into the equation.
What's the bottom line? Assuming you need to use your car in the off season, winter car tyres are worth the investment.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Inside A Car Tyre
Many people take their car tyres for granted, but there's far more to them than meets the eye. Knowing how they are made will illustrate this point.
How is a car tyre made? Production starts with a halobutyl rubber sheet that has special air-retaining additives. This sheet forms the tyre's inner liner. A three-layer body ply comes next, in which a central layer of reinforcing fabric is sandwiched between two layers of rubber. Cotton used to be the material of choice for the reinforcing fabric but this has been replaced with Nylon, Rayon, polyester or even Kevlar. The body ply's role is to give the tyre strength and flexibility; two such plies may be used in a tyre.
The acceptable faces of the tyre, the sidewalls, include antiozonants and antioxidants to enhance their life. The sidewalls can resist chemical attack and abrasion, and the tyre's ratings and size codes are moulded into them.
Of course, the tyre's sidewalls need to form a seal on the wheel rim. Bands of high tensile steel wire, copper or brass coated for corrosion resistance, form the beads on the inner diameter of the sidewalls. The triangular rubber section that joins the beads to the sidewalls is called the apex. The bead structure is what forms an airtight seal with the wheel rim.
Now for the tread and its underlying structure. The belt package is the part of the tyre that sits inside the tread. It's made up of two layers of rubber that enclose a layer of steel cords. These cords run radially in the belt package, hence the term 'radial tyres'. The belt package is a major player in the tyre's strength. The tread pattern is visible but the rubber compound used to make it is just as important. The choice of compound is a matter of a selecting a balance, between hardness (wear) and (grip). Think 'compromise'.
These are the parts of a tyre and they must obviously be assembled and made into a tough, resilient structure. This procedure begins with wrapping the inner liner, body ply(s), sidewalls and beads around a special drum. Then, the belt package and tread are added, and the various elements are spliced together. At this stage the tyre is yet to be cured, and is known as a 'green' tyre. In this state, it is inflated and shaped.
Curing comes next, to bond the various parts of the tyre into a coherent whole. A rubber bladder is inflated inside the tyre, forcing it into a mould. Hot water, steam or an inert gas is used to inflate this bladder, and the curing process involves a great deal of heat and pressure…350 degrees Fahrenheit and 350 pounds per square inch to be precise. The curing process takes about 15 minutes.
The final stage is to test the cured tyre on a mock road surface, to seek out localized inflexibility and significant imbalances. Every tyre is given a visual inspection and sometimes, an X-ray inspection too.
So, car tyres are built tough to be tough, which they must be to take on the tough job they do. As they are all that keep your car on the road, it's reassuring to know how much effort and care go into making them.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
How is a car tyre made? Production starts with a halobutyl rubber sheet that has special air-retaining additives. This sheet forms the tyre's inner liner. A three-layer body ply comes next, in which a central layer of reinforcing fabric is sandwiched between two layers of rubber. Cotton used to be the material of choice for the reinforcing fabric but this has been replaced with Nylon, Rayon, polyester or even Kevlar. The body ply's role is to give the tyre strength and flexibility; two such plies may be used in a tyre.
The acceptable faces of the tyre, the sidewalls, include antiozonants and antioxidants to enhance their life. The sidewalls can resist chemical attack and abrasion, and the tyre's ratings and size codes are moulded into them.
Of course, the tyre's sidewalls need to form a seal on the wheel rim. Bands of high tensile steel wire, copper or brass coated for corrosion resistance, form the beads on the inner diameter of the sidewalls. The triangular rubber section that joins the beads to the sidewalls is called the apex. The bead structure is what forms an airtight seal with the wheel rim.
Now for the tread and its underlying structure. The belt package is the part of the tyre that sits inside the tread. It's made up of two layers of rubber that enclose a layer of steel cords. These cords run radially in the belt package, hence the term 'radial tyres'. The belt package is a major player in the tyre's strength. The tread pattern is visible but the rubber compound used to make it is just as important. The choice of compound is a matter of a selecting a balance, between hardness (wear) and (grip). Think 'compromise'.
These are the parts of a tyre and they must obviously be assembled and made into a tough, resilient structure. This procedure begins with wrapping the inner liner, body ply(s), sidewalls and beads around a special drum. Then, the belt package and tread are added, and the various elements are spliced together. At this stage the tyre is yet to be cured, and is known as a 'green' tyre. In this state, it is inflated and shaped.
Curing comes next, to bond the various parts of the tyre into a coherent whole. A rubber bladder is inflated inside the tyre, forcing it into a mould. Hot water, steam or an inert gas is used to inflate this bladder, and the curing process involves a great deal of heat and pressure…350 degrees Fahrenheit and 350 pounds per square inch to be precise. The curing process takes about 15 minutes.
The final stage is to test the cured tyre on a mock road surface, to seek out localized inflexibility and significant imbalances. Every tyre is given a visual inspection and sometimes, an X-ray inspection too.
