5 reasons why you should not neglect your tires this spring:
1. Summer tires stop quicker on wet
Modern winter tires are designed to work well on snow, ice, slush and moderate rain, but when it comes to rain-soaked summer streets, summer tires are far superior. The difference in braking distance between a worn-out non-studded winter tire and a summer tire in good condition on a wet road surface is over 12 meters from the speed of 80 km/h*. That is over two lengths of a car and makes a big difference when you need to stop abruptly to avoid hitting an obstacle on the road.
2. Summer tires prevent aquaplaning
Aquaplaning is a dangerous phenomenon, where the tire loses contact with the road when too much water comes between its surface and the tire tread. The result is an uncontrollable skid, where the driver can do nothing but hope for the best. Winter tires may be excellent when it comes to slushplaning but are no match for summer tires when driving into a mass of deep water. Whereas a summer tire can endure a speed of over 80 km/h on a wet road before aquaplaning, a worn-out non-studded winter tire will skid out of control at 60 km/h*.
3. Summer tires make driving more comfortable and precise
Although they may appear similar black circles, summer and winter tires are fundamentally different. In winter tires, everything from the tread design to the softer rubber compound has been created to make driving safe in colder conditions. Not only will they not work well in summer, but the hot road surfaces will also make them wear out quicker and lose their winter safety properties for the next season. Summer tires, on the other hand, are designed to bring safety and comfort to summer driving. Warm city streets and hot highways that are detrimental to winter tires, are the natural habitat for summer tires. They will provide an easy ride with precise handling and quick response at the turn of the steering wheel. This makes driving not only more comfortable, but also safer in situations where you have to maneuver sharply to dodge something on the road.
4. Tires’ condition and quality are important safety factors
When it comes to changing tires, throwing just anything under the car does not guarantee safer driving. Before swapping summer tires on, it’s important to check their condition. If they have a tread depth of less than 4 mm, it’s wise to consider buying new ones as the tires are not safe anymore on wet. Checking the tires for uneven wear and for cuts or tears is also important before driving – don’t use anything that looks damaged. Also, tires should not be used when they are over 10 years old or been used for more that 6 years. When you buy quality summer tires for the summer and premium winter tires for the winter months, you will receive optimum safety for a long time.
5. Tire dealers are well prepared to serve customers even during the pandemic
Tire dealers are taking measures to make sure that customers can visit their shops safely. Many chains have extensive plans on how to disinfect their shops and provide appropriate safety distances between the staff and customers. Some chains have announced that their services can be used totally without human contact. Also remember that many tire dealers have online shops, where you can book and even pay for products and services, and contact the staff for questions and support.
* Tekniikan Maailma 05/2019