Wet weather tyres are a great asset to your vehicle during the autumn and winter months and can improve your braking performance and traction on wet roads.
Unfortunately in the UK we are not known for our beautiful weather, and once we leave the summer behind we have to brace ourselves for months of wet, windy and cold weather. The past few years have seen record rainfall and plenty of snow and ice. Rain tyres are therefore something of an essential for anyone who drives regularly.
Wet weather provides some of the most dangerous driving conditions, from slippery roads to reduced visibility. Braking distance increases enormously in the wet, and your car needs to be able to grip the road effectively to keep you and your passengers safe.
Stopping distances can double on wet roads, and this can be made even more dangerous if your tyre tread depth is not adequate. The legal tread depth limit is 1.66mm, but tests have shown that when tread depth falls below 3mm stopping distances dramatically increase. Your grip and handling will also be affected, meaning your vehicle will be more susceptible to skids and aquaplaning, risking the lives of your and your passengers.
The reason rain tyres make such a difference is all in the way they are made. The tread pattern is moulded to quickly drain water from the surface of the tyre, increasing the grip and connection with the road. This reduces the risk of aquaplaning and skidding, and improves braking performance. Whether you have wet weather tyres or not, ensuring your tread depth is at least 3mm is important for driving on wet roads. The rubber that this type of tyre is made from is also important - special compounds help the car grip the road in wet and slippery conditions, and reduce the risk of skids.
For safe driving in wet conditions, you should always keep a good distance between you and the car in front. Count at least 2 seconds from when the vehicle in front passes a fixed landmark and keep that gap between your cars. This gives you adequate space and time to make decisions or brake if you need to in an emergency, and see what's up ahead more clearly. This is more important during wet weather as rain and spray from other cars can affect your visibility, especially in the dark.
If you feel your car skidding, or your steering is unresponsive, the best thing to do is slow down and ease off the accelerator. Steering into a skid can help to regain control when you have lost grip with the road.
Wet weather tyres are designed to provide excellent grip, handling, braking and safety for driving in the rain. The best time to change over to rain tyres is the autumn, though the last few summers have seen high rates of rainfall, too! Buying tyres can be expensive, but one way to help cut costs is to buy cheap tyres online from a mobile tyre fitting company. Many UK online tyre companies also stock wet weather tyres, and offer a mobile fitting service with delivery to you at home or at work. Buying online is also much cheaper than buying from a garage or service station, and you will be able to choose from a variety of premium and budget brands.
One final warning, however: it's best to avoid part-worn tyres as they are notoriously bad quality and often a false economy, wearing out even faster than a regular Cheap MOT Service Aldershot. The real danger is they may have come from a vehicle that has been in an accident, or stored in an environment that can affect their quality and durability. Damage inside cannot be seen, but a part-worn tyre can pose an enormous risk to the safety of your driving.
Prepare for the UK rainy season by choosing some cheap wet weather tyres online and drive your way through the autumn and winter safe in the knowledge that your tyres will keep you firmly on the road!
