Why Should You Buy a Set of Winter Tyres

 

Winter poses a severe threat to your vehicle and your life's safety. Vehicles in winter are more prone to skidding and sliding on the road. The main reason for this is the contact of your car with the road. And that is why tyres are accountable for skidding. Even if your brakes are working just fine and there is no problem with your summer tyre's tread, you can face a problem with gripping.

Hence, to counter this problem of less traction on snow-laden road, winter tyres were discovered. Winter tyres are known for providing road safety under the winter and moist conditions.

What are Winter Tyres and How are They Beneficial?

When the temperature goes below 7-degree Celcius, standard tyres fail to maintain the grip on the road because of the moist conditions and their incapability to displace water. Winter tyres are made from a higher percentage of natural rubber in the tyre, mixed with silica. The added silica provides better traction on the road, while the softer natural rubber is responsible for softening of tyres which also provides better grip in wet conditions.

Apart from the composition, it is the design of these tyres that is bound to work great in winters. Winter tyres have a particular type of grooves called the sipes. These grooves are more in-depth and also better styled than the usual summer tyres’ treads. These sipes help in the channelling of water through the tyre. The displacement of water through the tyre prevents it from gliding on the water and skidding away. The water displaced through the tyre grips the water on the road and hence, provide better traction than the regular tyres.

In an experiment, it was found that under identical conditions, the vehicles fixed with winter tyres stopped well before than the vehicle with other variants of tyres.

Winter tyres cannot only be used in winters but also can be used whenever the temperature goes below 7-degree Celcius.

Are Winter Tyres Worth the Investment?

The answer depends on the region you live in the country. If the temperature is moderate, then it is better to opt for all-season tyres. However, if you face a cold winter then, of course, a set of winter tyres will do wonders.

Most of the countries that face harsh winters have made it illegal to drive without winter tyres on. Even though the UK doesn't have such provisions, but it is better to keep a set of winter tyres as the temperature can dramatically go below 7 degrees. When you are talking about the safety against the skidding and sliding of your vehicle on the moistened road in the UK, then yes, the winter tyres sure do worth the investment.

If you are looking for Winter Tyres Blackburn, you can come to us. We here at Nil’s Tyre Services have a wide range of winter tyres that will fit your vehicle just fine. For any queries related to winter tyres or car repairs you can always contact us as per your convenience.

5 Common Mistakes in Car Maintenance You Must Watch Out For

Car maintenance is one area where we spend a lot of money. And yet, it is also among one of the most misunderstood areas of automotive care. Many people do not know when to seek professional assistance when it comes to car servicing. Here are 4 of the top mistakes car owners make when it comes to car maintenance.

Reading about these issues will give you an idea of which fields of car maintenance are the least known about.

1. Problems With the Lights

One of the most common faults a car owner often overlooks are blown or fused lights. While defective headlights will stand out immediately, it is often the smaller lights which are ignored. For example, the reversing lamps and lane departure warning lamps. These lights are much smaller and are not repairable; they need replacements immediately.

If you believe that any of your car’s internal or external lights are malfunctioning, it may be time for a complete Car Repair.

2. Electrical Faults

Do the lights oscillate when the engine is running? Or is there an issue with the ignition? Well, your car may be suffering from faulty electrical circuitry. Fluctuating lights means that there is something loose in the circuits, something that can only be fixed by a professional service expert. The issue with the ignition often boils down to a faulty battery.

Electrical faults are also common in hybrid and electric vehicles. These latter categories of vehicles rely primarily on a properly functioning battery. You cannot leave anything to chance and need an immediate overhaul. In some cases, a new battery may be needed too.

If you live in and around Blackburn, check out service garages such as MG Autos for a battery repair. You can even refer to them for a TerraClean service, oil change, tyre repair, etc.

3. Retreading Tyres is Not Safe

Whenever you see that your car’s tyres have worn out, the first thing many of us do is ignore it completely. If there is any further trouble, we also tend to retread them. It is true that retreading tyres is a cheaper option than buying a new set of wheels. However, you should always go for new tyres whenever possible. They will give you better mileage, and the safety of your vehicle will remain uncompromised over time.

Always make sure you change all four tyres simultaneously, provided you are replacing more than one tyre on a single occasion. If you only need to change a single tyre, you can gladly do so.

4. Pay Heeds to Wheel Vibration, Vehicle Pull and Drift Problems

It’s easy to forget about having your car’s wheels aligned, as misalignment is unnoticeable most of the times. Your wheels go out of alignment (either toe-in and toe-out issue) when you run your car over a pothole or hit a curb at high speed. The tyres with bad alignment start giving various indications such as vehicle pulling to either of the sides, wheel shaking, steering difficulties and uneven treadwear. Hence for longer life of your tyres, you should get your tyres/wheels aligned at regular intervals, especially when you are planning a long road trip. Wheel Alignment Blackburn is crucial to your safety, your tyre’s longevity as well as your vehicle’s performance.

5. Never Ignore Drained Fluids

A car requires a lot of different liquids. These need to be replaced over time as their efficacy decreases with age and wear. Take for example your car’s antifreeze agent. If the levels fall during winter, you may be stranded, for your vehicle won’t start.

