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Quite a few young people start dreaming of being behind the wheel of their own sports car even before they can legally drive; perhaps you were one of them. Maybe your dream was of you, in a car of your dreams, driving down the freeway. Perhaps you might be now in a position to have that car that you always wanted. The range of beautiful sports cars to pick from today is simply thrilling. When you allow yourself a little time to look, it is possible to find an amazing deal.

You’ll also want to make sure that you are able to afford the car while at the same time its looks complement your personality. Check out more facts here ego 11. One important thing about people and cars is that they imagine they are judged by their car. This might drive some people into getting  a car that’s beyond their means. But, locating a car that elevates your spirits doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Locating that unique fit with your personality and budget is possible if you persist and keep searching.

Your household circumstance will dictate a number of matters relating to the car you get. Quite often the sports car only happens before marriage or after the children are gone, or maybe, when you have enough money for a second or third car. If you have a family, their needs obviously have to be taken into account. You want a sufficiently big car to fit every person into if your family includes children. You will also need to evaluate the practicality of your chosen car, for example, which is best for your needs, a sedan or a convertible? Take a look at paintball helmet. The overriding considerations should, however, be fuel-efficiency and security.

When it is practical, include any children you have in your decisions, for example concerning the colour you choose, although at the end of the day that’s not going to stop them just loving being able to impress their friends with your new sports car. Before you leave the house to shop around, decide on the color and type of car you want, and what you can afford. This will reduce the number of cars you need to view, and make it easier and quicker to choose what you want. If you have family, it’s more difficult than if you live alone, so consider letting them have some say as well. The nice feeling you have about a car might be spoiled if members of your family don’t like it too. Don’t forget to stay within your budget, because overspending, particularly when it’s driven by one-upmanship, will only lead to feeling sorry later.

Once you have opted for car, check to ensure that all the safety features you want are included. Stop by nerf raider. You need to guarantee that the car has been built solidly, that it has good brakes, and a really good idea if family or others will be riding with you, is airbags. The best value endures, so if you research your options you  should remain  happy  for  years  with  your  new sports car.

When it comes to mobility scooters, a significant number of companies have developed a reputation for reliability. There are some top-notch manufacturers that beat others when it comes to durability and dependability, and these are the ones that those who need mobility scooters usually turn to. They have been in operation long enough to enjoy a verified reputation, such as Bruno mobility scooters.

If you want a mobility scooter noted for its reliability, you can’t go wrong with a Bruno. Look at much more information here paintball sniper. They have been especially designed for handicapped people who find it difficult to get from one place to another. This is the main reason that virtually all mobility scooters have been produced. Sometimes a person is injured, such as breaking both feet in an crash, and a Bruno mobility scooter can be just the right thing for giving them transportation, while healing is taking place. For many people, with the exception of those severely incapacitated, a Bruno scooter could possibly prove a more relaxing and comfortable means of transport than a wheelchair.

Tension can easily hinder and delay healing after an injury, so it’s advisable to stay as stress-free as possible. Sitting in a position that’s comfortable and free of strain while being transported, allows the patient to maintain a positive frame of mind which supports the healing process. An individual doesn’t want to raise the stress and depression of being unable to walk in the first instance. Individuals who are over weight can also take advantage of using a Bruno mobility scooter. When you are carrying that much weight, your skeletal structure is subject to a lot of strain. Take a look at alpha black. So as to prevent injury by means of stress on the skeleton while moving, use a mobility scooter while you attempt to shed the extra weight.

Losing weight usually takes time, so having a Bruno scooter around is usually useful. When your financial situation doesn’t allow for a new Bruno, you can also buy one that’s been used. In cases where a person is still able to walk, although with challenges, care must be taken to not develop a dependency on a mobility scooter. But for people who tend to be apathetic, a good way to get to them to engage life on a larger scale is by means of a Bruno scooter. Check out sonic producer. It really is astounding how advantageous riding a scooter around the neighborhod can be for a person who has been confined indoors for a while.

To be able to independently cruise on a scooter to the neighborhood store provides an amazing boost to a person’s feeling of usefullness, and it’s a luxury ride compared  to being in a wheelchair. There’s also a lot more self-respect with an individual on a scooter rather than being in a wheelchair. There are numerous brands to choose from, but Bruno mobility scooters, should at least always be on your list to research.

