Why Tyres Are Important

Tyres are essential for safe driving as they are the only link between your vehicle and the road. The four key functions of tyres are to provide grip for braking and acceleration, support the weight of the vehicle, maintain steering and directional control, and to act as a shock absorber for vibrations from the road.

Weather

As most motorists already know, snow and ice can pose many hazards and require those on the road to adapt their driving style to keep safe. What many don’t consider is that other wintry conditions, such as coldness and damp, can also affect driving conditions and the way cars perform and react when accelerating and braking.

It is for this reason that motorists need to make themselves aware about the factors influencing their tyre performance and what conditions their tyres can handle. Tyre manufacturers have developed a range of winter weather tyres, which are specially crafted to operate in snowy, icy and cold weather.

Performance

Good tyres are your guarantee for a more comfortable and safer drive. A car fitted with poor tyres will have reduced performance, increased stopping distance and a greater risk of skidding. As well as this, underinflated or worn tyres will increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Whatever the season, it is imperative for drivers to check their tyres regularly to ensure they are in good driving condition. Tyre pressure and tread depth should be checked at least once a month - the legal limit is 1.6mm. The tread is the grooved outer layer of the tyre that is in direct contact with the road. The rubber compound is engineered to grip the road, resist general wear and tear, and cope with high temperatures generated by friction.