<\/p>\n
Your tyre pressures really matter<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Ensuring that you have the correct tyre pressures will not only keep you safer on the road, it will also help to minimise tyre wear, and reduce the amount of fuel you consume. The right holiday tyre pressures<\/a><\/strong> can get your trip off to a great start \u2013 and it\u2019s easy to achieve.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In most passenger vehicles, you\u2019ll find the tyre pressure values either printed on the inside of its fuel cap, or inside the driver door. One of these values will be for everyday \u2018unladen\u2019 driving. Your tyres should already be at the pressures indicated. The second value is for heavier loads \u2013 just like when your vehicle is weighed down with holiday luggage and leisure gear. This is the pressure your tyres need to be at if your car is laden.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Asda Tyres, our experience suggests that the ideal time to check your pressures<\/strong><\/a> is while the tyres are still cold \u2013 in other words, before you set off on your journey, or just after. If the latter, you can simply pull into the nearest local garage, and use the forecourt facilities. Most only charge an nominal fee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To check your pressures, all you have to do is unscrew the tyre dust cap, and attach the air hose. That\u2019s it. The hose will automatically measure your pressures, so you\u2019ll instantly know whether your tyres are under or over inflated. Then, whichever yours are, simply top up or release air, until the pressures are correct for all wheels at the laden weight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If tyres are under inflated, they won\u2019t achieve their optimum shape. That\u2019s because they\u2019ll be too flat at the bottom \u2013 with an enlarged contact patch. If the patch is too big, expect higher fuel consumption (and the commensurate additional expense) as well as uneven wear at the tyre edges. You can also expect the vehicle\u2019s handling to feel noticeably sluggish. This can result in a lack of responsiveness, or worse still, a loss of control. If you\u2019re travelling at high speed along a motorway in a laden vehicle, this can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having under inflated tyres also has a negative impact on the time it till take you to come to a safe stop when braking \u2013 and this means longer stopping distances<\/a><\/strong>. This is especially the case in wet weather conditions. And while (at the time of writing) it\u2019s very hot and sunny in the UK, we all know from experience that a little rainfall in this country can never be ruled out, right?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally, it\u2019s important to know that softer, under inflated tyres are vulnerable to damage from sharp objects. Driving over glass, sharp stones, or metal can easily puncture a tyre, or gash the compound \u2013 increasing the likelihood of tyre failure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just like when tyres are under inflated, if they\u2019re over inflated they\u2019ll incur uneven tyre wear, but in this case along the central length of the tyre. This is particularly problematic, since it is this area of the tyre that provides drivers with the most grip \u2013 and just when you need it most.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over inflated tyres suffer from having a noticeably smaller contact patch with the road. As a result, there\u2019s less grip, and, again \u2013 as with under inflation \u2013 this can be especially dangerous when the road is wet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tyre damage is also commonplace from sudden impacts and bumps, like those encountered with potholes, and kerbs. Why? Because over inflation results in the tyre being much too rigid. The lack of flexibility means the tyre can struggle to absorb shocks, and this can result in a blow-out \u2013 especially at high speeds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to make sure that your fifth \u2018spare\u2019 tyre is also inflated correctly, because you don\u2019t know when you may need to fit it. Also, having reached your destination and unloaded the car, if you\u2019re planning on doing excursions \u2013 such as driving to a nearby beach, or local place of interest \u2013 remember to reduce your tyre pressures down to the unladen value \u2013 and, of course, back up again, before you fully set off on your return home. As such, it\u2019s worth noting where the nearest local petrol station or garage is.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As previously touched on, one of the issues arising from incorrectly inflated tyres is the likelihood of uneven tyre wear. This presents two problems for motorists, since it is this wear \u2013 uneven or otherwise \u2013 that reduces tyre tread depth. Your treads are the grooves that run along the length of your tyre, and which are vital for providing grip, since they\u2019re essential for dispersing water from wet roads. Without sufficient tyre tread depth, you may not have the necessary grip you need \u2013 particularly dangerous for a laden vehicle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you buy brand new tyres from Asda Tyres, they typically come with a full 8mm of tread. This tread depth, in combination with the superior rubber compounds of a premium tyre \u2013 such as that used for the award winning ContiPremiumContact\u2122 5<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 offers drivers superb, optimal grip, especially on wet road surfaces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In an exact like for like driving comparison, it\u2019s been shown that premium tyres wear down much slower than cheaper budget tyres, thanks to their higher quality compounds. However, over time, through normal usage, all tyres gradually wear down, and this results in a reduction of tread depth \u2013 and that means less grip.