Ake Control of Your Winter Driving: Tips for Checking Tyre Readiness

Driving in cold weather can be challenging, especially if your Bridgestone Tyres Manchester are not prepared for the conditions. When driving, vision is most noticeably reduced when there is cold temperature and snow. The one thing that you can't avoid doing is scraping your vehicle's windscreen and rear glass. Alterations in the ambient temperature will also affect the pressure in your tyres. Those vehicles that spend the night parked outdoors are at a greater risk than those that are in a garage. However, cold impacts all automobiles, including those that have just purchased brand-new tyres. In this article, we will discuss how to check your tyres for cold weather readiness to ensure safe and smooth driving during the winter months.

Check Tyre Pressure

Cold weather can cause a drop in tyre pressure, which can affect your tyre's performance and fuel efficiency. Use a tyre pressure gauge to check the pressure of all four tyres, including the spare, and inflate them to the manufacturer's recommended levels.

Inspect Tread Depth

Tread depth is crucial for winter driving as it helps to maintain traction on snow and ice-covered roads. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, but experts recommend at least 3mm for winter driving. Use a tread depth gauge to measure the depth of your tyre treads. Replace your tyres if the tread depth is below the recommended level.

Look for Signs of Damage

Inspect your tyres for any signs of damage such as cracks, cuts, bulges or punctures. These can weaken the tyre's structure and increase the risk of a blowout or flat tyre. Replace any damaged tyres before driving in cold weather conditions.

Check Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment affects the handling, stability and wear of your tyres. Misaligned wheels can cause your tyres to wear unevenly and decrease their lifespan. Check your wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary to ensure even wear and a smooth ride.

Assess Tyre Age

Tyres age over time, even if they are not used frequently. The rubber can dry out and crack, reducing the tyre's ability to grip the road. Check the sidewall of your tyres for the manufacturing date. A four-digit code indicates this. The last two digits represent the year. If your tyres are more than six years old, it is advisable to replace them.

What is a TPMS?

Because of the decreasing temperatures, the amount of pressure in your tyres will decrease. It might trigger your Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) if there is a sudden decrease in temperature. If any of your tyres have insufficient air pressure, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will sound an alarm. Because of this, driving your automobile may become hazardous.

Yellow is the typical colour for the TPMS emblem used in most automobiles. On the screen, it appears as the cross-section of a tyre with an exclamation mark next to it. Tyre pressure monitors are standard on all newer models of automobiles. These monitors are a part of each wheel and provide a continuous reading of the tyre's inflation level.

If the TPMS light comes on in your vehicle, either you or an auto repair facility ought to verify the pressure in your tyres. When you drive with under-inflated tyres, your fuel economy suffers. This causes the tyres to wear down faster. It also raises the risk of risky driving situations, such as poor control of the car or a tyre blowout. The appropriate level of inflation might vary from vehicle to vehicle. On the other hand, the owner's handbook that came with your vehicle ought to show a suggested cold tyre inflation Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) rate.

How to Determine Whether Your Vehicle Is Safe for Driving in Frigid Settings

The pressure in a tyre will shift by about 1-2 pounds per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit in which the air temperature changes. Checking the pressure in your tyres once a month can keep the TPMS warning light from turning on. Check the pressure in all four tyres to ensure they are at the level recommended in the owner's handbook. If you are unable to locate the owner's handbook for your vehicle, you may be able to locate the suggested PSI on a sticker that is on the door frame of the driver's side door, on the interior of the glove box, within of the gas cover, or the bottom of the trunk lid. These locations are all located within the vehicle.

Remember that after leaving your automobile parked for a while, the PSI will drop. When you drive your vehicle, friction occurs, which contributes to a modest increase in temperature at the tyre. The tyre's internal pressure will therefore rise as a result of this. The figures of PSI that are in your vehicle's owner's handbook are for when the tyres are cold. Therefore, you must monitor your PSI either first thing in the morning when possible. Or at the very least monitor it three hours after you have left your vehicle parked.

Checking your Tyres Manchester for cold weather readiness is essential for safe and comfortable driving during the winter months. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your tyres are in good condition and prepared to handle the challenges of winter driving. Regular tyre maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your tyres and improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Remember, your tyres are the only part of your vehicle that comes into contact with the road. So, it's essential to keep them in good condition all year round.