Even today's modern road surfaces struggle to cope with a heavy downpour and standing water is a potential hazard. Try to avoid standing water and slow down. If you don't there is a high risk of the car aqua planning.
Aqua planning occurs when the car tyre's tread pattern is unable to disperse enough water to maintain a point of contact between the tyre and the road. This makes the vehicle uncontrollable with the loss of steering, grip and a sensation of driving on ice. It can be a very frightening event as I'm sure anyone who has experienced it will agree. The best advice when it happens is to hold your steering wheel lightly and lift off the accelerator until your car tyres regain their grip.
If you're unlucky enough to break down in heavy rain, stay with your car but check you are not in a location that is at risk of flash flooding. Your engine may have been affected by the water and in many cases the car will restart when it has had a chance to 'dry out'. If you have called for assistance do not prop the bonnet open until help arrives. This will cause the electrics to become rain-soaked and the car will be even harder to restart.
The rain may be so heavy that you experience a flooded road. The AA provides some good advice about how to deal with this:
1. Do not drive through flooded water unless you know how deep it is.
2. Stay in the middle of the road. This is known as the crown of the road and should be where the flood water is shallowest.
3. Drive slowly to avoid creating a bow wave, which can cause neighbouring houses to be flooded.
4. Pass one vehicle at a time through flood water. Allow the oncoming traffic to pass first.
5. Do not risk driving through fast moving water as your car can easily be swept away.
6. Driving at speed through a flood can cause expensive damage. Even a small quantity of water sucked into the engine through the air intake will cause serious damage.
7. As you drive through the flood water, keep the engine revving by slipping the clutch. This prevents water in the exhaust which may stall the engine.
8. Test your brakes as soon as you leave the water.
Car tyres in good condition will be able to cope with most wet driving surfaces. But with heavy rain or a sudden downpour extra care must be taken to avoid a possible accident or injury.
Call in to your nearest Merityre garage for a FREE car tyre check.
Friday, 20 March 2009
How to Drive in Heavy Rain & Floods
Ten Top Car Tyre Tips
- Regularly check car tyre pressures. By spending an extra 5 minutes at the petrol station checking your car tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, fuel economy can be improved by 10%.
A car tyre that is inflated below its recommended pressure will wear faster because of its higher operating temperature and the extra flexing of the rubber. This causes deterioration of the tyre casing and rapid wear of the tread shoulders.
Over inflation can also increase wear due to the decreased size of the contact area between the car tyre and the road. It accelerates the wear in the centre of the tread, an area important for protecting the tyre against impact damage.
2. Always carry a spare. It is not a legal requirement but you'll be thankful you have one when a tyre gets a puncture in a remote location. If using a compact spare tyre remember not to exceed 50 mph and replace it at the earliest opportunity.
3. Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking as this can cause a tyre blow-out.
4. Keep the tyre valves clean and always remember to replace the dust cap.
5. Avoid driving over of potholes in the road. The extra flexing of the rubber will hasten the tyres deterioration.
6. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in a car tyre's tread. If you find a nail do not remove it as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.
7. Keep the car in a garage if possible. Weather exposure causes crazing and cracking on the car tyres of vehicles kept outside.
8. Take care when using a pressure washer as it can cause damage to a tyre's sidewall. Only use at a safe distance.
9. Try to replace all four tyres at the same time. If this is not possible replace either the two front or the two back tyres together. It will prevent uneven wear which can affect the vehicle's handling.
10. Consult a car tyre specialis, like Merityre, before replacing a tyre. They will advise on the right choice of tyre according to your car's make, your budget and your driving circumstances.
For more advice, contact Merityre
Five Important Visual Checks When Buying a Second Hand Car
2. Balance and Alignment Whenever your car tyres are repaired or replaced make sure they are correctly balanced when remounted on your car. If not this will cause vibrations, increasing tyre wear, damaging suspension and leading to driver fatigue. Correct alignment is necessary to have the steering, suspension, wheel components and car tyres all working in harmony to achieve the optimum performance from your vehicle. It doesn't cost much for your local garage or car tyre specialist to check the vehicle's balance or alignment. Without it the resulting cost of repair will be far greater.
3. Inspection A visual inspection once a month does not take long and is important to maintain your car tyres in a safe condition. Check the tread depth. Most tyres have a tread wear indicator built into them. Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm. When the height of the tread wears down to the height of this bar it is time to replace your car tyres. Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking. If found change the tyre as soon as possible as cracking can cause a blow-out. Remove any stones and other objects stuck in a car tyre's tread. If a nail is found embedded in the rubber, do not remove as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.
4. Repairs Don't risk driving on a car tyre that is losing pressure. Take it to a specialist who will give the tyre a complete inspection and make the decision whether it can be repaired or replaced. Driving on a flat tyre for even a short distance will damage it beyond repair. Never try repairing a car tyre yourself. This should be handled by a trained professional.
5. Tyre Rotation The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed on all of the car tyres. By regularly rotating the tyres their lifespan is extended and uneven car tyre wear is avoided. Get an instant online tyre quote now or contact your nearest fitting centre to see how much you can save with Merityre car tyres specialist!