With the holiday season swiftly approaching, many of us are making ready to make the yearly pilgrimage to visit family and friends. If you're one of the 30 million people who will drive, here are one or two refresher pointers to help keep you and your folks safe on the road.

Maintain a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle ahead. Following behind another vehicle too closely can lead you to crash into it if the other driver brakes suddenly. As a rule of thumb, follow the “three second rule.” To check whether you're leaving enough room, wait until the automobile ahead of you drives by a fixed object, such as a sign or telefone pole. Count “one thousand, 2 1000, three one thousand.” If you reach that fixed object before you're done counting, then you're following the other auto too closely. In poor driving weather, double the distance to 6 seconds ‘ worth.

Use turn signals. Signalling your plans with turn signals allows other drivers and pedestrians to see where you are going next. Of course , they cannot read your mind. And, it's the courteous action to take. If you turn or change lanes without using your turn signal, you can catch others by surprise — and even crash into them.

Watch your speed. Driving too swiftly can make you an impetuous driver, and it decreases your control and time to reply in the event of emergency. Driving too slow blocks traffic. It’s better to “go with the flow” and follow the average speed of the cars around you. If the driver behind you clearly wants to go quicker, get in the right lane and let him/her pass you. If weather or road conditions are poor, slow down accordingly.

Don’t send or read text messages while driving. Texting, one of the most dangerous driver activities, is causing accidents left and right on the road. That is because it requires the driver to look away from the road, use his/her hands to do something aside from handle the wheel, and think about something unrelated to driving — all while controlling a two-ton machine speeding down the road at 65 miles an hour or more. Typically in the event of an emergency, you have three seconds to respond. But if you're texting, your response time easily becomes 30 seconds or more. Such a delay can be dangerous. Texting has proved to be such a hazard that some states have even prohibited texting while driving.

Naturally, these tips are applicable anytime you're behind the wheel, not just during holiday travel. Doing what you can to drive safely will go a great distance towards lowering stress and making a delightful holiday.

It is also important to know the safety rating and features of any vehicle, or type of vehicle, like for example the safety of Sports Utility Vehicles.

It’s really a new approach to commute,and people are adopting it on a global basis. There is a clear uptrend in sales of all scooters, gas as well as electric. What a great deal of individuals don’t realize is that, when it comes to highway laws, motor scooters are classified as motor vehicles. Motor scooters create a danger mainly because of that anomaly. At times riders of motor scooters think that the rules that apply to automobiles don’t apply to motor scooters, so they may drive recklessly. The popular moped is the introductory motorised two-wheeler for children, and being properly licenced is not something child drivers are called upon to bother with. Check out more facts here spyder paintball guns. With no experience driving a car, this will likely make riding a motor scooter dangerous to younger children.

A good way to save on gasoline is to use a motor scooter when it’s not required to use a car. If you want to get one of the best scooters available, you needn’t look beyond the 500 Watt Electric Scooter. Since it’s equipped with usable pedals, it’s classified an electric bicycle. Therefore you are able to drive it without a driver’s licence nor do you really need to get it registered. Not just that, the pedals don’t need to be mounted, allowing the scooter to be used as a moped. The top of the line 500 Watt Electric Motor Scooter happens to be the dream machine with regard to commuters.

This scooter is an attractive proposition, being swift as well as affordable compared to a motorcycle or car. Having almost the same functions as a motorcycle, the Electric Motor Scooter is available for a 75% lesser price. Specifically what drives this baby is a powerful 500 watt brushless rear hub motor, which is fitted in the rear wheel’s center. Capable to be energized over 500 times and expected to last over three years, four 12 amp powerful batteries supply the power to this scooter. Take a look at paintball online. A mileage of between 20 and 25 miles is achievable with a single charge. The pedals install with almost no space between the crank and the plastic, it’s possible you’ll get some friction if you fit them.

In terms of cheap transportation, the electric scooter exceeds the charts. Individuals their teens too young to secure a driver’s licence, or who can’t afford a car, find it ideal. Because they are so unfettered by administrative obstacles, children often see them more as toys than vehicles. Check out lego 3182. Unfortunately, they also view themselves safe from accidents as well as driving rules. The consequence is a state of affairs laden with danger.

Being appropriately educated about driving rules is an imperative for any child who’s planning to ride a vehicle like the 500 Watt Electric Motor Scooter,  so if you own one, make sure of that. The Electric Scooter provides a cheap way of reaching the job or to school. Clearly you will be saving money, but  you may  also have  to  tolerate  a  few unkind jokes.

