tyres – Walsall Wood Service

Stop! – Five things which can affect your stopping distance

Car Safety, Tyres, Vans, Cars, law, Brakes

The stopping distance in a moving vehicle is something that should always be kept in the mind of any capable driver. Stopping distance is the distance it takes the vehicle to come to a complete stop once the breaks have been applied. It goes without saying that knowing this value could save a person’s life, or at least provide the driver with the ability to prevent future accidents.

While it is possible to know the stopping distance with perfect parameters, many other factors can impact the stopping distance and should always be taken into consideration. The list below provides five of these possible factors and how to avoid their influence when driving.

Speed
Speed is an extremely influential parameter when considering stopping distances. The faster the vehicle is travelling the longer it will take for the vehicle to stop, simple. In a majority of collisions on UK roads, driver fault and the use of excessive speed have been to blame. Always regulate your speed and drive within the legal speed limit.

Weather conditions
The weather can be unpredictable but your stopping distance doesn’t have to be! Poor weather conditions heavily influence the manner in which a vehicle behaves and this is something which competent drivers should always be prepared for. Switching tyres dependant on the seasons and allowing for a much higher stopping distance when braking in wet weather will help to avoid any issues caused by poor weather conditions.

Tyres
The condition of your tyres will always impact the stopping distance of your vehicle. The main factors which influence the condition of your tyres are:

⦁ Tyre tread – The tread on a tyre influences how well the tyre can grip to the road beneath it.
⦁ Tyre Pressure – The pressure of the tyre will affect how much surface area is in contact with the road, dictating how efficiently the tread can perform.
⦁ Tyre damage – The age and condition of the tyre will not only impact the handling of the vehicle but will also have a negative influence on its ability to stop quickly and efficiently.
⦁ Tyre choice – There are specific tyre choices for a reason. Using the wrong tyres will cause issues but it is worth mentioning that the choice to switch tyres depending on weather conditions is an extremely good choice to make.

In order to have fully functioning tyres which do not compromise the stopping distance of the vehicle, be sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines or ask your local garage for advice!

Brakes
Brakes are commonly known as one of the most influential factors upon stopping distances. When applying the brakes in a car, the brake pads push against the brake disc causing the vehicle to stop. Over time these brake pads can become worn and damaged from the friction applied to them. Regularly check your brake pads not only as a means of addressing safety concerns but in order to comply with UK law.

Tiredness and poor concentration
One issue which is rarely addressed when considering stopping distances is the actual ability and response time of the driver. While the average driver is not expected to have the reactions of Lewis Hamilton when cruising in their Ford KA, they are expected to behave responsibly and take precautions when driving.
Tiredness is a major issue for long-distance or late-night drivers. Always remain alert and focused when behind the wheel. Take regular breaks if necessary and never endanger the lives of your passengers or the road users around you.

Various other factors can negatively influence the stopping distance of a vehicle but the five issues discussed within this article are ones that can be easily fixed or avoided with the use of common sense. Always be sure to regularly check your vehicle as a preemptive strike on any issues will save money and lives in the long term.

December 24, 2019/by Nathan

Tyred but not out! Five uses for your old tyres.

Tyres

It’s highly unlikely that you have formed an emotional bond with the tyres on your vehicle, why would you? However, if you like the worn-down garage chic vibe, Walsall Wood Tyre & Service have several creative ideas that are sure to make the most of your old tyres!

DIY garden planters
Why not give back to nature when reusing your old tyres? The process of reusing old tyres is already highly beneficial to the environment. The use of old tyres as planters is perhaps the best way to incorporate that which is being protected, not only are you helping the environment you’re increasing plant numbers at the same time!

DIY assault courses
Looking to keep fit? Why not replace your tyres and use the old ones for a workout? You may need to source a few more old tyres but as far as makeshift assault courses go, you can’t go wrong using them to be as creative as you feel. The examples below are fine examples of how to make a truly impressive assault course!

Cheap and efficient barriers
Picture the scene, torrential rain and heavy winds have damaged the fences surrounding your garden and you need a quick solution. Save money on repairs and labour by creating a wall of tyres as a surrogate wall. While this may not be as attractive or fancy as some walls, it will certainly do the trick!

Flip flops
Be beach-ready next summer by creating your very own personalised tyre flip flops! You may not be regarded as one of the most fashionable holidaymakers but hey, they’re still better than Crocs…

Tyre swings
An age-old favourite that has no doubt been replicated by every generation since the creation of the rubber tyre, tyre swings are an extremely easy method of reusing old tyres. Although this will require rope and something to hang the tyre off, once erected it will provide hours of entertainment for the younger members of your family!

BONUS USE… Recycle them
If after reading through this list of possible uses for old tyres, you cannot decide how to use your old tyres or have simply decided against reusing them, do the world a favour and recycle them appropriately. There’s nothing worse than fly tipping!

