The Importance of Tyre Safety
Get the pressure right
Both under-pressurised and over-pressurised tyres can make driving your vehicle an unsafe experience, increasing the risk of road accidents. Incorrect tyre pressure can jeopardise car handling, reduce grip and decrease braking performance. Damage can be done to the inner-tyre by over-pressurisation, whilst under-pressurisation erodes the outer-tyre by increasing the rate at which the tread is worn away, shortening the tyre’s life span. Damage to the inner- or outer-tyre, such as puncture, or malfunctional valve, will lower tyre pressure to the point of deflation.
Tyre pressure should be checked once a month. The correct pressure specifications, typically measured in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI), will depend on the manufacturer and should be found in the owner’s manual, on the car sticker on the inner door, or on the tyres themselves. Do not mistake maximum pressure for operating pressure during a pressure reading. The former refers to how much pressure the tyre can endure before its structural integrity is compromised, whereas the latter refers to the correct pressure level for your car to function properly. Pressure is adjusted by inflating or deflating the tyre and is read by a pressure gauge. Only check the pressure when the tyre is cold, for the sake of accurate pressure reading. If you cannot wait for the tyres to cool, adjust the pressure reading.
It is worth noting that vehicles carrying heavier loads will need to increase tyre pressure, to counterbalance the heightened pressure put on them by the increased weight.
Tyre grip
It is the friction between tyres and the surface below which grips a vehicle to the road. If the grip is reduced, an automobile can experience uncontrollable sliding and ineffectiveness in breaking. When tyre grip is reduced, tyre safety is compromised.
The major cause of reduced tyre grip is wear and tear, caused by the friction between tyre and surface. Certain factors will influence the rate at which the tyre tread, important for maintaining grip, are worn away. If there are structural irregularities in the chassis, unequal pressure can be placed on some wheels, causing their tyres to be spent before the others. Driving at speed and vigorous braking can also wear tyres down faster.
Tyre density also plays its part. Hard tyres last longer than soft tyres but soft tyres have better grip, giving rise to a dilemma over whether longevity or grip is the most valuable attribute in a tyre.
Replace tyres when necessary
Tyre replacement is an essential component of tyre safety. No matter what cautionary and preventative measures are taken to keep tyres in their best possible condition over the course of their natural life, it is inevitable that tyres will be worn down and need to be replaced at regular intervals.
How often tyres need to be replaced depends on a number of factors, all of which will influence how long it takes for the tread to wear down to dangerous levels:
- Tyre density
- How often they are used
- The terrain they are driven over
- Average speed
- Braking activity
Tyres should be checked often, on a weekly basis if possible, to monitor the incremental erosion of the tyre material. They should be checked more often than before when the tread wears down to 3mm and should be replaced when the tread gets to 2mm.
Here at Munster Tyres, we offer top quality tyre fitting and wheel balancing services to ensure your vehicle remains fully functioning and safe at all times. Serving throughout Fulham and West London, we are dedicated to providing the most efficient service possible for ultimate performance so you can rest assured knowing that your vehicle will be completely safe to use on the road.
Further to this, if you find yourself stranded with a puncture or without a spare tyre, our specialist mobile tyre service team are committed to reaching you as quickly as possible so you are back on the road again in no time. Simply contact our friendly team today for further information about any of the services we provide – we are always happy to help!