As the only component of the vehicle in contact with the ground, safety and control rely heavily on the condition of the tires. We make sure every one of our customers enjoys a safe journey by replacing our vehicles’ tires frequently. Unlike other companies, we never wait till the tire is at its minimum tread depth (bald).
Driving on worn-out tires can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are driving on highways. Keep reading to understand some of the dangers of driving on used tires. When you book a rental car with Advantage Car Rental, know that you will receive a vehicle with safe tires.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is a result of water getting between the tire and the surface of the road while driving. Modern tires are designed with deep grooves (tread) to guide water away from the tire, giving it a contact patch on the road even in unfavourable conditions like rain. Over time, as the rubber wears down (tire wear) the tire tread depth becomes shallower. This makes the tire prone to riding on top of a stream of water, resulting in a condition known as hydroplaning. Hydroplaning will dramatically reduce control on wet surfaces when you are making turns, and while trying to stop.
Poor handling
It always feels good when you are in full control of your vehicle, right? You can thank fresh rubber on new tires for that. Since your tires are the only component of your car that is in contact with the surface if they are worn out they will reduce its handling capabilities. New rubber is relatively softer and provides good purchase on the tarmac; old rubber hardens and provides less grip on all surfaces. You’ll notice new tires really ‘bite’ into the road surface, giving you a lot of confidence in turns.
When driving on wet or snowy surfaces, you will notice the full drawbacks of driving on worn-out tires. Sharp turns will become more difficult; even easy maneuvers will become tough, and braking performance is dramatically reduced. New winter tires rely on the softness of their compound to generate heat and grip, making old tires especially dangerous.
Greater risk of tire punctures
Tires are designed to be quite tough, however, nails, shards of glass, or pieces of metal at the right angle will puncture through the rubber and cause deflation. The tread on your tires reduces the chances of this occurring because it shields your tires from debris. It also provides a stronger surface that makes it less prone to puncture.
In addition to tire wear, the construction of old tires becomes weaker over time. Potholes, curbing and flat spots on the tire make the tire structurally weaker, increasing the chances of delamination and slow air leaks.
Loss of control
This is similar to poor handling but is caused by different reasons. As tires become old the belts holding them together lose tension and the tire becomes unable to retain its circular shape. As this happens, it starts to send jolts into the suspension. At first, the vehicle can cope with minor vibrations, but over time they will overwhelm the car and cause a catastrophic loss of control.
At Advantage Car Rental we replace tires on our vehicles well before they reach the minimum legal tire tread depth. We endeavour to make every journey as safe as possible.
Book a car on our website or through our On Demand Car rental app.