Get a Grip on Tyre Safety, Says Westover Group
11 October 2011
October is Tyre Safety Month and this year the campaign (which works alongside government organisations and industry) is raising awareness of the dangers of driving with defective tyres in winter. The Westover Group is supporting Tyre Safety Month by inviting local people to get to grips with tyre safety and pop into any one of its 21 dealerships across the region for a free winter tyre check.
“We often see vehicles come into our workshops with tyres that are sometimes frankly nothing short of hazardous,” says Lee Tuxford, Westover Toyota General Aftersales Manager. “We’re hoping that by raising awareness we can help to make our roads a little safer this winter. With predictions of low temperatures and heavy snowfall for November and beyond, drivers should make sure they’re well prepared for a third consecutive year of challenging driving conditions.
“I think many people would be truly amazed to feel the difference a decent set of winter tyres can make to the traction their car has with the road, especially when there’s a layer of ice or snow beneath them.”
“Westover advises that motorists should change to winter weather tyres when the temperature drops below 7°C - typically between October and March in the UK,” continues Lee. “Winter tyres have higher levels of natural rubber and silica, as well as a different tread pattern, which both help the tyre to bond with the road more effectively. That means all-round better handling, thanks to improved grip and shorter stopping distances.”
Winter weather tyres have a big impact on stopping distances. On an icy road a car equipped with winter weather tyres would typically be able to stop an average of 11 metres sooner than a car travelling on standard tyres. In snow there’s a difference of around eight metres.
Investing in winter tyres and alternating them with your standard tyres will increase the lifespan of both sets of tyres and therefore potentially save you money – standard tyres wear more quickly in harsh weather conditions than those specifically designed to deal with ice and snow.
Westover Toyota is currently offering to fit supplied winter tyres, then re-fit your standard tyres in the spring, completely free of charge. The dealership will even deliver the set of tyres not currently in use to your home, ready for storage in a shed or garage, at no additional cost.
To book in for a complimentary winter tyre check, please visit any Westover dealership.
