Tips to be safe in rainy weather?

You do not need our explanation of why driving can be more challenging in wet and rainy conditions, but did you also realise that your tyres have a significant impact? Because you will have less friction with the road when driving in rainy weather, worn tyres raise your chance of hydroplaning.

We apologise, but there is not much we can do to stop the rain, though we can make sure your Car Tyres Uxbridge are prepared for bad weather. For this reason, we are going to go over how to handle rainy rides with your tyres and what you can do to prepare your wheels for any kind of weather.

How should you inspect your tyres?

Unsettling fact: Did you know that 1 in 5 drivers have never checked their tyres?

In any weather condition, old and worn tyres can be hazardous, but during the darker nights and wetter months, it is even more crucial to pay attention to your tyre tread.

Here’s a simple checklist for inspecting your tyres: ACT. If you take care of all three of these, your understanding of the safety of your tyres should improve:

• Air Pressure:

Are your tyres too full or too empty in terms of air pressure? The appropriate tyre pressure for your car is typically located on the door jam, or you may use any convenient online tyre pressure checker just by entering your car’s registration number.

• Condition:

Are there any visible damage, lumps, or irregularities on the surface? Or are there any indications that the life of your tyres is almost over?

• Tread Depth:

The tread on your tyres, similar to the soles of your shoes, is what provides you with traction on the road. The legal minimum depth is 1.6mm, but you should be changing your tyres before they get that low to keep a safe grip.

If your tyres are losing traction on a wet road, how can you tell?

If you have never experienced hydroplaning, you might not even know what it is or how it feels. When a layer of water accumulates between your tyres and the road, it causes hydroplaning, which typically results in spinning.

But how do you know if your tyres are losing grip? A few warning indicators may appear before you spin:

• The steering wheel might feel lighter.
• The engine might suddenly get louder.
• The back end of your car might drift from side to side.

If your car does start to hydroplane, remain calm. Here’s what to do:

• Don’t brake suddenly; you’ll only spin more.
• Gently reduce your acceleration.
• Keep the steering wheel straight and wait for the car to regain control.
• Once you’ve got your grip back, you can gently begin to brake.

Stopping distances in rainy weather

The amount of time it can take for your car to stop in rainy weather is another item to be cautious of. Because of the reduced traction of your tyres, stopping distances can more than double on wet roads. Thus, it is critical to check the condition of your tyres, and there are steps you can take to increase the safety of your journeys.

• Since it will take twice as long to stop, you should be two times as far behind the car in front of you.
• Be extra aware of your surroundings rain or snow can make it harder to see potential hazards, so keep an eye out for anything that might cause you to press the brake pedal so you can be ready ahead of time.

To prepare for rainy weather, replace your tyres

Our top safety advice is to ensure your tyres Uxbridge are prepared as the weather shifts. One day or another, you will make a rainy weather trip, but maintaining the correct pressure in your tyres without any damage and an excellent grip, will majorly reduce the chance of an accident.

Time for replacements? The rainy months are the perfect time to switch to all-season tyres, also known as all-weather tyres. These specialised tyres are highly adaptable and designed to handle the weather conditions all year round. They are a great choice instead of winter tyres, as winter tyres suit the more extreme weather conditions. They have a deeper tread than summer tyres, providing a super-solid grip on the road and a much longer life for your car. There’s a tyre to suit every budget, and there are a range of financing options to make sure you don’t have to sacrifice safety on the road because of cost.

Conclusion

Now you might have a clear idea why it is important to switch tyres when the weather shifts. We have covered everything from how to check your tyres to how to know if your car is hydroplaning and what to do if it starts to hydroplane. Each year, illegal tyres result in over 2,500 rain-related car accidents, out of which 170 result in fatalities or catastrophic injuries. Not only that, but illegal tyres can end up costing you more than the price of a new set: you could face fines of up to £2500 and 3 points on your licence per illegal tyre, not to mention that if you're found to have illegal tyres in an accident, it can invalidate your insurance.