Road accidents that concerned heavy-duty trucks have become more frequent in recent years. These types of trucks aren’t your ordinary pickup trucks but those massive 18-wheelers carrying big loads.  The factors are different, but quite a few are related to the drivers of those trucks.  The paradox is that despite triggering all these accidents, the truck driver never gets hurt because the huge trucks protect them from any harm.

A serious accident of this sort might include several small cars, injuries, and even the death of some other drivers. If you do not want to be caught in this type of predicament, you may need to go back to driving school. Check out more facts here sniper paintball. Regrettably, the truck driving classes are trying to train the drivers fast, neglecting the security matters. You should make an attempt to study defensive driving yourself.

A number of people believe that driving a huge truck is no different than driving a sedan. Although they both actually do the same things, they are two unique vehicles. Standard cars are just simpler to drive because you have better command and requires less focus. Just think about parking a truck, and you’re going to see the differences.

Most of the accidents that involve trucks are due to tired truck drivers. Transport outfits are required to allot a reasonable amount of time for travel, like three days for a distance of 1500 kilometers, but many truck drivers would laze around the first two days and try to fit everything in in one. Take a look at bt paintball. Driving for twenty four hours is not easy at all possibly even for the most experienced driver.

The more successful transport companies tend to be installing GPS in the trucks in order to avoid these types of scenarios. By having GPS, it inhibits the driver from attempting to cut corners and forces them to drive in a timely manner. While the initial costs are significant, it is going to pay off in the long term. Something is that the expense of being in an accident is going to be avoided. Plus, your potential customers will certainly recognize your efforts to see that goods are delivered in a safe and secure manner. Additionally, insurance charges will go down since GPS is considered a good safety feature. Actually, many insurance companies will offer a unique package with special advanced services for all your trucks.

There are a few cases where drivers would rather take the truck driver’s license and ignore the standard car test. While this is actually slightly unusual, it does happen. Head over to best beat making software for pc. It is better to go for a standard driver’s license, afterward move your way up to a truck driver’s license. That way you possess a strong concept of the basics which will help you become a safe truck driver.

The winter and driving a car shopping season is closer than you think. We need to remember that during the cold months, with snow along with freezing conditions, each of our driving tactics need to change. Accidents will occur on the snow and ice that wouldn’t on dried out pavement. This article will deal with the important things to remember and how to drive safely. Headboards For Queen Beds

It is essential that everyone needs to bear in mind is that you cannot stop as fast on icy or even snow covered tarmac. You need to drive reduced which will give you added time to slow down. When you really need to come to a stop everywhere give yourself more time simply by starting to slow down prior to when usual. When traveling behind other vehicles just be sure you leave a

bigger distance between your vehicle in front. This way you will have more time to be able to slow down and also respond to unexpected stops.

Slow everywhere and anything that you do. Take turns more slowly, drive on straight roads slower and decelerate alittle even on slight shapes in the road. Anytime you have to turn that will steering wheel ease of the particular gas appropiately. You need to be purposeful in all your actions. Whenever that you need to push

on the particular pedals, gas or braking system, do it easily as well as steady. When making a new turn ease in which steering wheel slowly and do not make fast jerky movements.

Always be aware of your current road conditions. Even when it is not snowing the street will ice way up in places where there is moisture. This will likely happen more during the overnight hours when it is colder and there is no sunlight. Sometimes a spot will be just wet yet is is actually snow, “black ice” as we know it. Be aware of bridges and overpasses. These road surfaces will always be colder and therefore stops up first. If you do find yourself on ice just coast, don’t brake or turn the actual wheel, until you move over it.

Drive defensively. Continually be on the lookout with regard to other motorists which can be making all of the blunders. Approach intersections very carefully looking for other skidding automobiles. Keep an eye in your raise view mirror for vehicles hitting you from behind. Keep adequate distance away from every person so you don’t become part of their accident.

Even after taking all your safeguards you will eventually end up involved in a dropping situation. When you do, DON’T PANIC! Get your foot in the gas and don’t strike the brakes. After this you want to steer your car into the skid. People often hear that such as the know what to do anyway. In case you are driving straight as well as the rear of your car or truck is sliding left and the

front of the vehicle to the right, you will want to countersteer your car on the left. If the car adjusts itself then straighten up the wheel out of the house. Sometimes the car can over correct by itself and now it is sliding the other way. Take place just countersteer again within the opposite direction.