So, car tyres are built tough to be tough, which they must be to take on the tough job they do. As they are all that keep your car on the road, it's reassuring to know how much effort and care go into making them.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Friday, 15 July 2011
Car Tyres In Law: Your Legal Obligations
What hurts more, being fined for using illegal car tyres or paying out so your car tyres are legal and safe? In practice, the latter cancels out the former. However, it pays to know what the law requires of you in relation to your car's tyres. Here is a breakdown of the legal necessities as regards car tyres.
Driving on worn or damaged tyres can attract a fine (or an MOT failure) and it can also place you firmly in breach of your car insurance policy's conditions. Both these events matter but something else you may be doing is of far greater importance. Never forget that using tyres that are of the wrong type, are damaged or are worn endangers lives.
Important Points
What makes a car tyre poor? Several aspects can put a tyre in this category but there are important factors you need to consider…
Car tyres must not have any lumps, bumps or tears caused by separation or partial structural failure.
They must not have a cut or tear longer than 25 millimetres, or longer than 10 per cent of the width of the tyre's section (whichever is the greater). No such damage may be sufficiently deep as to reach the tyre's internal cords.
No part of the tyre's internal plies or cords may be exposed.
Any tyre must be compatible with the type of tyres fitted to the other wheels
Any tyre, on a car or trailer, must be fit for purpose and free from any defect that might endanger any person or damage the road.
Legal Tyre Maintenance
All car tyres have to be correctly inflated, to the car maker's and tyre manufacturer's recommendations. It is acknowledged that under certain circumstances, 'run-flat' tyres may be used in an uninflated or partially inflated state.
How Much Tread?
The legal minimum tread depth requirement for a car tyre is, 'at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the centre 3/4 of the tread and around the entire circumference.' This tread depth must not fall below the legal minimum and the original tread pattern must be visible.
Must I Carry a Spare?
In law, you aren't obliged to carry a spare tyre and nor need one meet legal requirements when it is stored in or under the car. However, if a spare tyre is used, it must comply with all the above legal requirements.
The Penalties
Now for the bottom line. What will illegal tyres cost you? Read on, carefully…
If you use a vehicle with one or more defective or illegal tyres, a police officer can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (a Conditional Offer Notice in Scotland).
At his or her discretion, a police officer may decide not to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice but may report the case for prosecution.
Both the car's driver and its owner (if he or she is not the same person) are liable. One or both may be issued a summons.
A court can impose fines up to a maximum of £2,500, and three penalty points. This relates to a car; the financial penalty for a goods vehicle or for one built or modified to carry more than eight passengers can be double this amount.
If a car has more than one defective tyre, a summons can be issued for each illegal tyre.
Under certain circumstances, disqualification becomes possible.
Sobering reading? Certainly, but this is probably less punitive than the physical costs of a car accident caused by an illegal tyre.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
Driving on worn or damaged tyres can attract a fine (or an MOT failure) and it can also place you firmly in breach of your car insurance policy's conditions. Both these events matter but something else you may be doing is of far greater importance. Never forget that using tyres that are of the wrong type, are damaged or are worn endangers lives.
Important Points
What makes a car tyre poor? Several aspects can put a tyre in this category but there are important factors you need to consider…
Car tyres must not have any lumps, bumps or tears caused by separation or partial structural failure.
They must not have a cut or tear longer than 25 millimetres, or longer than 10 per cent of the width of the tyre's section (whichever is the greater). No such damage may be sufficiently deep as to reach the tyre's internal cords.
No part of the tyre's internal plies or cords may be exposed.
Any tyre must be compatible with the type of tyres fitted to the other wheels
Any tyre, on a car or trailer, must be fit for purpose and free from any defect that might endanger any person or damage the road.
Legal Tyre Maintenance
All car tyres have to be correctly inflated, to the car maker's and tyre manufacturer's recommendations. It is acknowledged that under certain circumstances, 'run-flat' tyres may be used in an uninflated or partially inflated state.
How Much Tread?
The legal minimum tread depth requirement for a car tyre is, 'at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the centre 3/4 of the tread and around the entire circumference.' This tread depth must not fall below the legal minimum and the original tread pattern must be visible.
Must I Carry a Spare?
In law, you aren't obliged to carry a spare tyre and nor need one meet legal requirements when it is stored in or under the car. However, if a spare tyre is used, it must comply with all the above legal requirements.
The Penalties
Now for the bottom line. What will illegal tyres cost you? Read on, carefully…
If you use a vehicle with one or more defective or illegal tyres, a police officer can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (a Conditional Offer Notice in Scotland).
At his or her discretion, a police officer may decide not to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice but may report the case for prosecution.
Both the car's driver and its owner (if he or she is not the same person) are liable. One or both may be issued a summons.
A court can impose fines up to a maximum of £2,500, and three penalty points. This relates to a car; the financial penalty for a goods vehicle or for one built or modified to carry more than eight passengers can be double this amount.
If a car has more than one defective tyre, a summons can be issued for each illegal tyre.
Under certain circumstances, disqualification becomes possible.
Sobering reading? Certainly, but this is probably less punitive than the physical costs of a car accident caused by an illegal tyre.
Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading UK independent suppliers of car tyres. Why not visit their website for an online tyre quote or contact your nearest fitting centre.
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