Technical condition of winter tires

The weather outside the window does not portend a sudden winter. The mixture of colorful Polish autumn with flashes of spring sun does not provoke drivers to think about changing tires to winter ones. However, like every year, we, like the road builders, are surprised by sudden temperature changes and snowfalls. Unfortunately, then most often we are doomed to a long and tedious waiting in line at the car repair shop to change tires.

Polish drivers are increasingly aware of the benefits of replacing summer tires with winter ones. However, no everyone understands that tires must be in good condition if they are to be useful. However, it is not easy to determine for yourself whether the tires are still fit for use. The tread depth is usually taken into account, and if it is more than 1,6 mm, we believe that the tires can still serve us. However, automotive experts claim that tire performance drops sharply at depths below 4mm.

Car tire - a product for special tasks

Contrary to appearances, the tire is a very complex and technologically advanced product. It is the only vehicle element that has direct contact with the road surface and fulfills a number of technical assumptions of the vehicle manufacturer. It is responsible for acceleration and braking, traction control, noise levels and compliance with exhaust emission regulations. Bearing in mind the fact that the contact of one tire with the surface is no larger than the surface of an adult's hand, we must remember that their technical condition cannot be overestimated. Any negligence, both operational and service, reduces the level of driving safety and can lead to serious consequences.

“Any mechanical damage to a tyre, in principle, entails irreversible changes in its structure and, consequently, in driving performance. Repairing tires with high speed indexes after being punctured with a sharp object, such as a nail, should be considered as an emergency solution,” says Jan Fronczak, Motointegrator.pl expert.

Mechanical cutting of the umbilical cord, a symptom of which is, among other things. lateral protrusion can also be caused by a sudden collision with a protruding obstacle, a curb or an entry into a hole in the road, which is quite enough in Poland. Worse still, the symptoms of such a serious defect can show up on the inside of the tire, unnoticed by drivers. That is why it is very important to regularly undergo technical inspection at a specialized service center.

Good service is key

Along with the dynamic development of the automotive industry, the technological development of tires and complete wheelsets goes hand in hand. Therefore, it is increasingly becoming insufficient to maintain tires at home, in small vulcanization points that are not equipped with professional tools. The qualifications of the mechanics are also important.

“One of the most serious maintenance mistakes is releasing a damaged tire from traffic after a loss of pressure, which causes delamination, warping and cracking. Another neglect is damage to the tire bead, which is responsible for a proper fit in the rim for optimal performance and sealing. Such damage should deprive the tire of the possibility of further use,” says Jan Fronczak, Motointegrator.pl expert.

Things get even more complicated when integrated wheel systems including rim, tire and pressure regulator require service. Their work on devices that are not adapted to this most often leads to damage to individual elements of the entire system. As a result, this can lead to a sudden loss of tire pressure and, as a result, loss of control over the vehicle.

It also happens that mechanics underestimate a seemingly insignificant valve, and this is the element responsible for maintaining the desired pressure in the wheel. In addition, when moving, it is subjected to high loads, which constantly weaken it. A damaged valve causes a sudden loss of pressure, often leading to catastrophic vehicle behavior. An integral part of the rims also requires careful handling. The correct and, therefore, safe operation of tires directly depends on the technical condition of the disks.