Aquaplaning, or hydroplaning, occurs when the water between your tyres and the road surface cannot be removed quickly enough. This layer of water builds up in front of the tyres until the pressure of the water exceeds the pressure of the tyre on the road, resulting in the tyres losing contact with the road surface. This loss of traction causes the wheels to slip and prevents the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or accelerating. As a result, your vehicle can go out of control, start to skid or spin. A potentially dangerous situation.
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TYRE CARE GUIDE
Aquaplaning is a very real, yet invisible danger
How to prevent or reduce aquaplaning
- Check your tyres and tyre inflation regularly.
Insufficient pressure strongly increases the risk of aquaplaning. If tyre pressures are 30% below that recommended then there is a sharp increase in the risk of aquaplaning.
- Check your tyre wear and tread depth.
The more tread depth you have remaining on your tyres the more water you can disperse, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.
- Reduce your speed.
Especially when approaching large puddles or areas of standing water.
What causes aquaplaning?
The groove to water ratio
Most potential aquaplaning incidents are prevented by the grooving of the tread and the shape of the contact patch. As your tyre tread becomes worn, however, its ability to resist aquaplaning is reduced. The deeper the water, the sooner you’ll lose traction.Anti Surf System: optimum grip on wet
When should I check my wheel alignment?
If you notice that your vehicle pulls significantly to the left or right when you are travelling on a straight, flat road with little cross-wind, or your tyres are wearing abnormally, then your wheel alignment may require adjustment. You should therefore take your vehicle to a Michelin tyre dealer or a reputable garage to have its wheel alignment checked. This is a simple process, which may require slight adjustment of front and/or rear suspension components. If your vehicle’s wheels are not properly aligned, this can cause abnormal wearing of the tyres.
Note that wheel alignment may also be referred to as suspension alignment.
Always have your vehicle’s alignment checked when:
- Your vehicle has hit something (e.g. a kerb or major road hazard).
- You notice that your tyres are wearing abnormally or unevenly.
- You experience steering or handling problems, such as:
- Your vehicle pulls or drifts to one side.
- Your steering wheel does not return easily after a turn.
- Your steering wheel remains at an angle when driving in a straight line.
- When you buy a new set of tyres and want them to last as long as possible.
- When you replace suspension or steering components.
Why is wheel alignment important?
Wheel alignment can affect the amount of wear and tear that tyres endure. The normal alignment on most vehicles is designed to minimise wear and tear and maximise driver and passenger comfort. Correct four wheel alignment will reduce wear on your tyres, help increase their life and performance, and improve fuel economy. It will also improve handling and driving safety by reducing steering and stability problems.Wheel alignment versus wheel balancing?
People often get confused between wheel alignment and wheel balancing. They are completely different. Wheel alignment, or tracking as it’s sometimes called, consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are as specified by your vehicle manufacturer. On the other hand, wheel balancing allows the wheels to spin without causing unnecessary vibration.Why does wheel misalignment happen?
Misalignment can occur when hitting a kerb or driving through a pothole, as well as in more severe circumstances like accidents, which can knock your vehicle’s suspension out of alignment. Misalignment can also happen as suspension components wear or when they are replaced. When wheel alignment is incorrect, rapid tyre wear can occur especially on the edge of the tyres, and vehicle handling can also be adversely affected. It almost certainly means that you will have to replace your tyres earlier than expected.It takes only a small misalignment to create problems
The purpose of correct wheel alignment is to provide optimum vehicle handling and to maximise the life of the tyres.The main reasons for having correct wheel alignment are:
- It can save you money, as tyre replacements are required less frequently.
- Your tyres will last longer.
- Your vehicle handling will be optimised.
- Your vehicle will drive smoother with less tyre rolling resistance.
How long does it take to realign my wheels and what does it cost?
Most front and rear alignment problems can be solved in about 30 minutes. Use the Michelin Dealer Locator to find your nearest dealer to check for wheel alignment costs. Wheel alignment is all about checking the direction and angle at which the wheels are set against your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. Even though you may hear expressions like toe in, toe out, positive camber or negative camber, wheel alignment itself is not complex. In fact, adjusting wheel alignment is actually a very straightforward operation.
How are wheels aligned?
Correcting wheel alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they have the specified amount of toe in / toe out and camber. The three main adjustments which may be made concerning alignment are camber, caster, and toe.Camber
Camber is the angle of lean of the wheel away from the vertical when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the wheel leans too far, uneven wear will occur.- Positive camber is when the top of the wheel is leaning away from the car. Too much positive camber causes tyres to wear on the outside edge.
- Negative camber is when the top of the wheel is leaning in towards the car. Too much negative camber causes tyres to wear on the inside edge.
The camber angle is designed and adjusted for each vehicle to optimise the tyre’s behaviour on the straight and during a turn. If there is too much difference between the camber angles of the front wheels, the vehicle will tend to pull to one side.
Toe
Toe identifies the direction in which the tyres are pointing relative to the centre line of the vehicle. Toe is usually expressed as the difference in distance between the front of the wheels and the rear of the wheels on the same axle.
Toe settings affect the handling characteristics of the vehicle and its straight line stability.
- Toe-in is when the front of the wheels on an axle are closer together than the rear of the wheels. If there is too much toe-in, the tyre tread will tend to wear more on the outside edges. The tread will also wear in a feathered manner which can be felt by running your hands across the tread of the tyre.
- Toe-out is when the rear of the wheels on an axle are closer together than the front of the wheels. If there is too much toe-out, the tyre tread will tend to wear more on the inner edges. The tread will also wear in a feathered manner which can be felt by running your hands across the tread of the tyre.
