tyre safety – Pulpaddict

Don’t take risks on the road this Christmas

Bridgestone is making a festive road safety plea for motorists driving home for Christmas.

Latest research from the tyre giant revealed that more than half (54%) don’t regard driving on illegal tyres as being potentially life threatening, with only 14% describing them as the most important safety feature on their cars.

The survey of 2,000 also showed that despite tyres being the only contact points between a vehicle and the road – and responsible for 159 deaths or serious injuries from defective tyres related accidents – 81% admitted to never checking their tyres for signs of wear or damage.

More than 5,000 people are have been killed in tyre-related incidents on roads in the last five years and there are an estimated 10 million illegal tyres on UK roads.

In the run up to Christmas – and many people making more journeys to see loved ones over the holiday period – Bridgestone has renewed its call to get motorists to find a few minutes to check their tyres.

“Driving over the Christmas holidays is something everyone should prepare for,” said Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti.

“It is not only about having the right tyres; the driver’s behaviour is also essential in these conditions as he or she needs to understand and adapt to different winter hazards.

“It is therefore crucial to not only prepare our vehicles, but also ourselves when the weather gets cold, as we are seeing at this time of year.”

Bridgestone’s top tyre tips for motorists

Periodically check traction, or available grip, when driving in challenging conditions. Apply the brakes with moderate pressure to determine the available grip and modify your driving, if needed, to respond to ever-changing road conditions.
Under-inflated tyres not only compromise motorists’ ability to brake and manoeuvre safely, but they also consume more fuel and wear out faster. Information on the recommended tyre pressure can be found in the operating manual, on the inside of the door pillars or under your fuel cap.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Insert a 20p coin in the tread; if you can see the border, it’s time to change the tyres.
Maximise available grip by separating driving manoeuvres when negotiating a curve. Brake to an appropriate speed while travelling in a straight line prior to a curve. This allows you to use all the available grip for negotiating the curve. Accelerate gradually when you are able to straighten the steering wheel at the exit of the turn.
Avoid cruise control in wet, icy or snowy conditions. Maintain control of acceleration and deceleration at all times.
Avoid driving in bad weather conditions. Your safety comes first.

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Can you identify a tyre’s crucial ‘load rating’?

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Only 6% of motorists in the UK are able to correctly identify a tyre’s load rating, according to a survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres.

The load rating signifies the maximum weight of the vehicle that can safely use the tyre, so choosing a tyre with an unsuitable load rating can compromise the vehicle’s performance and efficiency, as well as its safety.

Modern electric vehicles (EVs) are typically much heavier than conventional combustion engine alternatives, making it even more important for consumers to select a compatible tyre.

The poll of 1,000 motorists also found that 11% of men were able to identify the load rating mark on a tyre, compared to just 3% of women.

Additionally, just 14% of motorists are aware that tyres fitted to an EV normally need to be inflated to higher pressures, to ensure safe and efficient operation.

That proportion falls to only 6% among motorists aged 55 to 64, and peaks at over half (52%) among 18 to 24-year-olds. Crucially, among EV drivers, the percentage is still low – just 38%.

Tyre inflation rates are specific to each vehicle and are essential for maintaining optimal levels of grip, traction and rolling resistance.

“As Europe moves towards the mass adoption of EVs, it is becoming even more important for carmakers and the wider tyre industry – from manufacturers to retailers and fitters – to help consumers understand the crucial importance of load rating compatibility and the need to maintain correct inflation rates,” said Yves Pouliquen of Apollo Tyres.

“The need to educate extends beyond the point of purchase. EV owners understandably want to maximise driving range, but under-inflation can significantly increase rolling resistance and that equates to poor efficiency.”

Apollo Tyres offers a wide range of Vredestein passenger car tyres to suit internal-combustion-engine vehicles and EVs. In November 2022, Apollo Tyres launched its first dedicated EV tyre, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV. As well as being the first all-season EV tyre on the market, the new Quatrac Pro EV is the first EV tyre to be available with ‘High Load’ (HL) certification (255/40 R 20 variant), underlining its suitability for large all-electric cars and SUVs.

