Navigating Wet Weather Roads: The Importance of Tread Depth and Tyre Choice
Driving in wet weather conditions presents several obvious challenges, such as decreased visibility and less grip on the roads. The primary defence against these dangers is ensuring that the tyres on your vehicle are in good condition, and have a good amount of tread depth remaining. As well as having good tyres, adjusting your driving technique to allow more stopping distance, slower cornering speeds, less aggressive acceleration, using your headlights and indicating for longer periods will all contribute to a safer driving experience.
The Significance of Tread Depth
The effectiveness of tyre treads in dispersing water diminishes as they wear down. In Australia, our legal minimum tread depth is 1.5 millimetres, but for optimal safety in wet conditions, a depth of at least 3 millimetres is recommended. Routinely inspecting and replacing tyres with worn treads is crucial, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Get your Tyre Pressure Correct
An often-forgotten about aspect of tyre grip and performance is tyre pressure. Ensuring that your tyres are running the recommended tyre pressures is a fantastic way to maximise the amount of available grip.
Tyre pressures that are too high will reduce the size of your tyre contact patch, and tyres pressures that are too low reduce the tyres ability to press water out of the way, leading to increased risk of aquaplaning.
Choosing the Right Tyres for Wet Weather
If you regularly drive your vehicle in wet weather, consider the type of tyres you get fitted, next time you’re up for a set. For example, ultra high performance sports tyres typically perform exceptionally well in dry conditions, but middle of the road when it comes to wet sealed surfaces.
Tyres such as all terrain and mud terrain tyres, whilst performing great off road or in tough conditions, will begin to aquaplane or perform poorly in wet weather earlier than other tyre types, especially in heavy rain or standing water. The larger tread blocks simply can not evacuate enough water from under the tyre, resulting in a higher chance of aquaplaning or loss of traction.
Generally touring tyres and highway terrain tyres perform the best on wet roads thanks to their highly optimised tread patterns and smaller tread blocks that remove water from unde the tyre more effectively.
Safe Driving Practices in Wet Weather
Besides having the right tyres, safe driving habits are essential in wet conditions. Reducing speed, avoiding sharp turns, and maintaining a safe following distance are critical for minimising risks while driving in wet conditions.
Another important thing to remember is ‘summer ice’. A term used to describe the oily, greasy coating that builds up on road surfaces in between periods of rain. As soon as this surface gets wet, it significantly reduces the level of traction available. Watch out for summer ice the first time it rains after a dry spell. Summer ice usually dissipates after a few hours of constant rain.
Additionally, regular tyre maintenance, including rotation, balancing, and alignment, is key to ensuring longevity and optimal performance.
Drive Safe In All Conditions
Safe navigation of wet roads requires both driver skills and a vehicle that is kept in good condition. If you’re not sure about the state of your tyres, bring your vehicle in to Mobile Tyre Legends today for a tyre checkup. We can also provide expert advice and product recommendations to suit your needs, your vehicle and your budget.
Contact us today by calling 0475 888 338 or visit our workshop, conveniently located at Sydney .
Jermaine Punzalan
Founder of Mobile Tyre Legends
Author: Jermaine Punzalan
Jermaine Punzalan is a mobile tyre fitting professional with over a decade of experience.
He has a passion for problem-solving and a commitment to delivering a premium tyre service focusing on solution-oriented approaches.
Contact Jermaine on 0475 888 338 for legendary service.