As winter has arrived, ensuring your vehicle is equipped for the unique driving conditions becomes crucial, particularly when it comes to tyre safety. In Spain, winter weather can vary significantly, from chilly temperatures in the northern regions to unexpected rain and even snowfall in areas like the Pyrenees. Ensuring your tyres are in optimal condition not only safeguards your safety but also protects you from potential insurance complications. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining tyre safety in the winter season.
Why Tyre Safety is Essential in Winter
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Cold temperatures can cause tyres to lose pressure, affecting grip and handling. Wet, icy, or snowy roads increase the likelihood of skidding and accidents.
- Braking Distance: The ability to stop quickly is imperative in poor conditions. Worn or under-inflated tyres can increase braking distances, putting you and others at risk.
- Insurance Validity: If an accident occurs and your tyres do not meet the safety standards, you risk invalidating your insurance policy. Driving with inadequate tyres may lead to claims being denied.
How to Check Your Tyres
Performing regular checks on your tyres can drastically improve safety. Here’s a quick guide:
- Tread Depth: Use a tread depth gauge or a 1-euro coin. Insert the coin into the tread; if the outer golden edge is visible, your tread is too worn. Ideally, tread depth should be at least 3 mm for winter driving.
- Tyre Pressure: Check the manufacturer’s specifications (often found on the driver’s door frame) and use a reliable pressure gauge to ensure they are inflated correctly. Often, tyres lose pressure during cold weather.
- Visual Inspections: Look for uneven wear, cracks, or bulges. These can indicate problems that may lead to tyre failure.
- Age of Tyres: Tyres should not be used beyond their recommended lifespan, which is usually around 5-6 years, regardless of tread depth.
The Importance of Consistent Tread Across Axles
Maintaining the same tread depth across both axles is crucial for balanced handling and stability. Here’s why:
- Improved Control: Having tyres with similar tread depth ensures even performance, particularly during braking and cornering, which is vital on slippery surfaces.
- Safety: Uneven tread depths can lead to unpredictable steering, causing your vehicle to pull to one side, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Insurance Implications: Just as with tread depth across all tyres, inconsistent tread on the same axle may raise questions during an accident investigation. Insurers may consider this a contributing factor to a loss.
It only takes 10 minutes to check your vehicle´s tyres…
