PROMO
L’usura delle gomme è tra i principali responsabili di incidenti stradali. Ecco quando bisogna cambiare pneumatici e dove acquistarli
Se c’è un aspetto critico della manutenzione dell’auto che non andrebbe mai sottovalutato, questo è certamente l’usura degli pneumatici.
Pensiamoci bene: a tenerci sulla strada ci sono oggi decine di sistemi elettronici, che ci assistono nelle partenze, nelle frenate, in curva contro lo slittamento, ma alla fine la nostra auto scarica la potenza del motore sempre e soltanto tramite le quattro gomme. Contro l’usura degli pneumatici, infatti, non c’è sistema elettronico che possa fare miracoli.
Non c’è mai una regola universale su quando sia necessario cambiare le gomme alla nostra auto. There are many factors that can make a set of tires much less efficient and safe: the age of the tires, the average temperature of the asphalt when the car is in motion, the temperatures to which the tires are subjected when the car is stationary and, above all, the type of road we drive on and the number of kilometers we drive.
Ten thousand kilometers on a road in excellent condition do not put as much stress on the tires as ten thousand kilometers driven on a very damaged road, full of potholes, with hot asphalt. But fifty thousand kilometers are too many even if we cover them on a smooth road. Moreover, if we fit winter tires, we must always remember that they can only be used during the period prescribed by law (on average between mid-November and mid-April). By alternating summer and winter tires, of course, each set of tires lasts much longer.
What is certain, however, is that the law states that a tire must always be replaced when it is seriously damaged and when the residual tread has reached a depth of 1.6 mm. If we go around with 1.5 mm of tread we are at risk of safety (and at risk of a fine: 78 euros and 2 points off the driver's license). If the tread of your tires is approaching this limit, then you'd better go to your tire dealer to have your worn tires replaced.
If you want to save money on tires, but not on safety, you can buy them from an online tire store like AUTODOC, where you will surely save a few tens of euros. Keep your car's registration book handy, so that you can see (on the third page) the size and speed codes of the tires you can fit.