Tire Operation: Helpful Tips

What is the difference between winter and summer tires?

Did you know that  a car with summer tires traveling at a speed of 50 km/h on a snow-covered road requires 43 meters for a complete stop. When driving on winter tires, this distance is reduced to 35 meters - by as much as 7 meters less. This is because the summer tires do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road at temperatures below 7 ° C. Thanks to the use of a special rubber compound and a more rigid and, as a rule, a deep protector with additional slots, winter tires provide better grip on the road surface.

Suitable tires- the guarantee of security all year round

According to statistics, in winter the risk of an accident is 6 times higher than in the summer. Moreover: in the event of an accident, insurance companies often assign part of the fault of accident to the driver of the car, on which the appropriate tires (specified in the specification) are not fitted. Therefore, before you get into the car, always evaluate the weather conditions by making a replacement for winter tires on time.

How important is the correct tire pressure?

Not only tires take on the weight of the car, the air in them also plays an important role. If the tire pressure is too low, the safety risk increases with each trip:

1.The path of inhibition is unreasonably long.

2.There is an increased risk of tire damage due to excessive heat generation.

3.Due to increased rolling resistance, fuel consumption is increasing.

How to properly clean the tires?

Do you use a high-pressure cleaner? If yes, to the cleaning the tires with it's help should be approached with extreme caution. A directional jet of hot water used at a short distance can cause significant damage, as the pressure exerted by its action leads to an increase in the temperature of the tire material and the formation of small bubbles in the rubber, adversely affecting its quality. Possible consequences: sudden explosion of the tire at high load or at high speed.

Important aspects of tire cleaning:

1. The distance between the tire and the end of the gun should be at least 20 cm.

2. Instead of directional use a wide jet.
3. Even in the presence of indelible dirt, never direct the jet to a single point, instead always move it from side to side.

When is needful to change the tires? 

There are three important factors to consider: the age of the tires, the depth of the tread and possible damage. Do not forget that the minimum legal depth of the tread is 1.6 mm. Recommendations: replacement of summer tires should be done when  the depth of the tread reducing to 3 mm; In the case of winter tires, the minimum permissible tread depth is 4 mm. If the age of the tires is more than 10 years, they must be replaced, even if the depth of their tread is still acceptable. The age of the tire can be calculated by looking at the four-digit DOT number printed on it. The last two digits indicate the year, and the first two indicate the production week.

Recommendations on the verification procedure:

For summer wheels: insert a coin  2 ruble by the side where the number "2" begins, in the slot,  where the protector has the smallest depth. If the upper part of the digit is visible completely, the tire needs replacement.

How to properly store tires?

Winter has come and you again do not know what to do with summer tires? A possible way to solve the problem is to take them to storage at the service station. We will be happy to answer any questions regarding year-round tire maintenance. If you intend to store tires at home, it is important to consider the following points:

1. Ideal conditions for storage of tires - a dry, dark, cool and moderately ventilated room.

2. Tires can be suspended, stacked on a rack or laid horizontally.

3. Tires without rim are always kept standing.

Source:  www.boschcarservice.com