Another good example is the transmission fluid. Without it, your car will not run. These fluids top-ups are often not DIY-friendly and need a professional hand.

The next time you go for an Oil Change, let the technician have a look at the other fluids. Maybe he or she will notice something you may have missed.

These are 5 of the most common mistakes you can make when it comes to vehicular maintenance. Keep these in mind, and you will have a fine car for years to come.

5 Things to Know Before You Repair a Punctured Car Tyre

Punctures can hit your car at any time and eat away your precious car. But you should be prepared for it at all times. Whether it’s a single cut or a puncture, flat tyres need your immediate attention. However, before you repair a flat tyre, check for these 6 pointers to reduce the risk of returning a weakened tyre for servicing.

1. Look at the punctured spot: Not all punctures are repairable. Only the ones located within the tread area can be fixed. If the tyre has punctured anywhere beyond the tread area in the shoulder or sidewall of the tyre or along the edge, then the tyre should be replaced. If you try to repair such punctures, you will end up spending even more. So do not make or allow a repair of such flats.

2. Measure the diameter of the puncture: There are a zillion things for which the size does not matter. But here, size does matter. If the size of your tyre puncture is greater than 1/4" in diameter, the resulting damage is beyond the scope of repair. Therefore, buy fresh tyres to dodge a bigger hole in your pocket.

3. Tread Size: Next on the list is the tread size. If the size is less than 1/16 inch or if the treads are damaged, then guys it is time to retire that tyre and get a fresh one. It is because repairing tyres that are not even roadworthy is a stupid idea. If you see small cracks or missing chunks of the tyre tread, replace it because they can blow out the tyre real soon.

4. Dig Deeper to survey the damaged tyre: Always ensure that the professional repairing your damaged tyre separates the tyre from the rim to thoroughly inspect the damaged area. This is because damages on the inner lining of the wheel may have sustained damage that would not be visible from the exterior.

5. Do not overlap repairs: If your tyre gets a puncture at the same place as an earlier one, the tyre needs to be scrapped ASAP because it cannot be repaired.

Repairable puncture tyres should be fixed with a patch and plug assembly because a plug alone is not sufficient. Always ensure that your service technician follows standard industry procedures in the repair process because there may be some other limitations or restrictions with repairs. It is vital to repair or replace punctured tyres to ensure that you are not left stranded on the roadside, waiting for a tow truck.

When in need of Puncture Repair Blackburn, come to Nil’s Tyre Services for we provide only the finest quality and at the best prices. We have a range of premium products and services from the most trusted brands. If you are still unsure about it, bring your car to us; we'll take a look at the tyres and let you know if you have an irreparable puncture.

Taking Proper Care of Car Tyres: A Forgotten Necessity

A car engine provides the power to run the machine, brakes are instrumental in stopping its motion, the clutch allows one to shift gears, but all of these and everything else in the car will be of little use if even one of its four tyre goes missing.

That was just a pointer towards the importance of tyres in a car. Sadly though, most car owners tend to neglect these until they encounter a flat tyre, at which point they curse the tyres as if it was somehow the tyres fault.

Truth is, nobody can predict a flat tyre. However, regular tyre maintenance can lower its chances drastically. If you follow the guidelines given below, your tyres will lead to a much longer and healthier life.

Maintain Proper Tread Depth

Treads are an essential aspect of a car tyre. They provide the tyre with grip and traction, prevent heat build-up and aquaplaning and enhance the tyre’s braking and cornering capabilities.

A typical new tyre comes with a tread depth of 8mm. However, they wear out with time due to the constant friction they encounter. As long as the tread depth is above 3 mm, your tyres are good to go. If it falls below that threshold, it’s time that you consider replacing the tyre.

Note: The legal tread depth limit for passing the MOT is 1.6 mm.

Check Pressure at Regular Intervals

Check your car’s tyre pressure at least once a week. You can do it at Nils Tyre Service, where our experts will check the optimum tyre pressure and inflate it accordingly. You can also invest in a suitable pressure gauge and do it at home. You can find the recommended tyre pressure on your cars owner’s manual or the housing of your front car door.

If it’s less than recommended, be sure to inflate your Tyres Blackburn immediately. Inadequate tyre pressure hastens uneven tread wear and even affects the handling of your car.

Do Wheel Balancing and Wheel Alignment Once Every Year

Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are entirely separate but equally important services that will make sure that your tyres stay in good condition for much longer. Wheel alignment in Blackburn involves an adjustment to the suspension system so that all the wheels are at right angles to each other. Wheel balancing, on the other hand, relates to the even weight distribution within the tyres. If the values are off, it can cause premature tread wear and lead to the early demise of your car tyres.

Tyre maintenance is not the most glamorous part of owning a car, but it’s a necessary one.  Your safety and the comfort of your co-passengers depend on it to a large extent. You can do most of it at home. Spending a few minutes every week on your tyres will ensure that you don’t have to waste any time being stuck in the middle of the road because of malfunctioning tyres. The choice is yours. Which way will you swing?