Five Tips to Keep your Car Tyres in Good Condition
2. Balance and Alignment Whenever your car tyres are repaired or replaced make sure they are correctly balanced when remounted on your car. If not this will cause vibrations, increasing tyre wear, damaging suspension and leading to driver fatigue. Correct alignment is necessary to have the steering, suspension, wheel components and car tyres all working in harmony to achieve the optimum performance from your vehicle. It doesn't cost much for your local garage or car tyre specialist to check the vehicle's balance or alignment. Without it the resulting cost of repair will be far greater.
3. Inspection A visual inspection once a month does not take long and is important to maintain your car tyres in a safe condition. Check the tread depth. Most tyres have a tread wear indicator built into them. Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm. When the height of the tread wears down to the height of this bar it is time to replace your car tyres. Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking. If found change the tyre as soon as possible as cracking can cause a blow-out. Remove any stones and other objects stuck in a car tyre's tread. If a nail is found embedded in the rubber, do not remove as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.
4. Repairs Don't risk driving on a car tyre that is losing pressure. Take it to a specialist who will give the tyre a complete inspection and make the decision whether it can be repaired or replaced. Driving on a flat tyre for even a short distance will damage it beyond repair. Never try repairing a car tyre yourself. This should be handled by a trained professional.
5. Tyre Rotation The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed on all of the car tyres. By regularly rotating the tyres their lifespan is extended and uneven car tyre wear is avoided. Get an instant online tyre quote now or contact your nearest fitting centre to see how much you can save with Merityre car tyres specialist!
Thursday, 24 July 2008
TÜV Sud Shows Michelin Energy Saver as Lowest Cost
The tests involved running the tyres on identical cars for more than 14,000kms. To ensure fairness, the tyres and drivers were rotated on the vehicles, discounting the role played by these different variables. Earlier results from TÜV Sud tests had shown the tyre to be among the best in terms of wet braking performance, in addition to their money-saving properties.
The head of Michelin car marketing, Thierry Rudloff released this statement following the latest good news for the company from the testing track: "Michelin tyres have always been known in the industry for their long life and low rolling resistance but these test results show the tangible benefits available to motorists in terms of the money that can be saved."
"At a time when people are finding things tough financially, with mortgage and fuel costs rising, fitting a set of Energy Saver tyres can reduce their outgoings and reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gasses into the environment at the same time."
For more information on car tyres visit Merityre
http://www.merityre.co.uk
Monday, 9 June 2008
It pays to buy quality fuel saving tyres
As fuel prices started to rise and the environment became even more of an issue, several leading brand tyre manufacturers developed fuel saving tyres. Their aim was to produce a tyre which, whilst costing at the outset more than an equivalent economy tyre, saved sufficient fuel through lower rolling resistance over the life of the tyre to provide costs savings which more than compensated for the initial extra cost of the premium fuel saving tyre.
Their calculations were based upon fuel costs at around £1.07 per litre. At this level it was worth buying the more expensive fuel saving tyre because at the “high fuel price” of £1.07 per litre, you actually save money over the life of the tyre.
Example, averaging 3 popular sizes of tyre:
Michelin Energy Saver saved 0.2litres per 100 km.
Average Michelin tyre life (front and rear) = 28,000 (45,000km) = £96.30 saving, the equivalent of one free tyre out of 4 purchased.
Based on a cost of fuel of £1.07 per litre.
Now, of course, fuel is £1.18 to £1.33 per litre and is very likely to increase further.
It really is a no-brainer at these fuel prices – the Michelin Energy Saver and the Continental Eco 3 tyres will save you money.
It really does pay to buy quality fuel saving tyres these days.
Buy Tyres
http://www.merityre.co.uk
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Ever wonder how Merityre disposes of your old tyre?
As the Merityre fitter rolls away your old tyre and replaces it with a gleaming new one, do you ever wonder how Merityre disposes of your old tyre? Landfill? No that would be illegal! The European 2006 Landfill Directive prohibits the disposal of whole and shredded tyres in landfill sites. Tyre retailers, garages and vehicle dismantlers amass an estimated waste of 40 million tyres year. An impressive number! You will be intrigued to know the where they all go!
Re-use, the most straightforward option, is the retread market that accounts for about 12% or 5 million tyres a year. There are limitations however, as a tyre can only have a retread once in its life. With cheap tyre imports, this sector is in a declining market. Tyres are also re-cycled in a variety of other ways from stationery to flood defences. How many ‘I used to be a Car Tyre’ notebooks did Santa deliver last Christmas? One of the most innovative uses of car tyres is the flood defence embankment on the river Witham in Lincolnshire. If this project proves to be successful we could see similar flood defences throughout the country to help alleviate our rising flood problems.
After re-use, the reprocessing of tyres accounts for about 40 million tyre units a year. This sector can be broadly split into materials recovery, (such as crumb tyres in carpet underlay or road surfaces), energy recovery and landfill engineering. The technology behind energy recovery is an emerging market, as tyres could replace up to 25% of coal in the cement kiln industry.
With so many options why are tyres subject to fly-tipping? Fly-tipping is not a new phenomenon and can take a number of forms from the single tyre found on the roadside to the large scale trailer load dumping, either way a huge cost to local authorities. Did you know that tyre retailers have to pay over £1 for each and every used tyre that is removed – last year alone Merityre ensured the safe environmental disposal of over 200,000 tyres.
Responsibility for tackling this problem rests not only on the tyre industry but also on the individual.
The next time you need a tyre be sure to visit Merityre, an environmentally responsible company proud to support the 'Responsible Recycler' logo.