Nokian Offers Vacation Safety Tips for Consumers - Tire Review Magazine

Nokian Offers Vacation Safety Tips for Consumers

As summer vacation season reaches its peak, Nokian Tyres is reminding travelers to check the air pressure and condition of their tires before hitting the road.

“While this simple step provides both the safest and most fuel-efficient travel, most drivers fail to make it part of their travel checklist, and the consequences could be serious,” according to the tiremaker.

During the summer travel season, tires are subjected to a number of significant stresses in the form of high summer temperatures, heavy luggage, long trips and high speeds, all of which can lead to potential failure. 

Road Safety
According to the 2008 German Automobile Association ADAC breakdown statistics, 7% of all breakdowns are caused by defective tires and wheels.
 
Based on ADAC’s road tests, if the tire pressure of a front wheel is 15 psi below recommended levels, the braking distance increases by 10% on wet roads. If all tires have an inflation pressure of 15 pdi too low, the lateral grip of the tires is reduced to nearly half (55%) of their normal functionality. The risk continues to escalate the heavier the load a vehicle is carrying, Nokian said.

“On the other hand, when tire pressure is too high, safety is also a concern: the contact area becomes narrower leading to less road grip, which can cause the tire to only wear in the center,” the tiremaker said.

Nokian noted its tires include a Driving Safety Indicator, which shows the groove depth as a number between 8 and 2. An aquaplaning indicator warns of hydroplaning with a water drop symbol. It fades when the remaining profile is down to 4/32nds, which indicates a statistically higher risk. To avoid aquaplaning and to have a short enough braking distance on wet roads, the main grooves must have a minimum depth of 4/32nds.

Fuel Savings
In addition to raising safety concerns, tires with low air pressure increase fuel consumption. With pressure only 0.4 lower than necessary, a car consumes 2% more fuel on average, and the wear of the tire is 30% higher. “Proper inflation not only increases fuel efficiency, it dramatically improves the life expectancy of the tire. For additional fuel efficiency, consumers should also consider using tires designed to be eco-friendly, especially for long trips,” Nokian said.

“Low rolling resistance eco-friendly tires like the Nokian H or even UHP tires with relatively low rolling resistance like the Nokian Z G2 can save up to half a gallon of gas in roughly 250 miles,” said Teppo Huovila, vice president of research and development. “A rolling resistance that is lowered by 40% saves 6% in fuel.”

Because they improve fuel efficiency, eco-friendly tires also produce less CO2 emissions. Strategically designed to address today’s environmental concerns, both the Nokian H and the Nokian Z G2 premium tires were rated “highly recommended” by the ADAC test, according to the tiremaker.

Before You Go
While drivers should routinely make examinations of each tire, it is especially important to do so several days before a vacation or long trip to allow adequate time to make any necessary adjustments or tire changes. Air pressure should always be checked on cold tires and tires should be filled to a higher pressure when carrying a heavy load. To find the correct inflation pressures, drivers should refer to the information inside their gas tank door or in their car’s instruction manual.

You May Also Like

Yokohama Rubber reveals 2024 motorsports activity plan

Yokohama said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands.

Yokohama-Nitrocross

Yokohama Rubber revealed its motorsports activity plan for 2024. The company said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands and is again participating in a wide variety of motorsports events around the globe, from top-category to grassroots events.

Yokohama Rubber will again supply its Advan tires to many teams participating in motorsports events, such as Japan’s Super GT, the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Yokohama Rubber’s GeoLandar tires will be supplied to teams participating in off-road races in North America and Asia, including the Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, the Mint 400 and the Asia Cross Country Rally.

TIA’s Advanced Farm Tire Service training to take place in June

The training class for technicians in the agricultural and farm tire industries is set to take place June 11-14.

TIA_training-
Maxxis-sponsored athletes make podium, overall top 10 at Mint 400

Maxxis athletes Michael McFayden, Ethan Ebert and Trey Gibbs had podium finishes at the Mint 400 on Maxxis RAZR XT tires.

2024-mint400-maxxis
Sun Auto Tire reveals winner of Ford Bronco Sport giveaway

Lowell Anderson entered the giveaway at his local Sun Auto Tire & Service store while receiving a routine oil change.

Sun-Auto-Bronco-giveaway
Nokian Tyres holds bracket challenge on worst roads in North America

In 2023, the tiremaker’s audience voted Quebec as the province or state with the worst road conditions on the continent.

Pothole-Protection-from-Nokian-Tyres

Other Posts

Gallery: 2024 Big O Tires conference and convention

Highlights from this year’s Big O Tires conference and convention, featuring a general session, trade show and breakout sessions.

Gary-Skidmore
Bridgestone’s Firestone Liberia rubber farm receives ISCC Plus recognition

According to Bridgestone, its Liberia facility earned the ISCC Plus certification for its efforts in reducing environmental impacts.

Firestone_Liberia
Ascenso Tires adds new OEM sales manager

Douglas Duesing has more than ten years of experience working in agriculture, construction and mining OEMs.

Ascenso-Douglas-Duesing-1400
Nexen Tire Motorsports drivers earn top placements at King of the Hammers

Nexen Tire Motorsports partnered with drivers across a variety of racing series both on- and off-road, including King of the Hammers.

Nexen-KOH