When any road mishap happens the first lifesaver of your vehicle is your tyres and the road, making them a critical part of your safety, performance and comfort. Yet, many myths and misconceptions about Continental tyres Coventry can lead to poor decisions and end up in dangerous situations on the road.
In this blog post, we will bust some of the most common tyre myths to help you ensure your safety while driving, letting you get the most out of your tyres.
Myth: “All-Season Tyres Are Suitable for Every Season”
Many people think that all-season tyres can be used year-round but that’s not true. While they do provide good performance in different conditions, that does not mean they are best suited for extreme winter or summer conditions.
Understanding the limitations of all-season tyres can help you safer decisions based on your local climate. We recommend you choose the tyres according to your local weather conditions to get the best performance possible.
Knowing when it is the right time to replace your car tyres is important for your safety when driving. When using all-season tyres, consider swapping them with seasonal tyres once the temperature fluctuates above or below 7°C, or if you expect icy and snowy conditions later on. Get back to all-season tyres in mild seasons when the threat of winter weather is gone.
For summer tyres, do the opposite and change to these when the daily average temperature stays above 7°C. It’s best to make this transition before the peak of summer heat for optimal performance.This is the best way to understand when you should change your current tyres with different season tyres.
Myth: “There is No Legal Tyre Tread Depth Limit”
There is a common misconception that the depth of tyre treads is not necessary. However,the amount of tread depth left on your tyres can make a big difference in the ability to grip the road, especially in wet and slippery conditions.
The grooves are made to drain the excess water away from the contact patch in the tread, reducing the risk of aquaplaning in wet conditions and dry conditions. The tread grips the road allowing your vehicle to maintain control even at high speed.
If you want to check if your tyres come under the legal tread depth limit then use a 20p coin. Simply place the 20p coin into the tread, and make sure the outer band of the coin is in the groove.
If the outer band is still visible, it is not safe to use and you need to replace it. The test is quick and simple to do to ensure your safety before going out on the road, and if your tyres fail, we recommend replacing them as soon as possible.
Myth: “New Tyres Must Use on the Front Wheels”
A common myth among drivers is that when replacing tyres, fresh ones should always be fitted on the vehicle's front wheels. The older one behind this myth is that the front tyres are more important in steering and handling, so the fresh tyres should be installed for better control. But, this myth shows tyre positioning and might cause a safety concern.
It is dependent on whether your vehicle is front, rear, all-wheel, or four-wheel drive. For example, new Tyres Coventry should be installed on the front in the front-wheel drive vehicle and that vehicle that is rear-wheel drive must be placed on the back.
To avoid any wheel alignment issues, we recommend that all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles should have all four tyres replaced at the same time
Myth: “The Recommended Tyre Pressure Is Not Necessary”
One of the most dangerous myths about tyres is that the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressure levels are only suggestions. Some drivers believe they may safely ignore these suggestions, assuming that a little underinflation or overinflation won't make a difference.
But nothing could be farther from the truth. In actuality, knowing your tyre pressure is more important than ever for your safety, fuel efficiency, and the longevity of your tyres.
The recommended tyre pressure for your car is often found on a label inside the driver's side door, in the glove compartment, or in the owner's handbook. The recommended tyre pressure is unique to your vehicle's make and model.
Myth: “Tyres Don’t Have an Expire Date”
The final myth we are going to bust is often talked about among drivers, it’s the belief that tyres do not have an expiration date. Some drivers assume that tyres, being made of rubber and sturdy can be used as long as you want without any safety issues.
This myth is dangerous and has serious consequences as tyres have their own limited lifespan. It’s extremely important to know when your tyres expiry date has come to ensure you can replace them because they do expire.
In general, tyres normally have a service life of 6 to 10 years from the date they were manufactured. However, depending on different factors such as storage conditions or rubber composition can make a difference in expiration date.
You can find most of the tyre information on the sidewall of the tyre such as the age which is mentioned in the four-digit cost, the first two being the week of the year, and the last two being the year itself. Use to know if your tyres still have some life or need replacement.
It is not safe to use expired or damaged tyres on the road, as they can lead to many safety risks. But, there are environmentally responsible ways to dispose of the tyres. There are many recycling centres and retailers take old tyres for proper disposal or recycling.