There are probably thousands of possible uses for old tyres, all of which are extremely creative and beneficial for the environment. Send in photos of your best creations and you could win yourself a stash of Walsall Wood Tyre & Service goodies!

December 20, 2019/by Nathan

Feeling Tyred? How to recognise ageing tyres.

Car Safety, Tyres, Cars

Just as the older Gentleman wrinkles with age, the tyres on a car also age in a similar fashion. While a tyre cannot tell you how it’s not as young as it used to be, it can provide you with subtle reminders of its age.

General wear and tear should be expected over time, although some tyres may boast impressive usage durations, there is not a single tyre on the market which will last forever. The Walsall Wood Tyre & Service team have compiled a list of tell-tale signs that your tyre is too old and needs replacing, check it out below!

1. Cracks

One immediately noticeable characteristic of ageing tyres is cracking across the tyre. Just as a human develops wrinkles over time, a tyre will crack, damaging the function and reliability of the tyre. This is due to the rubber of the tyre reacting with UV light, causing the rubber to oxidise and allowing cracks to form.

2. Manufacture date

A more obvious indication of the age of a tyre, the manufacture date will be present on any tyre you purchase. This may not act as a guideline on when to replace your ageing tyre but it will give you a precise value on how old the tyre itself is.

3. Worn tread

Acting as the means to grip the road, the tread on tyres can get worn down incredibly quickly. A driver using their vehicle regularly or for longer distances than the average driver will find no comfort in knowing that their tyres will need to be replaced more often. That said, new tyres will no doubt improve the handling of the car as a whole as the worn tread of the old tyres becomes inefficient and redundant.

4. Strange noises

If your tyre starts making strange noises when in use, chances are its time for it to re-tyre!

Make sure to check your tyres regularly for any signs of ageing. If you are unsure about the reliability of your tyres or their age, feel free to pop into the Walsall Wood branch for advice!

December 19, 2019/by Nathan

Taking Care of Your Tyres – Top Tyre Care Tips

Car Safety, Tyres, Vans, Cars

Replacing tyres can be a pretty daunting and expensive task even for the more experienced or well-funded driver. The best way to avoid spending too much on tyres too often is to properly maintain your existing tyres.

Many drivers are guilty of ignorance when it comes to tyre maintenance, something which is unacceptable in 2019. Follow our top tips for taking care of your tyres to maximise the lifetime expectancy of your tyres.

1. Regular checks

A cost-efficient way of taking care of your tyres is to check them on a consistent basis. Obviously, this will not act as a means of damage prevention but more as a process of damage limitation. Spotting an issue with a tyre early on will not only help in terms of vehicle performance but will also save you money! It’s better to replace one tyre earlier on rather than an entire set at a later date!

2. Avoid unnecessary tyre spinning

Quite often when a vehicle is stuck, the driver will attempt to resolve the situation by excessively spinning the tyres, hoping that the motion will release the vehicle. This can cause irreversible damage to the tyre which could have easily been avoided.

3. Adhere to manufacturer guidelines

Guidelines are provided for a reason. They provide information relevant to the vehicle and give the customer a safe and reliable checklist on the do’s and don’t’s of car ownership. Although these guidelines can be pushed slightly and do have a small amount of wiggle room, they are worth following religiously.

4. Cleaning and removing debris

Although tyres are resilient enough to withstand general wear and tear, they currently lack the ability to prevent bits of debris and mud clogging up the treads on them. While completing regular checks it is advisable to remove any of theses items which may be trapped, allowing the tyre to function at full efficiency for a lot longer.

5. Avoid overloading your vehicle

Overloading a vehicle can cause a multitude of performance-related issues but will also add unnecessary stress to the tyres. This stress can cause poor handling and even increase the likelihood of an accident happening. Always consult the manufacturer guidelines when loading a vehicle.

6. Suspension and alignment

Imbalanced wheel alignment or damaged suspension parts on a vehicle can cause tyre issues in the long term. The faulty suspension and incorrect wheel alignment causes vibrations, which over time wears down the tyres. This is an issue that can easily be prevented or resolved at a local garage for minimum cost.

7. Correct tyre repair

In instances where you have your tyres repaired or replaced, always strive to use a professional business to avoid any potential issues that may arise by completing the task personally. This may be a way to save some money in the short term but it could end up costing you thousands!

These are only a few ways in which drivers can efficiently take care of their tyres. If you think we should add any other tips to the list, feel free to get in touch with the Walsall Wood Tyre & Service team!

December 18, 2019/by Nathan

Tag Archive for: tyres

Stop! – Five things which can affect your stopping distance

Tyred but not out! Five uses for your old tyres.

Feeling Tyred? How to recognise ageing tyres.

Taking Care of Your Tyres – Top Tyre Care Tips

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