The autumn and winter period is a special time for drivers. Rapidly falling dusk, changing aura, temperature fluctuations, fog, rainfall and ground frost make steering difficult. They also make driving summer tyres very risky. The latest PTIA test carried out by Grzegorz Duda shows, that even on a wet surface, without snow, at a temperature of 6°C, a compact passenger car with summer tyres driving at 85 km/h will brake 6 meters further than on winter tyres. Therefore, when replacing summer tyres with winter or all-season tyres, it is not worth waiting for the first snow – just make an appointment when the morning temperatures drop below 7°C. They will ensure safe handling and safety.
TEST – link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDF4FOko5c
Rainfall, leaves lying on the roads, cool and sometimes even cold evenings. These are just some of the hallmarks of the autumn rain, which are not conducive to safe driving. It is worth remembering that the poor technical condition of the car and the speed not being adapted to the conditions on the road is a recipe for an accident. The lack of proper tyres or its deficiencies, in the event of sudden braking or loss of control due to a skid, will certainly expand the police statistics. In unfavorable weather conditions, the right tyres are worth as a gold, because literally every meter counts during sudden braking.
A good tyre means shorter breaking distance
Tyres dedicated to lower temperatures, increased rain and snowfall have a number of advantages. First of all, they improve safety and driving reliability – even when there is no real winter outside. Even at a temperature of 10 ° C, braking on a dry road will be as good as with summer tyres. However, in the morning or in the evening and at night, when the temperature drops further and the road surface is wet, the situation will change. With the summer tyre variant, the braking distance will be longer by two car lengths. The difference can be up to 7 meters from 80 km/h and up to 11 meters from 90 km/h.
– Low air temperatures can be tricky. A slight skidding may cause, that the braking distance will be extended by a few meters, and yet it is in the final phase of this maneuver that we lose the most speed. Delaying replacing your summer tyres can even cost you your life. When the air temperature drops below 7°C, it is a clear signal not to wait and make an appointment with a professional tyre service – comments Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).
The soft compound means better grip!
Winter tyres are made from a different rubber mixture – containing an admixture of silica, resins and polymers – which make the tyre less stiff and does not lose its flexibility at lower than summer temperatures. This generates better grip and shorter braking distance regardless of the surface condition (dry and wet). In addition, tyre manufacturers use more aggressive patterns and treads cut with sipes that ensure traction also on snowy roads. It is also worth emphasizing that modern, high-quality winter tyres will ensure safe driving also on slightly warmer days. Thanks to this, they will prove themselves in the transition period, when the temperature exceeds 10°C during the day, and even drops to zero in the evening.
A good service is certified
Decision on changing tyres on time is only half the battle. The second is their choice – the purchase and the quality of the exchange. In the first case, it must be remembered that branded tyres are a guarantee of quality and durability. Reputable producers ensure that their products are characterized by good parameters. European rankings and independent tests of automotive editorials clearly show that in terms of, inter alia, grip on wet and dry surfaces, skid resistance and braking distances, proven companies offer products with the best parameters. You should not buy used tyres, because it is not known what their technical condition is.
– Used tyres are like worn underwear. It seems to be fine with it, but after many washes, the damage to the structure is irreversible. The same is with the tyres. Although visually they seem to be in working order, it is not certain if they have internal damage caused by e.g. driving with too little pressure – which is unfortunately common. What's worse, without specialized equipment, in practice used only in factories, we are not able to verify it. If such a defective product would end up in our car, the risk of the rubber tearing or exploding while driving is more than likely – underlines Piotr Sarnecki. – It is much better to buy new tyres, even of the budget class, than used premium tyres – ads Sarnecki.
The process of changing tyres is just as important as the choice of tyres. Workshop is not equal to workshop. Lack of appropriate training of employees and the necessary equipment may cause damage to the tyre when changing tyres – which in extreme cases may even require the purchase of a new set. However, unnecessary costs can be avoided. Just choose a certified service. The Polish Tyre Industry Association – seeing the scale of the problem – together with the independent certification company TÜV SÜD introduced a system of evaluation and awarding professional services based on an independent audit of equipment and qualifications of technical personnel. A map of the workshops that have passed the TÜV SÜD audit and received the Tyre Certificate can be found on the website certyfikatoponiarski.pl.
– We want to support and promote websites that, on the one hand, care for customers, and on the other hand, apply the highest standards of work. The certificate is the proof of this. In order to get it, the service must undergo an audit of equipment and skills as well as customer service, documented with photos. This is where the tyres will not be damaged and the driver will be sure that the work has been exemplary – summarizes Piotr Sarnecki.
More info: oponymajamoc.pl, https://oponymajamoc.pl/porzadne-opony/
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association