It's time to change tires
For now, we still have frosts and from time to time we are frightened by the last snowfall, but the more and more operating sun makes us think about spring. With her, it will also be time to change tires.
For now, we still have frosts and from time to time we are frightened by the last snowfall, but the more and more operating sun makes us think about spring. With her, it will also be time to change tires.
We are changing winter tires because, apart from the difference in tread compared to summer tires, they have a different rubber composition. The rubber in winter tires is softer to make driving on snow easier and the car more grippy to the road. And in summer tires, the most important factor is the ability to drain water between the road and wheels - explains Marek Godzieszka, Auto-Boss technical director.
By the way, it is worth paying attention to whether the tires used so far are still fit for use. first of all, you need to check the tread depth, which must be at least 1,6 mm. You don't have to play with the ruler. The tires have special beads in the tread. If they are in line with the tire, the tread is already too shallow.
The most important element in caring for tires is to maintain the proper pressure in the tires. Under-inflated tires reduce safety, worsening grip, but most of all, limiting the possibility of water drainage from under the wheels.
The water cushion remaining under the tire promotes skidding and extends the braking distance. The car is also less stable when cornering.
On the other hand, too low pressure causes the tires to wear very quickly. According to the manufacturers' data, tires operated with insufficient pressure wear three times faster than properly inflated tires.
If the pressure is too low, the fuel consumption increases as well, because the rolling resistance and thus the energy demand are greater. According to research, the reduction of tire pressure by 20 percent. reduces the car's range by 30%.
planing
Underinflated tires are less able to remove water from under the wheels
The pictures on the right show the effect of pressure on the ability to displace water from under the wheels.
The top photo shows a correctly inflated tire. You can compare the behavior of a tire with a pressure of 1 bar and a tire with a pressure of 1,5 bar under the same conditions.
A water cushion under the tire is very dangerous because it significantly increases the risk of skidding.