Follow these tips and hopefully you won’t get to be the next accident information. People with suv’s aren’t immune to these principles. Remember not to drink and drive, stay off of your current cell phone and always wear your seatbelt.

Freeway accidents that involved heavy-duty commercial transport trucks have become more frequent in recent years. We are not talking about the small trucks transporting furniture around; we are talking about those 18-wheelers that can provoke disasters on the highways. The factors are different, but quite a few are related to the drivers of those trucks. Surprisingly, even when those drivers are at fault, they usually escape from those kinds of accidents unharmed because of the robust construction of the truck.

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A severe accident of this sort might involve several small cars, injuries, and even the death of some other drivers. If you do not want to be caught in this type of situation, you may need to revisit to driving school. Regrettably, the truck driving training centers are trying to train the drivers fast, ignoring the security matters. It really is important that your instructor train you on everything and that you keep on studying on your free time.

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A lot of people think that driving a truck is the same as driving a sedan. Even though the driving concepts and the traffic rules are comparable, we are talking about two different vehicles. A small-scale car involves less attention, the maneuverability is higher and even the collisions involving small cars are less dangerous. Just consider parking a truck, and you’ll grasp the differences.

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The majority of the accidents that involve trucks are caused by drowsy truck drivers. While transport companies are obliged to give reasonable transport times, like three days for rides and distances up to 1500 kilometers, many drivers spend their time at home then try to do everything in one day. One day of driving is not so painless even for the most seasoned driver, and it requires coffee, energizers and other methods to stay awake.

The more successful transport companies tend to be installing GPS in the trucks in order to avoid these types of scenarios. With the GPS, the outfits can keep a record of how far a driver has driven over a period of time. Even if the expenditures are higher in the short term, you will see the benefits later. Firstly, just think about the costs if one of your trucks is associated with a huge accident. Plus, your clients will certainly recognize your efforts to see that goods are shipped in a safe and secure manner. Third, the price with insurance policies will be decreased, as an insurance company would have to take fewer risks if your trucks have GPS installed. In fact, the insurance firm could give you a customized package with advanced offerings for all your trucks.   

There are several cases where drivers would rather take the truck driver’s license and ignore the standard car test. While this is actually somewhat unusual, it can happen. It is recommended that you go with a normal car license then work your way up to a big truck. By having a solid foundation of basic driving experience, you will manage to  become a very  safe and effective truck  driver  later.

Many people believe that they will never get into a car accident. Every day, all over the modern world, there is some kind of car or truck accident occuring. People tend not to worry too much about it until such time as it happens to someone they know or it happens to them. Car accidents turn into a tragedy very soon if someone dies or is serious hurt. Now you have an even bigger catastrophe when the people killed are teenagers, knowing their lives have been cut short. You can study ways to avoid accidents by driving defensively. Just how many drivers make the careful effort to drive safely? Many people almost certainly don’t since many are driving while thinking of other things. I once had a small bump while on holiday. I hired a car with Car Hire Finland and hit a parked car. All because I wasn’t paying enough attention.

Having all of the errands we run, continuous phone ringing and other distractions, it is difficult to stay focused driving. There are so many people on the highway today with one hand on the wheel at the same time talking on a cell phone. It is no real shock that with so much going on that accidents happen regularly. If virtually all drivers would make a choice to end up being a defensive driver, the number of accidents would most likely decrease greatly. The top option for a driver to avoid accidents, would be to pay attention to what is going on. While you’re driving on the road, don’t multi-task, don’t think about the day ahead, just simply keep your mind on the road.

If you are driving on hectic roads, or at congested intersections, make sure that your mind is on the driving, and your cell phone is turned off. If you absolutely have to be using your camera phone, then get one of the new headsets that allow you to talk, and keep both hands on the wheel at the same time. And don’t read a book or newspaper if you are driving in heavy traffic. Females should not be placing on makeup while driving on their way to work. It could be intriguing to know the number of accidents are caused by people doing these very things. If perhaps people didn’t do any of that stuff while driving, you can only imagine how much lower the accident rate would be.

An alternate way to be a safe driver is always to follow all traffic rules. If you drive at the speed limit, you’ll have much better control of the car than if you were speeding. There is a pretty good possibility that the majority of people getting into collisions were going to fast. The big question is just how many people strictly drive the speed limit?