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Young drivers putting brakes on car maintenance

New research claims that more than three-quarters of motorists aged 18-34 have delayed key vehicle checks to save money.

As drivers battle the cost of living crisis, data commissioned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, also shows almost a third (28%) of younger drivers have held off their annual car service and 30% have put off changing their oil.

Key tyre checks have also been put on hold, with 30% of younger drivers surveyed also admitting putting off fixing a puncture, and 28% delaying changing tyres with low tread.

But it’s not just younger drivers who are making tough choices on car upkeep. The data also found that 15% of all drivers, of all ages, said their annual car service is on the backburner thanks to the rise in living costs, with 11% avoiding paying out for necessary tyre changes.

Which of the following repairs/improvements have you put off/delayed making to your car as a result of the cost-of-living crisis?
Total	Total (all ages)	18-34
Service	15%	28%
Tyre change, eg replacing a tyre with low tread	11%	28%
Tyre repair, eg fixing a puncture	7%	22%
Oil change	9%	30%
None of these	61%	21%

“This study shows that drivers are already making difficult choices about what they can and cannot afford, which could negatively impact the environment, their safety and the safety of other road users.” said Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart.

“Servicing doesn’t just look good in a log book, it’s there for a reason, and can pick up a range of issues which could present safety risks to drivers, if not spotted.

“It also ensures that your car’s engine is running as efficiently as possible, so ignoring servicing guidelines could cost you more in the long run in repairs or increased fuel consumption.

“Likewise, tyre health has a hugely important role to play in car and road safety. Tyres with low-tread depth have less road grip, and might be illegal, so it is of concern that motorists are sadly having to put off these vital repairs.

“There is no doubt that as living costs rise, motorists are feeling the squeeze, but we urge drivers to consider the safety implications of avoiding vital repairs, especially any which may be a legal requirement and could lead to more expensive costs down the line – or worse, risking their lives or other road users. Key behaviour changes, such as driving more economically to reduce fuel consumption, can be a way to cut costs without cutting safety.”

Essential winter tyre care tips

Gareth Herincx

19 hours ago
Auto Blog

With extreme weather just around the corner it’s more important than ever to make sure your tyes are in tip-top condition.

We’ve teamed up with Goodyear to help you stay safe on the roads over the winter with these five tips…

1) Check your pressures regularly
It’s important to regularly check your tyre pressures throughout the winter. Lower temperatures can cause tyre pressures to drop, meaning the contact patch will be larger and making it more difficult to gain traction on snow and ice. Always run your tyres to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI or BAR.

2) Tread carefully
Having adequate tread depth is essential, whatever the weather. However, when your tyres are trying to grip wet and icy roads, it’s even more important that they have suitable tread. The legal limit for minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, across three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference of the tyre. As well as helping your tyres grip the road more effectively throughout the winter months, regular checks to keep your tread above the legal limit can help to avoid three penalty points and a hefty fine.

3) Consider fitting winter or all-season tyres
Most cars are fitted with summer tyres as standard, as opposed to winter or all-season tyres like Goodyear’s Vector 4Seasons Gen-3. However, the compound on summer tyres remains hard in cold temperatures, whereas a winter or all-season tyre retains its pliability and moulds to the shape of the road to retain grip. As a result, the sipes in the tread design of a winter or all season tyre will grip to snowy and icy roads much more effectively. Most manufacturers will recommend using winter tyres in temperatures below 7°C.

4) Know your braking distances
If you’re using summer tyres in winter conditions, you will need to re-evaluate your braking distances. Research from the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA) shows that when braking on icy roads at 20mph, a car fitted with winter tyres will come to a rest after 57m, while summer tyres will keep going for as far as 68m. Regardless of what kind of tyres they’re using, it’s vital that drivers keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

5) How does the tyre look?
While you should carry out proven checks on your tyre pressures and tread, it’s also important to simply look for cosmetic damage. Look for rips, tears or bulges before setting off and make sure to check your pressure, especially if your car hasn’t moved for a few days.

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