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While the UK road legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, many tyre and road safety experts \u2013 including Asda Tyres, Continental, and TyreSafe<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 believe that you should change your tyres when the tread is down to just 3mm. Why? Because independent braking tests in wet weather conditions clearly prove that stopping distances are greatly increased when tread is down to 1.6mm, compared to 3mm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How far? Independent research shows it can be up to twice as far to come to a safe, full stop. On a fast moving motorway, with a fully laden car, it doesn\u2019t bear thinking about, right? Without sufficient tread depth \u2013 and less grip \u2013 the probability of aquaplaning is significantly increased \u2013 as is the chance of experiencing an accident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve already got a tyre tread depth gauge, that\u2019s great. It makes sense to keep one with your car. If you haven\u2019t, they\u2019re easily available to purchase, but an alternative is the \u201c20p Test\u201d<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s based on the depth of the outside band of the coin. Simply place the 20p piece into the long grooves that run along the length of your tyre. If the coin\u2019s outer band is completely obscured, you can be confident that your tread is above the UK legal road minimum. However, if you can still see the top of the band, your tyres are likely to be illegal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s vital that you don\u2019t drive with illegal tyres. Not only is it dangerous \u2013 for you, your passengers, and other road users \u2013 but it’s also potentially very expensive. If the police stop you and find you\u2019ve got one or more illegal tyres fitted, you\u2019ll incur a fine of \u00a32,500, and 3 penalty points for EACH tyre. It\u2019s not a great way to begin or end your holiday, so don\u2019t risk it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019re also likely to have to pay a fine, and take penalty points on your licence, if your tyres are found to be damaged<\/strong><\/a>. Again, as with illegal tread depth, you\u2019re also jeapardising your driver safety. If you\u2019re undertaking a long journey to and from your holiday destination, your chances of both are increased.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And remember, with a heavily laden vehicle, or if you\u2019re towing a caravan<\/a>,<\/strong> much more stress will be placed on your tyres, further increasing the chance of tyre failure. You don\u2019t want to ruin your holiday with an accident, do you, so minimise the chances of tyre damage by making yourself aware of what to look out for, and how to avoid it in the first place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sidewalls absorb the majority of the punishing stresses and forces that your tyres endure, day in day out. And just as with treads, it\u2019s really important to maintain them, ensuring sidewall integrity. If you don\u2019t, your tyres won\u2019t perform optimally, and you run the risk of tyre failure. Pressures play a significant role in optimising the tyre and maintaining sidewalls, but there are many other considerations you need to be aware of.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Regular tyre inspections, as well as checking before you set off on your holiday, will help allow you spot any problematic tears, cuts, nicks, bubbles or bulges in the tyre sidewall. Look carefully, because if you do find any of the above, there\u2019s a strong chance of damage to the tyre\u2019s structure \u2013 and that\u2019s dangerous, since the risk of a tyre blowout is increased.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And if you suffer a blowout at high speed \u2013 such as when travelling on a motorway \u2013 the consequences are more than likely to be catastrophic \u2013 for you, your passengers, and your fellow motorists.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So if you spot any of this kind of tyre damage, it\u2019s vital that you get it checked by an expert immediately, and if necessary have the tyre(s) replaced. Whatever you do, don\u2019t just set off on your journey. It\u2019s simply not worth taking the risk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n While we know that it\u2019s not always possible, if you can avoid the following you\u2019ll significantly reduce the chances of tyre sidewall damage:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roadside kerbs<\/strong> <\/p>\n Potholes<\/strong> <\/p>\n Under and over inflated tyres<\/strong> <\/p>\n Oil and dirty water<\/strong> <\/p>\n Glass, nails, and other sharp objects<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And, of course, any contact with a sharp object can also result in a puncture. Travelling at any reasonable speed (let alone driving quickly) often makes debris hard to detect on the road, with it only becoming known once contact has already been made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shards of glass, or metal fragments, and stones, can easily become embedded within your tyres, either lodged in the tread or, worse still, having pressed into the rubber compound. All have been known to do serious damage to tyres, with a puncture likely to result.