You’re going to discover that you will add to your chances of getting into car accident whenever you drive. Although you are the best defensive driver on earth, there is no way you can control what’s happening with the other driver. There is always a danger when you are driving in a car. Despite that, you should remain aware of your driving.

Driving etiquette sounds like something one would learn in finishing school, but the the truth is that showing consideration for others who occupy the highway is not only polite, but necessary for safety’s sake. As a Thinkquest entry on driving etiquette explains, “Everyone appreciates the good manners of a driver who: Signals his turns, makes his stops smoothly and gradually pulls to the proper lane well before making a turn.” It can be safer this way for the driver and others around.

Resource for this article: Driving etiquette – Spotlight on safety By Car Deal Expert

Driving etiquette can teach you how to act with other drivers

Not only should drivers be obeying the speed limits, they should not attempt to “shoot the fruit” and barrel through a traffic signal just before it turns red. If drivers are alert to road conditions, they’ll typically notice a changing traffic light in enough time to make a safe stop utilizing relaxed braking. Too many accidents occur at intersections where one driver was attempting to beat a red light. This will cut down on accidents. That consists of signaling properly to alert other drivers and pedestrians to your merging and turning intentions. In bad weather, when high-beam headlights are necessary, dim them down to regular lights when an additional driving passes in the opposite direction. High beams make it hard to see causing accidents. If an accident does occur and the drivers are unharmed, be prepared to share insurance info and refrain from name-calling or admission of fault.

Don’t drive intoxicated

All of us know it isn’t legal to drive drunk. A driver’s judgment, reaction times and even motor skills are effortlessly impaired by alcohol and drug use. It is show to us by About.com that, when somewhat controversial, marijuana should also be considered a drug that temporarily damages driving ability. Numerous research projects like the recent Hartford Hospital study in Connecticut cited by Click On Detroit indicate that “the results do not imply that it is safe to drive under the influence of marijuana.” Distracted driving can be equally dangerous |Distracted driving can be equally dangerous, if not a lot more than it is when drunk. A recent Associated Content article regarding road rage suggests that multitasking while driving simply isn’t a good idea for most individuals, if not all. Cell phones, food, makeup, video games, television and a host of other distractions can make good driving etiquette impossible. How are you supposed to be able to view the road while texting? Practice proper driving etiquette – Be careful out there

Find a lot more information on this topic

Thinkquest.org

library.thinkquest.org/2993/drivin.htm

Associated Content

associatedcontent.com/article/355526/driving_etiquette_for_everybody.html?cat=27

About.com

alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/f/mjkids_faq13.htm

Click On Detroit

clickondetroit.com/news/23818884/detail.html

The sole contact points between your vehicle and the road are its tyres. For this very fact alone it stands to reason that your car’s tyres should not only be safe, but also hard-wearing, made from high quality materials, be durable and still provide you and your family with a comfortable drive. Together with ancillary insurance products such as their car warranty, motorists should consider buying wheel and tyre insurance if they spend large amounts of time out on the roads.

To meet the above demands, tyres need to be manufactured to exacting standards: sometimes up to 200 separate raw materials are used in their manufacture. The difference between a cheap and expensive tyre is due to factors like the rubber compound being of a better quality, the amount of testing put into tread patterns and rubber stability and the fact that when making tyres at higher temperatures the tyres are of a better quality as a result.

The more testing done by a tyre manufacture the lower the road noise will be, the longer the tyre will perform at its peak rate and the safer your family will be. So it should not come as a surprise that there are many different types of tyres that are manufactured for our vehicles and that their treads actually do matter. Some of these are made for a specific purpose while others are purely used for high performance road driving, the race track, desert driving or more rugged terrain such as woodlands or farms.

Tyre Width and Tread
The tyre grip depends on its rubber compound and the grooves that are present in the tread pattern, as it is the tread that does all the work. The tread helps determine how well the tyre grips on a dry road. Each manufacturer designs its own tread pattern to achieve this.

The tread grooves will disperse water in the wet and thus the tyre will grip the tarmac and stay in contact with the road. If the tyre tread is not able to disperse enough water, then your vehicle will aquaplane. When you aquaplane, there is little or no contact between road and tyre and so you will lose control of the car as the tyre loses grip. The more efficiently the grooves expel the water, the better the tyre will be at maintaining grip in wet weather conditions. If tyre treads wear down, they have diminished ability to expel water and that is where it gets dangerous for you and other road users. Worn tyres are dangerous – do not drive on tyres with less than the legal tread limit.

