LAVAL, QC, April 29, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadians, who have had to deal with some of the most severe winter road conditions in the world, are in large part masters of snowy and icy roads: still, they also need to be as vigilant in the face of common dangers associated with spring and summertime road conditions. As the busy summer driving season approaches and Canadians take to the open road, Michelin Canada wants to make driving safer with its new MICHELIN® Premier™ A/S tire, a tire that promises shorter stopping on wet roads, hydroplaning resistance and increased grip even when worn.
"With its new Premier™ A/S tire, Michelin is reaffirming its commitment to the safety of all Canadian drivers," says Adam Murphy, marketing director for Michelin Canada. "Until now, tires traditionally lost traction in wet conditions as the tread became worn, thus increasing stopping distances and the chances of hydroplaning. Yet, even when worn, the new MICHELIN Premier™ A/S featuring the EverGrip™ technology stops shorter on wet roads than leading competitors' brand new tires[1]."
Professional race car driver and Michelin driving expert Carl Nadeau encourages all Canadians to remain vigilant while driving this summer, especially in the event of rain: "Drivers are more than twice as likely to be in an accident on wet roads compared to dry roads[2]. It is particularly important for drivers to adjust their driving when roads become wet."
Michelin Canada encourages drivers to minimize the risk of on-road emergencies simply by preparing ahead of time, conducting proper safety checks and adhering to safe driving tips.
Check Your Tires: After all, tires are the only part of your car that touches the road.
- Check your tires for wear – Using the "Penny Test'', put the edge of the coin into the tread with the Queen going in head first. If the top of the Queen's head is covered by tread, that's good. If the top of her head is entirely visible, it's time to replace the tire.
- Check the air pressure – Tires have been known to lose up to 1 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure every month. Use a proper pressure gauge to check pressure when tires are cold (before driving or three hours after driving). Make sure your tires are inflated to the psi on the sticker inside the driver's door of your car. DO NOT compare to the psi on your tire's sidewall.
- Don't mix tires – If you're replacing only two new tires instead of four, be sure they are the same size and type as the current ones. Always install the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle, which will reduce the risk of fishtailing and loss of stability in wet conditions.
Wet Driving: Wet road conditions present dangers like less grip and longer stopping distance.
- Slow down. Slowing down dramatically decreases the risk of accidents in rainy conditions.
- Always drive with two hands on the steering wheel.
- Slow down before turning and maintain a consistent speed throughout the turn.
- While turning, don't make sudden steering wheel movements.
- Only brake in a straight line before the turn and do so gradually. Do not brake during the turn.
- Increase your following distance from other cars to allow for more stopping range.
- If hydroplaning, do not accelerate or brake suddenly. Keep your foot lightly on the gas and steer the car forward until your tires regain traction.
For more tips on safe driving, visit http://www.michelin.ca/tires-101/driving-and-safety-tips/driving-tips.page
About Michelin
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelinman.com) employs more than 22,000 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.
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*Based on internal wet braking test results from 60 and 80 km/h versus Goodyear® Assurance® TripleTred™ A/S tires in sizes 235/55R17 (99H) and P215/60R16 (94V), Bridgestone® Turanza™ Serenity Plus in size 215/60R16 (95V); using MICHELIN® Premier™ A/S tires in sizes 235/55R17(99H) and 215/60R16 (95V) buffed to 5/32"of tread. Actual on-road results may vary. |
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2012 NHTSA Report: Tire-Related Factors in the Pre-Crash Phase |
SOURCE: Michelin Canada
Paméla Blouin, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, 514 375-2721,514 346-3695, [email protected]
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