Rock And Roll Paintworks
Check your tyres during the winter months to stay safe
Winter is soon going to be upon us and even during autumn it isn’t uncommon for us to experience the hallmarks of winter with icy roads and the occasional snow fall. A little known fact is that many drivers do not pay enough attention to their car’s tyres and over time this neglect can lead to serious trouble in the form of a puncture or blowout.
During the winter this threat becomes greater as we rely heavily on our tyres to do their job of gripping the road’s surface when it gets cold and icy. It has been found that a tyre naturally loses roughly 1 psi per month, and during the winter or when the temperature drops by a tenth of a degree a tyre also drops 1 psi in pressure again.
So when the temperature drops significantly our tyres can quickly become underinflated and unsafe if left unchecked. This is why we should regularly check the pressure in all our tyres (including any spares) to ensure they are at their recommended fill levels. It’s recommended that drivers check their levels every month but during winter or after the onset of colder conditions, it’s more prudent to check the pressure every week or so.
During the winter months it’s also more important than ever to make sure you have an adequate level of tread on your tyres, the grip your car has on the road will be incredibly low with snow, ice and slush on the road. In order to make sure you don’t lose traction it is recommended that you clear the tread of any water and ice before setting off. One tip is to sprinkle your driveway with rock salt, this will melt away any ice that forms and hopefully the roads around you should be treated with rock salt by the local council.
One important point to remember about driving on roads which have been gritted is that you should still drive slower than usual to make sure no bits get flicked up and damage your paintwork or windscreen. Rock salt can leave a white residue on your windscreen so it’s important to make sure your washer fluid is topped up too so you can keep your windows clear.
One more thing to remember when it comes to tyres is that your braking distances will be increased considerably and expect to skid even when driving at low speeds. Driving slower than usual is important but also once you notice your car is sliding it is often thought the best practice for stopping safely is to brake early but also pump the brakes rather than just holding the pedal down. It’s as important to let your wheels roll as it is to apply the brakes. Without being able to roll on icy roads your car will slide and skid, something you want to avoid.
About the Author
Phil has been writing on various car finance related subject such as used cars and car loans to help find the right car for you
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