There are many types of tread pattern, all of which are used for different performance issues including standing up to various driving forces such as cornering, steering and high speed braking, road noise reduction, low wear and traction with the surface you are driving on. Tyre treads are designed to cope with the road surface be it snow, farm tracks (large knobbly tyres for digging in), race tracks (soft tyres with minimal groves) or wet weather tyres (deep groves designed to expel water out and away from your car).

The sidewalls combine with the air in the tyre to carry the weight of the vehicle. The outside of the sidewall should always be where you find the tyre size and specification details. Damaged sidewalls could cause a blow out with deadly consequences.

There are legalities in relation to the tyre specifications. This is because they are the main safety features of a tyre. The manufacturer is responsible for any relevant sidewall markings and an owner is responsible for the condition of tyre including the width and tread depths.

The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres is 1.6mm continuously around the band of the central tread of the tyre, circling at least 75 % of the tyre. The remaining grooves must have a depth of a least 1 mm again circling 75 % of the tyre. It is always advisable to change the tyre before it gets to this level, not only for safety reasons, but legal reasons too. Not performing regular checks could mean that your tyres are illegal and cost you a fine of up to two-and-a-half thousand pounds and potentially three points on your licence.

Belted/Radial Tyres
These have replaced the formerly popular cross-ply tyre. The materials of the radial tyres inner casing runs perpendicular to the direction of tyre travel. If viewed side on, the materials run radially, hence their name. The only problem associated with the composition of this type of tyre is that the materials cannot absorb the lateral force when cornering or accelerating. To correct this, the materials are supported by another structural material, for example steel belts.

The steel belts are rubber encircled ropes of steel wire. They give structural rigidity and maintain the tread flat in contact with the road. With bead-wires, the ultra-strong steel wires hold an extreme resistance to stretching, therefore holding the tyre to the rim, even during very high performance driving.

Run Flat Tyres
Manufacturer have now developed tyres and systems that allow a vehicle to continue moving despite there being a loss of pressure in the tyres. Two systems are available. The reinforced tyre sidewall brands on the market include Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, and Pirelli. The other uses a rubber clip attached to the rim; brands using this system include Michelin. Run flat tyres should be fitted only in conjunction with your car’s tyre pressure warning system, if applicable. Although new cars will automatically be provided with the appropriate tyre choice, if car buyers are replacing run flat tyres with aftermarket upgrades, due care must be taken to ensure that they are compatible with your car.

Little Known Fact: Rubber car tyres actually deteriorate with age, this is even the case when those tyres have simply sat on a warehouse shelf and not been used. This aging means that the tyre will be more prone to sudden and unexpected structural failure. Similarly, spare tyres sitting either in your care or perhaps in your garage, are subject to deterioration! Never risk causing an accident just to save a little money. It’s false economy to buy tyres in bulk if you end up replacing them prematurely due to deterioration. Always ask your tyre supplier how long the tyres they are selling you have been on the self.

Summer Tyres
These particular tyres provide excellent driving and braking performance, both on dry and wet roads, during temperatures above freezing in the spring, summer, autumn and winter. Summer tyres typically perform well in warm weather and are not suitable for cold driving conditions. The simple block shaped tread on the tyre ensures that the tyre’s contact with the road is as firm as possible, giving maximum grip at all times.

Winter Tyres/Cold Weather Condition Tyres
These tyres are for use when the weather turns cold or there is snow and ice on the roads. The tread has a blocked design with deep, wide blades or grooves. These ensure that there is superior traction and braking performance on winter road surfaces. The tread rubber gives excellent friction and allows flexibility at low temperatures. Most of the current designs are centred towards the braking performance and driving control on icy roads. Sports such as World Rally and track motor sports have helped by providing invaluable information regarding performance so that tyre designs and technology are continuously being improved.

All-Season Tyres
As their name suggests, these are designed for use all-year round, and are more complex than other tyres. This is because of the longer block-edge that is used for winter. More blades or grooves are apparent in these tyres to ensure improved braking and driving performance, produced by maximising the effect of its edge. All-season tyre tread designs provide superb all-around traction for various road conditions, whilst still providing even wear and low noise.