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Advice from The Michelin Man on tyre pressure checks
Make sure you check your tyre pressures (including the spare) at least once a month and before any long journeys
By keeping your tyres at their correct pressure, you’ll reduce your running costs. Under inflated tyres are prone to overheating use more fuel and wear out more quickly. Likewise, over inflation can reduce tyre life, reduce grip and cause steering problems.• WEAR. A tyre which is 20% under- inflated can give 20% less mileage. That means a loss of 5,000 miles (8,000 km) on a potential mileage of 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
• FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS. Low tyre pressure increases both fuel consumption and CO2emissions.
A tyre loses some of its pressure through natural causes (typically around 1 psi (0.076 bars) per month). Pressure loss may be accelerated by other air leaks due to:• an accidental puncture
• the valve: which must be changed each time a tyre is changed.
• the valve cap: essential to guarantee an airtight seal.
• the wheel: which should be cleaned each time a tyre is fitted.
• Follow the advice of the vehicle or tyre manufacturer, particularly with regards to the conditions of use (loads/speeds etc.)
• Check pressures when the tyres are cold (tyres which have not been used in the last 2 hours or have covered less than 2 miles (3 km) at low speed).
• If tyres are hot when they are checked, add 4 to 5 psi (0.3 bar) to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Re-check the pressures when the tyres are cold.
• Never deflate a hot tyre.
• Even if tyres are inflated with nitrogen, the pressures and overall tyre condition must still be checked frequently.
A correctly inflated tyre improves safety, is more economical in use and is better for the environment.
Check your tyre pressures at least once a month
Having the correct inflation pressure in your vehicle’s tyres not only optimises the performance but also increases your personal safety when driving.
As a guide you should check your tyre pressures at least once a month, and before long journeys. Ignoring this advice runs the risk of decreasing your grip and increasing your braking distances. You could also damage your tyres reduce their lifespan and increase your fuel consumption.
The recommended tyre pressure levels for front and rear tyres are often different. If you’re not sure what your tyre pressures should be, or even how to check tyre pressure, why not spend a couple of minutes reading the following article? It could save you more than the cost of replacing a tyre.
When did you last check your tyres?
When was the last time you checked the pressure of your tyres? Not sure?You’ve just answered why so many people drive with dangerously under inflated tyres. Checking your tyre pressure is inexpensive and simple. Yet why do so many of us fail to weigh up the costs of ignoring this vital procedure?
Driving with incorrect tyre pressures can affect a vehicle’s handling, and can seriously compromise safety—leading to incidents that can put lives at risk.
If your tyres are over or under inflated enough to be considered un-roadworthy, reading this article could save you a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.
Not sure of the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle or where to find them?
The correct pressures for your vehicle can normally be found in your owner's manual. The information may also be marked on the vehicle (for example on the driver’s door pillar, or on the inside of the petrol flap). In most cases, two different sets of pressures are given: • For 'normal' driving conditions.
• For a loaded vehicle (with extra people or heavy items on board).
To check your tyre inflation pressures you will need a tyre pressure gauge or use the gauge on the inflation equipment found at most garages and petrol stations.
See below how tyre pressures can affect safety:
ENDURANCEDriving on under-inflated tyres reduces their endurance capabilities, leading to deterioration that could even result in a rapid deflation.
7 psi (0.5 bar) or more under inflated = DANGER
ROAD HOLDING
With under- inflated tyres, the vehicle's steering is less precise.
If a bend can be taken at 62 mph (100 km/h) at a tyre pressure of 29 psi (2.0 bar), this speed drops to 54 mph (87 km/h) at 15 psi (1.0 bar), or about 8 mph (13 km/h) less.
Lower pressures = worse road holding
AQUAPLANING
If tyre pressures are 30% below the recommended pressure there is a sharp increase in the risk of aquaplaning.
Lower pressures = higher risk of aquaplaning
BRAKING
In addition, tests show that braking distances from 56 mph (90 km/h) to 43 mph (70 km/h) are 40 metres at 29 psi (2.0 bar) but 45 metres at 15 psi (1.0 bar), that's 5m longer.
15 psi (1.0 bar) under inflation = 5m longer braking distance
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Tyres under inflated by 15 psi (1 bar) have increased rolling resistance leading to around 6% greater fuel consumption.
How to check your tyre tread wear levels
Because it’s the only part of the vehicle that grips the road, the depth of tread on your tyres is a very important for the safety of your vehicle. It also signals the health of the tyre. Driving with low tread depth increases the potential for tyre failure and aquaplaning. Low tread depth in winter weather conditions can severely reduce grip and control. Motorists driving with tyres under the legal limit also risk a fine.
Step 1 - Access the tyre tread
The first step in checking tyre tread depth is to get good access to your tyres.
- Park on a wide, flat and even surface in a safe place off the public highway with the engine switched off and put the keys in your pocket.
- Put on the handbrake (parking brake) and engage first gear (for manual gearboxes) or park (for automatics).
- Once you have clear and safe access to the tyres you can begin the inspection.
Step 2 - Check the tread
With the tyre tread you can begin to check the depth of the tread and the condition of tyre. Don’t rely on guesswork: purchase an easy-to-use tread depth gauge so that you can monitor your tyres. Measuring tread depth is not difficult with this simple device and requires only a few minutes of time.
The legal minimum tread depth in Europe is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width and round its entire circumference. Check the depth of the main tread grooves in several places across and around the tyre, using the gauge as instructed by its manufacturer. Tyres also have tread wear indicators moulded into the base of the main grooves. When the tread surface is worn to the same level as these indicators, the tyre is at the legal limit and should be replaced.
However you check your tyre tread depths, if they are approaching the legal limit or if you have any doubts, get them checked professionally by a tyre specialist at Auto Fast Fit.
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