AQUAPLANING and Bald Tyres

AQUAPLANING and Bald Tyres

Bald Tyres: Change your tyres at 3 mm to avoid aquaplaning

Managing Halifax’s Wet Roads: Aquaplaning and Bald Tyres

Greetings, fellow citizens of Halifax! Rainy weather, the horror of treadless tyres and aquaplaning, and other everyday tribulations are topics that are near and dear to our hearts and commutes, so let’s talk about them today. The safety of our local roads is at stake, not only a damp road. Without mentioning our neighbourhood tyre specialists at Pellon Tyres, we would be remiss in delving into this topic.

Think about this:

As you make your way through Halifax, the skies decide it’s the best moment to unleash a torrential deluge. The world appears to be dressed in its finest shade of grey, and the roads reflect the light. At that moment, the unsettling feeling of your car seemingly dancing to its own beat sets in. It is my pleasure to introduce you to aquaplaning.

But how does aquaplaning work precisely?

That exhilarating feeling you get when you’re driving through Halifax on a water slide instead of the road because your tyres lose traction because of the water.

Now we can incorporate bald tyres into this scenario. Old, worn-out treads, or bald tyres, aren’t the best choice for driving in the rain. Our cherished local roads are in danger because their weakened grip makes it difficult for them to push away the water.

The bad bits

So, compared to their well-treaded counterparts, bald tyres aren’t very good at dispersing water. Cruising through Halifax or the M62 motorway on a wet day can be quite the experience due to the layer of water trapped between your tyres and the asphalt.

But have no fear; the local tyre champs, Pellon Tyres, have come to rescue the day. Their extensive background and familiarity with Halifax’s specific topography and climate allow them to provide you with the ideal answers to ensure your safety and command.

Tyres made to withstand rain are only one of several options available from Pellon Tyres. They have the perfect tyres to keep you safe on Halifax’s difficult roads, whether it’s raining or there’s an unexpected heavy shower.

However, the safety of our community is more important than making a profit from tyre sales. When you visit Pellon Tyres, you can expect helpful, knowledgeable advice from a staff that takes pleasure in assisting customers in selecting the best tyres for their vehicles.

Ultimately, when it comes to the rainy roads of Halifax

Nothing is more dangerous than aquaplaning and bald tyres. However, you may avoid problems by arming yourself with knowledge and purchasing the correct tyres from Pellon Tyres. Keep your tyres in great condition by visiting the reliable local specialists at Pellon Tyres whenever you need advice or new tyres. No matter the weather, let’s stay on the roads of Halifax and keep our cars firmly planted!

As we all know, this has been one of the wettest years here in the UK. I say this because when I was driving along the M62 motorway, I noticed that many parts of the motorway were flooded and had large areas of standing water. On all the carriageways. This meant one thing to me: “AQUAPLANING”.

Unfortunately, we know this in the tyre industry. That many motorists are putting off buying new replacement tyres. All our sales figures are down. So the mixture of bald tyres on these very wet roads is a disaster waiting to happen. As I am writing this blog, some motorists will be experiencing aquaplaning when driving along the motorway at speed with no tread left on their tyres. as I say this is a disaster waiting to happen, and it will happen; “mark my word”

What is aquaplaning on bald tyres?

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Aquaplaning – Why It’s More Dangerous Than Ever on Yorkshire Roads

Of course, “aquaplaning” is a word that many of us of a certain age remember from the old Goodyear Tyres adverts back in the 1970s. It was one of those memorable motoring safety messages that stuck in the mind.

But today, ‘aquaplaning’ is no longer just an advertising phrase — it’s a very real and growing concern.

With our changing climate, heavier bursts of rainfall, faster road networks, and ever-increasing traffic levels around Halifax and Calderdale, aquaplaning is becoming more common than many drivers realise.

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What Exactly Is Aquaplaning?

Aquaplaning (sometimes called hydroplaning) happens when a thin layer of water builds up between your tyre and the road surface.

When this happens:

• The tyre can no longer grip the road
• Steering becomes ineffective
• Braking distance increases dramatically
• The vehicle can skid or slide

In simple terms, your car is momentarily “surfing” on water instead of driving on tarmac.

And once grip is lost at speed, control can disappear very quickly.

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Why It’s More Common Now

In Calderdale especially, we’re seeing:

• Sudden heavy downpours
• Standing water in dips and valleys
• Worn road surfaces
• Poor drainage on older roads
• Increased traffic pushing water around

Modern vehicles are also heavier and faster than they were in the 1970s. Larger SUVs, electric vehicles, and vans all place greater demands on tyres in wet conditions.

That means tyres today have to work even harder to disperse water safely.

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The Importance of Tread Depth

One of the biggest factors in preventing aquaplaning is tread depth.

The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.

But here’s the honest Yorkshire truth:

Waiting until 1.6 mm is far too late for wet weather safety.

Once tyres drop below around 3 mm of tread, their ability to clear water reduces significantly.

A tyre with 6–8 mm of tread can channel large volumes of water away from the contact patch.
A tyre worn close to the legal limit simply cannot do the same job.

That’s why we always advise customers at Pellon Tyres to start thinking about replacement before tyres reach the legal minimum.

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How Tyre Manufacturers Combat Aquaplaning

All leading tyre manufacturers design their tyres with wet performance as one of the key priorities.

This includes:

• Deep circumferential grooves
• Wide lateral channels
• Advanced silica compounds
• Flexible tread blocks
• Optimised contact patches

Manufacturers spend millions in development and wet testing to improve aquaplaning resistance.

For example, Michelin developed what they called the “Anti-Surf System” in tyres such as the Michelin Pilot Sport 3.

This design helps:

• Disperse large volumes of water
• Maintain road contact in standing water
• Delay the onset of aquaplaning
• Improve steering response in heavy rain

The additional shoulder design helps push water away more effectively, especially during cornering — a common risk point for aquaplaning.

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Speed Matters More Than People Realise

Aquaplaning risk increases dramatically with speed.

At lower speeds, tyres can usually clear water effectively.
At higher speeds, water builds faster than the tread can disperse it.

Even with good tyres, hitting standing water at motorway speeds can overwhelm the tread.

That’s why reducing speed in heavy rain isn’t just cautious—it’s essential.

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Vans and SUVs – A Special Warning

Around Halifax, we see plenty of:

• Vans
• Pickups
• SUVs
• Work vehicles

Heavier vehicles place greater pressure on tyres and often carry loads that affect stability.

Worn tyres on a van travelling at speed in heavy rain are a serious accident risk.

This is especially true on roads like:

• The A629
• The M62 corridor
• Calder Valley routes
• Hilly rural lanes with poor drainage

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What Should Drivers Do?

To reduce aquaplaning risk:

• Keep tyres above 3 mm tread
• Check tyre pressures regularly
• Slow down in heavy rain
• Avoid harsh steering or braking in standing water
• Replace mismatched or unevenly worn tyres

Regular tyre checks — like the free checks we offer at Pellon Tyres — can prevent problems long before they become dangerous.

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Final Thoughts – Yorkshire Common Sense

Aquaplaning isn’t new.
But with today’s weather patterns and road conditions, it’s more relevant than ever.

A good set of tyres with proper tread depth is one of the best safety investments any driver can make.

In Yorkshire, where heavy rain can appear without warning and valley roads collect water quickly, tyre condition truly matters.

It’s not about fear — it’s about being prepared.

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