Snow tyres
Snow tyres are especially designed to perform better when driving in the snow. They have been designed to replace the standard tyre for the winter months to ensure driving on the snow and ice is safer. They have much deeper treads that increase the traction and the rubber used maintains its elasticity in the cold temperatures. Higher volumes of snow, sleet and ice are displaced by using a tyre with deeper treads. They will perform well in such conditions as road flooding, ice and mud.

4WD Tyres
4wd tyres are produced for high performance on 4×4 vehicles, they will often be made for driving off-road too. Today many vehicles are built with four wheel drive capability; 4WD (4 wheel drive) is no longer the sole domain of Land Rover Discovery and Toyota Land Cruiser. Modern saloon cars like the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru’s WRX also have four wheel drive systems which can be engaged either permanently or – as in the case of the Subaru Forester 4WD for example – can be engaged and disengaged as dictated by driving conditions. Gone are the days where 4WDs were only used by the military and emergency services. In fact as a group Future45 Ltd has found a steady increase in sales of gap insurance to buyers of 4WD Sports Utility Vehicles over the past 36 months and expect this market segment to continue it’s growth.

Little Known Fact: Heat can cause tyre fatigue resulting in catastrophic failure. The main causes of such failure are due to frequent overloading of the vehicle which overheats the tyres though friction; the other is simply by living in a country with a hot climate. Since the tyres are prone to failure far sooner in these conditions more frequent tyre condition checks should be made under these circumstances. Many tyre manufacturers recommend that a vehicle’s tyres are changed every 5 to 7 years on average even if they still have plenty of legal tread on them.

Car Tyre’s sidewall markings
Markings are apparent on all tyres; if your tyre doesn’t have any, then it is not an acceptable tyre. The markings hold all sorts of information and will help you choose the right tyre for your car. For example:

If your tyre has 175/65 R14 T imprinted on it then:
• 175 is the tyre width in mm
• 65 is the tyre sidewall profile or the sidewall height as a percentage of its width
• R means radial (rather than a cross ply)
• 14 is the diameter of the wheel rim, in inches
• T is the speed rating which must match, or exceed the maximum speed of your car.

Speed ratings are as follows:
S 180 km/h or 112 mph
T 190 km/h or 118 mph
U 200 km/h or 125 mph
H 210 km/h or 130 mph
V 240 km/h or 149 mph
W(ZR) 270 km/h or 168 mph
Y(ZR) 300 km/h or 186 mph
ZR Above 240 km/h or 149 mph

Big Brand Tyres & Their Reputations

It used to be the case that there were only 3 or 4 brands that were available, but due to mergers and the increasing demands and needs of the consumer, more budget brands have entered the marketplace. The main ones are:

Michelin(France) -This is the world’s number one tyre manufacturer. They own Michelin, BF Goodrich, Kleber, Uniroyal and Riken.
Bridgestone(Japan) -One of the top 3 manufacturers. Back in 2003 Bridgestone (Japan) recently announced that they would be investing heavily in new research and development to produce tyres in the high performance sector, and also intended to raise their stakes in Europe’s share of global Bridgestone business. This initiative was a success and has put Bridgestone firmly in amongst the worlds top tyre manufacturers. Today they own Bridgestone, Firestone, Daytona and Europa.
Goodyear Dunlop(USA) -Goodyear Chemical provides both standard and high-performance polymers, antioxidants, latex and adhesive resin products to its customers on a global scale. The business has annual revenues of more than $750 million. Recently merged to form one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world, they own Dunlop, Goodyear, Fulda, Falken and Kelly.
Yokohama (Japan) -In the top 10 list of manufacturers. Their 4WD tyres are world renowned, Their name embossed on the tyre sidewall painted white ensures instant brand recognition.
Pirelli(Italy) -In the top 5 of manufacturers. Pirelli are one of the worlds premier premium tyre brands. High performance car and motorcycle tyres are synonymous with the Pirelli brand name. They have recently developed the Ceat and Courier brands.
Cooper Tyre(USA) -They own Cooper, Avon and Mastercraft.
Continental (Germany) -They own Continental, Uniroyal, General Tyre, Gislaved and Semperit.
Toyo (Japan) – They are one of the newest budget firms.
Kumho (Korea) – They are a budget range with an emphasis on sporting tyres.
Vredestein (Netherlands) – They have an enormously wide range of tyres and are constantly working on innovative solutions, which they prove in practice by regularly introducing new tyres.

