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Winter is definitely here, as thousands of motorists across the UK woke up this morning to find their cars iced over.
But the frosty temperatures bring with them more than just an additional five minutes of de-icing in the morning. Roads could turn treacherous as icy driving conditions grip the nation, highlighting the importance of having legal tyres.
Online tyre retailer Delticom is urging British motorists to check their tyres with six simple steps in a bid to stay safe through the cold winter months.
Drivers with illegal tyres, with less than 1.6mm of tread, not only risk fines and penalty points on their licences, but also losing control of their vehicles and even causing accidents.To ensure your tyres last as long as possible, drivers should follow these six simple steps to minimise tyre damage and help identify any issues:
Drivers with illegal tyres, with less than 1.6mm of tread, not only risk fines and penalty points on their licences, but also losing control of their vehicles and even causing accidents.To ensure your tyres last as long as possible, drivers should follow these six simple steps to minimise tyre damage and help identify any issues:
- Check your tread depth - a minimum of 1.6mm of tread is required by law, but experts recommend that drivers should consider changing tyres when the tread falls below 3.0mm for summer tyres, and 4mm for winter/cold weather tyres.
- Tyre pressures - should be checked regularly and adjusted according to the manufacturer's handbook. Under no circumstances should tyre pressures be reduced for driving in snow, it is totally incorrect to think that by doing this that the tyre's footprint is enlarged. It will in fact reduce stability of the vehicle.
- Regularly check all tyres for damage. Sidewalls are prone to damage caused by striking an object covered by snow or skidding into a kerb.
- Check the spare tyre in the boot for both tread depth and pressure. If it's fitted following a break down, the tyre needs to be legal.
- Clean dirt from around the valves and fit dust caps all round - this will help prevent pressure loss.
- Check for uneven wear - This will identify misaligned wheels, causing excessive wear and reducing the tyres life and overall performance.
There is always the possibility that this year's winter will include snow and ice with the freezing weather conditions. As well as considering winter or cold weather tyres, motorists should ensure their current tyres are in good condition. Winter tyres offer better grip in cold and freezing conditions or when temperatures fall below 7°C.
A car braking at 60mph on a wet road at a temperature of 5°C can stop 5 metres shorter with winter tyres fitted, which is equivalent to more than one car length, offering more control when grip levels are, like temperatures, at a minimum.