MOT Advisory Notice question

jase1

Absolutely, but in the absense of that being the case, the weakened grip of a near-bald tyre exceeds the effect of driving improperly. And braking at the correct distance isn't always possible outside the confines of the textbook.

Put the two together of course and you get carnage. But please don't start this bloody-mindedness again about speed being the sole contributor to accidents.

mikey72

jase1 wrote: »

Absolutely, but in the absense of that being the case, the weakened grip of a near-bald tyre exceeds the effect of driving improperly. And braking at the correct distance isn't always possible outside the confines of the textbook.

Put the two together of course and you get carnage. But please don't start this bloody-mindedness again about speed being the sole contributor to accidents.

?
Do I assume that's a random insult, or are you particuarly pro-speeding?

jase1

mikey72 wrote: »

?
Do I assume that's a random insult, or are you particuarly pro-speeding?

No, it was in answer to what I took as a veiled response to the effect that provided someone is driving to an appropriate speed, all other factors -- tyres included -- go out of the window.

If that isn't what you meant, then I apologise.

Given the demonstrable dangers of driving on near-bald tyres, I would personally be in favour of a reduced speed limit for those drivers who use tyres under 3mm of around 30-40% less than those on new tyres, to accomodate the lack of grip.

Or, alternatively, a change to the outmoded law.

mikey72

No.

Although we do have intermeshing laws that allow tyres with 1.6mm tread to be used at 70mph.
So the arguement that all modern cars are safe at 80mph, or 90mph, and the law should be changed doesn't make sense then.

There are still a lot of old cars, that won't be safe.
My 1967 car has a steering box that is a bit unpredictable at 70mph,at 80mph I'd probably only be safe in the middle lane, and still be using the other two.
There are a lot of modern cars with 1.6mm on tyres that won't be safe, wider low profile tyres are a lot worse as the water can't get out.

A lot of people don't look at their tyres, a lot change at 3mm because figures show it's better to.
I tend to change mine when the grip in the wet changes, so somewhere between the two.

Until all the laws that are relevant to driving at speed change, we're were we are though.

Maybe a combination of speed rating, profile, and tread depth is required.

jase1

Although we do have intermeshing laws that allow tyres with 1.6mm tread to be used at 70mph.

Yes, and the government is proposing a change to the law to allow 80mph limits on some motorways. This is a frightening prospect combined with the above.

A lot of people don't look at their tyres, a lot change at 3mm because figures show it's better to.
I tend to change mine when the grip in the wet changes, so somewhere between the two.

Likewise -- I change at 3mm, or when I start to feel a difference, whatever comes first. I am a tyre-fitter's wet dream with all the legal tyres I dispose of, although as I indicated in another post I am tempted to keep them in future, lose the £1.50 disposal fee and get £5-10 back on each old tyre on ebay, given that they are likely to be re-sold anyway.

So the arguement that all modern cars are safe at 80mph, or 90mph, and the law should be changed doesn't make sense then.

It would make sense if certain other laws were changed -- taking the very worst Chinese import tyres off the market might be a good start, as these really do become lethal when down to the legal limit. I didn't feel happy at 40mph on one car I had to drive for a day -- worst of all worlds, a knackered 12 year old Kia with dodgy suspension and four mismatched budget tyres, two of which were marginal (and not even on the same axle). This car was perfectly legal (had passed its MOT only a month previously) but it was a flaming death-trap, all over the shop on damp roundabouts for example, it just glided around.

The problem isn't necessarily the speed limit -- it's numpties following the law to the letter rather than using their common sense.

Flying-High_2

jase1 wrote: »

I didn't feel happy at 40mph on one car I had to drive for a day -- worst of all worlds, a knackered 12 year old Kia with dodgy suspension and four mismatched budget tyres, two of which were marginal (and not even on the same axle). This car was perfectly legal (had passed its MOT only a month previously) but it was a flaming death-trap, all over the shop on damp roundabouts for example, it just glided around.
.

So you took a death trap car with dodgy suspension out with 4 mismatched tyres 2 of which had marginal tread in damp conditions?.....

You need stringing up:rotfl::D Did you really have to drive it?...

jase1

Unfortunately I had no choice -- it was that or nothing. I only used it for 5 miles either way to work, didn't realise what a shed it was until I got behind the wheel and it was pretty much too late, I was young and stupid at the time and I gave the owner an earful when it was returned to him.

Would I do it again? Bloody hell no. I learn by my mistakes thanks lol.

Flying-High_2

jase1 wrote: »

Unfortunately I had no choice -- it was that or nothing. I only used it for 5 miles either way to work, didn't realise what a shed it was until I got behind the wheel and it was pretty much too late, I was young and stupid at the time and I gave the owner an earful when it was returned to him.

Would I do it again? Bloody hell no. I learn by my mistakes thanks lol.

Of course you had a choice...Could of walked 5miles to work instead of potentially causing a serious accident due to dodgy suspension and mismatched bald tyres........:D

We never stop learning;)

jase1

As I say, I was young and stupid

cyclonebri1

Flyboy152 wrote: »

I was responding to another poster who was suggesting that the MOT tester was trying to recommend something unnecessary. Checking tyres takes but five seconds, very easy to do. However, Mankysteve tells me I am wrong, I then respond that I wasn't.

Of course I understasnd that but, I was making the assertion that a motorist must not can check and ensure their tyres are safe legal.;)

Don't fret, we are both singing the same song, ;)