Tyre Terms You May Have Heard Before

Rolling Resistance
The rolling resistance of your tyres can affect your fuel economy. Correctly pumped tyres are essential to the tyres performance and your fuel economy. Therefore some tyres are described as “fuel savers”, “eco” or “energy” tyres. These tyres may have low rolling resistance. A general rule is that the narrower a tyre the more fuel you will save and they often, though not always, are less likely to aqua plane on road surface water at higher speeds! Interesting and completely logical when you think about it!

Tyre Pressures
Always check that your car has the correct tyre pressure. You will find the recommended pressure for your car either in the handbook, the glove box or the inside of the driver door panel. Check the tyre pressure every couple of weeks. Always check your tyre pressure when your tyres are cold, as the further you drive the hotter the air inside them will be: air expands as it warms up and you will therefore get a false reading.

It’s interesting to note how Formula One racing has employed this principle. Cold Formula One tyres are actually almost flat! They need to be brought up to temperature very quickly for optimal performance. Optimal performance is when the tyres are blisteringly hot and that makes them sticky as the rubber compound melts. This melting rubber is then used for holding the car to the race track at high speed when taking corners. A Formula One car relies on the hot tyres as this expands the air in them, which in turn inflates the tyres. However in a road going car you must not drive with under or over inflated tyres as this will hinder the handling of the vehicle and their structural safety is also dependent on their inflation pressure. Uneven tyre pressure will increase both tyre wear and your fuel consumption.

Wheel Alignment
If you find that your tyres are evenly worn across the surfaces, this is a sign of good wheel alignment. If the tyre wear is uneven, this could be a result of over or under inflation. If your tyres are badly worn on one edge this could signal that the wheel alignment has been knocked off of track. It is then essential that you have your wheel checked by a reputable garage or wheel and tyre centre as soon as possible. They will check your wheel alignment, camber and toe settings for you to ensure a safer drive, lower fuel consumption and longer tyre life.

Wheel Balancing
Wheels are balanced using tiny leads weights placed on the outside of your rims after the tyre has been fitted to the wheel. Each wheel is done individually. If your wheels are unbalanced, not only will you feel a vibration in your steering wheel, but the vibrations become more violent as the balancing gets worse. These vibrations can cause mechanical damage to your car and the distraction to the driver is dangerous. Always seek professional help as soon as you feel that there is anything at all that may be wrong with your vehicle’s tyres. Not only your life, but those of your family and other motorists are also at stake. Again, it is essential that you have your checked by a reputable garage or wheel and tyre centre.

Spare Tyre
Always ensure that your spare wheel is in good condition. Check the spare tyre’s pressure and tread every few months, so avoiding any problems should you need to use it. Your spares tread should be within legal limits if you have elected to use a tyre which you previously had on your car. Best practice is to always have a brand new tyre for your spare. You can use either a full-sized spare, or buy a temporary “mini-spare” to save space. These are designed to take up less room in your vehicle and to get you home in an emergency. They are not meant to be driven on for long periods of time and they are usually not suitable for speeds in excess of forty to fifty miles per hour. If in doubt consult the manufacturer.

Directional Tyres
Directional Tyres guarantee the best possible sound reduction and water dispersion. For these reasons the tyres must be fitted correctly. Directional tyres are fitted with the arrow point and the words “ROTATION” pointing towards the forward driving direction of the vehicle.

Asymmetrical Tyres
Tyres with an asymmetrical tread also exist. These have a more open tread on the inner section and less open tread on the outer section. The less open tread is intended for high traction on a dry road and road adherence in corners while the inner section has a more open tread that results in an improved dispersion of water.

Tyre Care Reminder

It is essential that you maintain the tyre pressure, for safety, economy and for the sake of the environment. So check that all your tyres are at the correct pressures, every couple of weeks. Don’t forget to check your spare.

When you do this, also check for any tyre damage at the same time. Tyre failure could occur as a result of any cuts, lumps or scrapes which you notice on your tyres which go unchecked. Noticing uneven wear could mean that the wheel alignment is incorrect, or if you have braked suddenly, there may be a flat area. So again, always have them professionally checked if you have been involved in any situation involving emergency or heavy braking.

Remember that not only is it illegal to have tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm, but you may well also void your car insurance. There will also be a greater risk of skidding and aquaplaning. It’s important to inspect the tread regularly.

This article was supplied by the Gap Insurance division at Future45 Ltd group of companies for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice. In the interests of your safety please consult your local tyre replacement centre if you are in any doubt about the condition of your car tyres.