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inspecting your tyres before you set off on your holiday will allow you to identify any embedded objects. If you find one, carefully prise it away with a set of pliers. Doing so should nip the problem in the bud, before it becomes more serious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n While all debris on the road is best avoided, the everyday reality is that there\u2019s often nothing drivers can do to safeguard against contact. Punctures may be a fact of life that we never want to experience \u2013 especially when we\u2019re on the way to our holiday destination, or returning home \u2013 but there is a way of minimising their subsequent influence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Continental\u2019s superb ContiSeal<\/strong>\u2122<\/strong><\/a> technology immediately negates the consequences of sustaining a puncture \u2013 such as having to stop on the roadside and change a tyre. Their highly regarded, popular extended mobility solution automatically seals any damage (up to 5mm in diameter) from inside the tyre. This stops the air flowing out, and maintains the ability to continue driving. There\u2019s no need for an immediate roadside tyre change, which \u2013 as anyone who has had to do so will know \u2013 can be a very difficult and frightening experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And there\u2019s an additional benefit for holiday makers with a heavily laden car. With tyres employing ContiSeal\u2122 technology you won\u2019t have to unload your luggage and holiday gear to get to your spare tyre (typically housed in a recess situated beneath the floor of the boot). As if changing a tyre by the roadside wasn\u2019t bad enough, imagine having to do unload everything while stopped on the hard shoulder of a fast moving motorway, or pressed against an incline along the side of a narrow country lane \u2013 possibly in the dark. It really doesn\u2019t bear thinking about, does it?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ContiSeal\u2122 is just one of Continental\u2019s many invaluable tyre safety and comfort technologies, all of which are ideal for UK drivers undertaking long distance travel by road to their holiday destination. You can these technologies across many products in their premium tyre range, including the ContiSportContact\u2122<\/strong> 5<\/a>, the ContiSportContact\u2122<\/strong> 5 SUV<\/a>, and the ContiEcoContact\u2122<\/strong> 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Continental\u2019s priority is always driver safety, driver comfort is important, too. Ensuring that their tyres bring out the optimum handling and ride comfort characteristics of a car vital, and it\u2019s something Continental achieve with ease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That\u2019s why almost one in three new passenger cars that roll off the production lines of Europe are fitted with their \u201cOE\u201d \u2013 Original<\/strong> Equipment<\/a>. This dedication to delivering the best driving experience is also achieved through their ContiSilent\u2122<\/a><\/strong> noise-reducing technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ContiSilent\u2122 technology is popular with UK drivers because it\u2019s designed to reduce interior cabin noise generated from road surfaces \u2013 in all weather conditions. Better still. there\u2019s no compromise when it comes to driving performance characteristics, or any change in mileage and load\/speed capability. Tyres that employ the technology offer reduced cabin noise thanks to an inner absorber \u2013 made from polyurethane foam \u2013 which is attached to the inside surface of the tyre tread area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And so effective is ContiSilent\u2122 that many of the world\u2019s leading car makers have approached Continental for this solution, since cabin noise is a common problem for many vehicles. ContiSilent\u2122 is currently available with many summer tyres, and are compatible with all commonly sized wheel rims. You\u2019ll find the technology in Continental\u2019s latest high performance SportContact\u2122<\/strong> 6<\/a> premium tyre.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_inflation_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIf your tyres are under inflated, you\u2019ll encounter problems<\/h3>\n
Beware of problems from over inflated tyres too<\/h3>\n
Count them all \u2013 five tyres, not four<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_tread_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHaving good tread depth could save your life<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_aquaplaning_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_20p_test_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIt\u2019s easy to check your tyre tread depth<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_damage_montage_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTyre damage is also costly \u2013 and dangerous<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_sidewall_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTyre sidewalls are tough, but they still need protecting<\/h2>\n
Top tips for helping to avoid tyre damage<\/h3>\n
\nIf you scuff your tyres it can lead to long-term tyre problems.<\/p>\n
\nBangs and scrapes with potholes can seriously damage your tyres.<\/p>\n
\nIncorrect inflation puts additional, unnecessary stress on your sidewalls.<\/p>\n
\nClean off any spilled petrol, oil or dirty water from your tyres with a little water and washing up liquid \u2013 otherwise prolonged exposure to solvents and oils softens the rubber.<\/p>\n
\nTears, cuts and nicks can appear on sidewalls through contact with sharp objects. Over time, what appears as minor damage can escalate to something more serious, often resulting in tyre blowout.<\/p>\nReduce the chances of having a puncture<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_contiseal_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nContiSeal\u2122 \u2013 negating the influence of a puncture<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_contisilent_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nContiSilent\u2122 \u2013 for a safer, quieter driving experience<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asdatyres.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pre-holiday_tyre_check_laden_article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n