Tips & Advice for Car, SUV & Van tyres

 

It's the tyres that stop the car.

When it comes to safety, tyres are among the most important components of your vehicle.
The brakes stop the wheels, not your car! It's actually your tyres that stop it.

Let's take a closer look; where rubber meets road:

car edito infographic areaofcontact tips and advice

The contact patch is the size of the palm of your hand.

And this is where it all happens:
braking, traction, handling, steering, comfort.
On such a small area, a failure at high speed could have serious consequences.

Your safety also depends on you.

You spent time choosing your car.
Taking time to choose your tyres is just as important.

car edito infographic bikeb tips and advice

We can all recall stressful situations when our tyres made the difference:

Think of that bike that came out of nowhere.

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That driver in front of you suddenly braking.
That dog crossing the street.

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That difficult drive in heavy rain.

Your safety does not just depend on the way you or others are driving.

It depends equally on your choice of tyres.
For your peace of mind (and your family’s), take the time to choose well!

 

But what tyres do I need?

To help you compare and choose, let’s look at 4 different aspects:

1. Safety

Most tyres perform well in everyday situations, but difficult conditions reveal their differences.

So how do you make sure that your tyres are ready for the unexpected?

Choose tyres that can perform well in the worst types of weather or roads that you may encounter.
The difference can be huge:
On wet roads, our tyres can stop up to 6 metres shorter than another premium tyre brand on exactly the same car. That is almost the length of one and a half cars!

Based on internal wet braking test results of MICHELIN Primacy 3ST and Bridgestone Ecopia EP100a Touring tyre size 205/55R16.

Not all tyres are equal – choosing the right ones can keep you safe.

car edito safety tips and advice
car edito value tips and advice

2. Value

Compromising now might mean spending more later. Why? Because tyres that last longer can help you save fuel, and save you money in the long run.

Get more efficient tyres now, replace them much later!

3. Enjoy the drive

Just like a shoe, a tyre needs to fit perfectly.

  1. Take any car
  2. Try a different set of tyres

You end up with an entirely different driving experience.

So, do you prefer a comfortable drive or precision handling to take that corner like a pro?

Make sure that your tyre reflects your style.

car edito enjoytheride tips and advice
car edito safedriving performance tips and advice

4. Sports Car?

A sprinter doesn't want to run in slippers.
Neither does your car.


A sports or luxury car won’t feel like one unless the tyres can translate its power to the road.

Keep Your Tyres Safe

Most of us know something about safe driving.
But what about keeping tyres safe?
A few simple things can help to avoid unfortunate experiences.

Why is it important?

car edito help me to save tips and advice

It will help you to save

  • Checking tyre pressure and performing regular tyre maintenance such as rotation, alignment and inspections can help you to save money.

It can extend the life of your tyres so you don’t have to buy as often

Simple things like checking your tyre pressure to make sure that they are properly inflated can make a real difference to how long your tyres last. Under- or over-inflated tyres don’t wear evenly and won’t last as long. For example, a tyre that is consistently 20% under-inflated can last 20% less.

This means that a tyre that should last 25,000 miles would be worn out by 20,000 miles. Also, as the front and rear axles and right and left sides of your car wear down your tyres differently, rotating your tyres regularly between the different positions will ensure that they wear evenly and last longer.

It can save you money on fuel

  • Under-inflated tyres are one of the biggest causes of using excess fuel.
  • Under-inflated tyres have higher rolling resistance, which means that it takes more effort from the engine to move your vehicle.
car edito ensure your safety tips and advice

It ensures your safety

Your tyres are the only point of contact your vehicle has with the road – they need to be in good working condition at all times to ensure your safety. To help avoid problems, follow these important care tips:

  • Inspect your tyres:

You may not always notice if one of your tyres has been damaged. Inspect your tyres regularly for wear and damage to avoid any sudden problems. Have a professional inspect your tyres every year, prehaps during your MOT.

  • Check tyre pressure:

Driving with incorrect tyre pressures can affect a vehicle’s handling and braking, particularly in wet conditions, and can seriously compromise your safety. Driving on severely under-inflated tyres can cause heat build-up and eventually a blow-out. Check your tyre pressure monthly and before every long trip.

  • Follow load capacity instructions:

Do not exceed the load capacity relative to the tyre’s load index. Tyres loaded beyond their maximum can build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre failure.

  • Driving at high speed* can damage your tyres:

At higher speeds, tyres have a greater chance of being damaged by road hazards or heat build-up. High speeds can also contribute to rapid air loss or even a sudden tyre explosion, which can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Use your spare tyre!

If you see any damage to a tyre or wheel, replace it with your spare tyre and have your tyre checked by a professional.

* Exceeding the safe, legal speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.

car edito tirebalance tips and advice

Tyre balancing: what should I know?

What is it?

  • When tyres are mounted, the weight distribution of the tyre and wheel assembly is sometimes uneven around the tyre.
  • A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. The result is bouncing or wobbling, which can decrease tread life, increase vibration and cause stress on your vehicle.
  • Tyre balancing compensates for the weight differences to make sure the tyre weight is balanced. Tyre professionals will add weights where necessary to counterbalance the tyres.

 

When should I balance my tyres?

  • When a tyre is replaced
  • When a balance weight is moved or removed
  • When you buy new tyres

 

How are wheels balanced?

  1. To balance a wheel, your mechanic uses a balancing machine to determine where the heavy spots are.
  2. Weights are then attached to the exterior or interior of the wheel to counteract the centrifugal forces acting on the heavy areas when the wheel is turning.

 

Any advice?

If you ever feel bouncing, wobbling or vibrations, consult a tyre professional quickly.


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