What kind of car tires are suitable and safe for the rainy season?
Driving during the rainy season requires extra caution. Drivemates must pay attention to how they drive, the roads they travel, and the condition of their car. The reason is, wet roads tend to be slippery and there could even be puddles at some points. Water creates a barrier between the tires and the road, which can cause aquaplaning or the vehicle losing traction when passing through puddles.
Therefore, paying attention to the condition of the car when entering the rainy season is something that should be prioritized, especially on the parts of the car tires that are in direct contact with the road. The following are things you need to pay attention to in the condition of your car tires so that driving in the rainy season remains safe.
Optimal gripping ability
The first thing to pay attention to about tires is their gripping capacity because this is what will prevent Drivemate from slipping or slipping when driving. Tires have tread grooves which function to maintain traction and break up puddles of water. Driving with bare tread grooves is very dangerous, especially during the rainy season because the tires have lost their traction.
It is recommended to use car tires with high performance or ultra-high performance to drive safely in extreme weather. This type of tire is designed to provide maximum traction and braking power on wet roads.
Inflate pressure according to manufacturer's recommendations
Many people think that reducing tire pressure during the rainy season will make the tires stick more to the asphalt surface. This assumption is not true. When the tire pressure is below the manufacturer's recommendations, the center of the tire will actually bend and not stick to the asphalt. On the other hand, if the air pressure is above the recommendation, only the middle of the tire will stick to the asphalt. As a result, both of them will not provide maximum grip.
That's why the air pressure in car tires must be adjusted to the manufacturer's recommendations. To see whether the pressure is appropriate or not, Drivemate can look at the B pillar of the car or the part close to the driver's door.
Control stability must be good
Next, choose car tires that have good handling stability, such as Dunlop GRANDTREK AT5. This type of tire is suitable for use on all terrains, especially on wet roads during the rainy season. Suitable for off road use, even better performance when used on road.
Dunlop GRANDTREK AT5 tires also optimize the tread pattern which is designed to be more durable and increase driving stability up to 20% better when turning or changing speed. Car tires with good handling stability can prevent aquaplaning on waterlogged roads.
Tires with the following tread patterns
The tread pattern is one of the important components of car tires. This pattern helps the tire grip better in dry and wet road conditions. When the rainy season comes, make sure that the tread pattern of your car tires is suitable for driving on wet roads. The reason is that the tire tread pattern requirements for wet and dry roads are slightly different.
However, several types of tires provide tires with tread patterns that can be used in all weather. Here are some tread patterns that Drivemate can use during the rainy season:
1. Unidirectional
Car tires with a directional tread pattern have a shape like an arrow or a pattern with the letter “V”. The main function of this tire is to break up water, so that drivers avoid the risk of aquaplaning when passing through puddles.
2. Symmetrical
This type of tire is most often found on today's cars. The advantages of being comfortable to use and not making noise are the main factors. Symmetrical tires have a simple design with a symmetrical outer rubber surface pattern on both sides. This tire functions to remove water so that the surface of the tire continues to touch the road.
3. Asymmetrical
In contrast to symmetrical patterns, asymmetrical patterns are characterized by different patterns on both sides of the tire. The inside has a busier pattern than the outside. This serves to provide strong traction when driving on wet roads. Meanwhile, the simpler outer side functions to increase traction when the car is cornering.
Always pay attention to the condition of the vehicle before driving, especially during the rainy season. Tires must be replaced regularly to avoid aquaplaning due to bald tires. Stay safe when driving, Drivemate!