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A driver\u2019s thinking distance can be influenced by a vehicle\u2019s speed, the clearness \u2013 or otherwise \u2013 of their visibility, tiredness, sobriety, and distractions. It\u2019s therefore reasonable to say that a sober, alert, undistracted driver with clear visibility will probably have quicker reaction times than someone who is weary, distracted, and under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while driving in rainy conditions.<\/p>\n
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Braking distance is influenced by vehicle speed, the weather, and tyres (including their condition, type and quality). It goes without saying that travelling at high speed \u2013 particularly in poor driving weather \u2013 will typically require a longer braking distance to come to a stop, compared to that of slower speeds on a clear, warm day. But despite all this, the tyres you have fitted to your car arguably play an even greater role.<\/p>\n
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With stopping distances, tyres seriously matter<\/h2>\n
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Your tyres make a huge contribution towards your stopping distances, particularly when it\u2019s raining, or snowing, and if the temperature is very low. The impact of these conditions on your ability to safely come to a full stop can be minimised or exacerbated by the condition and quality of your tyres. The type of tyres you have fitted to your vehicle plays a significant role too.<\/p>\n
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Good tyres typically mean shorter stopping distances<\/h3>\n
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The condition of your vehicle\u2019s tyres will determine your ability to brake effectively. Factors include tyre pressures<\/a><\/strong>, tyre damage<\/a><\/strong>, and tyre tread depth<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tread depth is important, since it relates to how much water can be cleared from the road. A deeper tread depth allows for more to be removed \u2013 quickly and efficiently. In contrast, tyres with a shallower tread depth struggle. This matters, because the rate of clearance dictates how much grip your tyres have. Less grip means longer stopping distances; greater grip equals shorter stopping distances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With this in mind, you might think that having deep tread depth would be mandatory, but \u2013 surprisingly \u2013 it\u2019s not. In the UK, the road legal minimum tread depth is just 1.6mm. That\u2019s not very much at all. Many tyre experts \u2013 including Asda Tyres, and premium tyre manufacturer, Continental<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 strongly suggest that your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth. This is because once tread depth gets below this figure, grip rapidly deteriorates, endangering drivers. Soon enough it\u2019s time to change tyres anyway, so why take the risk?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Furthermore, independent braking distance tests conclusively show \u2013 time and time again \u2013 that in wet weather it can take up to two full car lengths further to come to a stop with 1.6mm of tread, compared to tyres with 3mm. This is a significant distance, especially if you\u2019re driving at high speed, or if your visibility is poor. Two car lengths can easily be the difference between having a collision or avoiding one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that tyre tread depth is an important factor in determining your final stopping distance, but it isn\u2019t the only one\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s true \u2013 there are different tyres for different seasons. Comparatively speaking, not many UK drivers realise this, let alone why. In Britain, the overwhelming majority of drivers have \u2018summer tyres\u2019 fitted to their vehicles, all year round. It\u2019s why tyres like Continental\u2019s award winning PremiumContact\u2122 6<\/a> <\/strong>are so popular across many vehicle types, including SUVs and 4x4s. However, on the continent, when the weather begins to turn, and driving conditions start to deteriorate, many of our European cousins change to \u2018winter tyres\u2019, while we don\u2019t. But why?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simple. There\u2019s a misconception amongst the majority of UK drivers that winter tyres are only for driving in snowy conditions, and that \u2013 since, relatively speaking, we don\u2019t get that much snow in this country \u2013 there\u2019s no need to switch to them. This misses the point \u2013 and true value \u2013 of winter tyres. While it\u2019s true that they do perform significantly better than summer tyres in snowy conditions, it\u2019s not actually the main reason for fitting them. The true motivator is temperature<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Winter tyres easily surpass the performance of summer tyres, once the temperature gets down to 7\u00b0C and below. When it\u2019s this cold \u2013 and lower \u2013 in like-for-like comparisons, vehicles fitted with winter tyres achieve much shorter stopping distances, compared to those with summer tyres. Once again, independent research shows it can be up to two car lengths, and \u2013 as already addressed with tyre tread depth \u2013 that\u2019s a significant distance, right?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simple. It\u2019s all down to the compounds they\u2019re made from. Winter tyres are made from different combinations of materials, compared to those used for summer tyres. Each tyre\u2019s compound is specifically designed to perform optimally within their designated temperature range, making them specialists in their own season. A great example of this with winter tyres is Continental\u2019s award winning WinterContact\u2122 TS 860<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer tyre compounds become too hard at 7\u00b0C and below, and, as a result, offer much less suppleness and grip than winter tyres \u2013 which are specifically designed to thrive at these temperatures. Likewise, winter tyres \u2013 with their softer compounds \u2013 aren\u2019t optimised to deal with temperatures over 7\u00b0C, where, due to the warm conditions, they become too sticky and sluggish. This condition also leads to diminished rolling resistance, and that means drivers need to use more fuel \u2013 an unnecessary expense, right?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And what of the recently introduced all season tyre? As the name suggests, don\u2019t they offer the best of both worlds? Yes, and no. The process of creating a tyre is ultimately about finding a balance of all the essential characteristics drivers depend on \u2013 like performance, safety, comfort, and economy. There\u2019s no de facto solution, and as a result, different tyre manufacturers put different emphasis on each characteristic, often based on the vehicle segment and driver market they\u2019re aiming at. At the end of the day, manufacturers will decide on a bias towards one characteristic over another, and as a result this will have an impact on the optimisation of the others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ultimately, by definition, the all season tyre is a compromise on the qualities of both dedicated summer and dedicated winter tyres. While it offers a good spectrum of warm and cold temperature characteristics, all season tyres cannot match the optimal performance levels of their dedicated, specialist stablemates \u2013 including when it comes to delivering shorter stopping distances, in either summer or winter temperatures. That said, Continental\u2019s AllSeasonContact\u2122<\/a><\/strong> tyre delivers a good balance of summer and winter driving attributes, and is ideal for drivers who want a good tyre for all year usage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Speaking of compounds, whether in summer, winter or all season tyres, quality really matters. This combination of natural and man-made materials can be put together in an infinite amount of ways, and that means that not all compounds are the same. Typically, the compounds that you find in premium tyres \u2013 like those made by Continental \u2013 are much better than those used for cheaper, budget tyres. This is because premium tyre manufacturer\u2019s invest millions and millions every year in research and development<\/strong><\/a>, the result of which is a compound that provides an optimal performance at the temperatures it\u2019s been engineered for. As a result, in an exact like for like comparison, premium tyres will always deliver superior grip and performance. It\u2019s a reason why so many Continental tyres regularly win independent tests and awards<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As should now be clear, grip \u2013 achieved through high quality, seasonal tyres, in good condition \u2013 will noticeably reduce your stopping distances<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Asda Tyres, our aim is to ensure that you have the best tyres fitted to your vehicle. No matter if you drive a car, SUV, 4×4, van, or light commercial vehicle, if you\u2019re not sure about stopping distances, and the best way to help minimise yours, contact our experienced team of tyre professionals now. They\u2019ll provide you with impartial, expert advice, and offer you with the best fitting solution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nA different season demands a different tyre<\/h3>\n
Why do winter tyres perform so much better at 7\u00b0C and below?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nQuality matters \u2013 and can be decisive<\/h3>\n
Unsure about how to achieve shorter stopping distances? Talk to Asda Tyres<\/h2>\n