Driving Safely

Reducing the possibility of accidents must be achieved with the quality of the vehicle and the original equipment but also, and above all, with some small actions, allowings one to drive in total peace of mind and safety.

Correct tyre maintenance is the basis of safe driving.

Unfortunately, this concept is still too often ignored and tyres are considered by the great majority of car drivers as non essential safety equipment. This is a serious misjudgment. Tyres are fundamental for our driving safety at least as much if not more than the 'well-known' components like ABS and the airbag.


Here are the main rules for managing tyres for 'safety driving' :

• Check the pressure with the tyre cold, at least once a month , including the spare wheel.
• Never reduce the pressure if the tyre is hot.
• Keep to the pressure values indicated on the use and maintenance manual of the vehicle for the different positions and for the type of use foreseen.
• Make sure that the tyre valve always has its cap and that it is only tightened by hand.
• With new tyres drive at a moderate speed for the first 300 kilometres (188 miles). Particularly for class H/V/W/Y/Z tyres, limit the speed for the first 50 kilometres (32 miles).
• After fitting the tyres, make sure the wheel bolts are correctly tightened after the first 100 kilometers.
• Violent blows against the pavement, potholes, and various obstacles may lead to internal tyre damage, which is not immediately evident or visible; in this case, have the inside of the tyre checked by an expert.
• Have the wheel balancing checked periodically.
• Regularly control the tread depth and the uniformity of wear.

• Performance on wet roads (traction in aquaplaning) diminishes in proportion to the decreasing thickness of the tread. The depth of the tread must never be lower than the legal limits (1.6 mm for cars, Italian Law no. 142 Art. 66 dated 18/2/1992) . However, to remain within the safety margins, in all weather conditions, which may change without warning, we recommend replacing the tyres when the tread is about 3 mm. In The U.S., most states have laws declaring that tyres are worn out when only 2/32" of tread remains. However, to remain within the safety margins, in all weather conditions, we recommend replacing the tyres when the tread is about 4/32".
• In order to maintain the driving behavior characteristics of the vehicle, it is recommended to invert the tyres on the axles without changing sides approximately every 10,000 Km (6,250 miles) .
• If the tyres show irregular consumption, check the mechanical parts of the vehicle and when recommended make sure the wheels rotate correctly.
• If only two tyres are replaced, fit the new ones on the rear axle whether or not the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.
• If wheels and tyres are used temporarily (spare wheel) , scrupulously abide by to the conditions of use established by the vehicle manufacturer and never exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) .
• If summer tyres are replaced with winter ones, try to fit both the axles of the vehicle with 4 identical tyres.
• If the vehicle is parked for more than two weeks, remember to increase the tyre pressure by 0.5 bar (7.25 psi).
• Tyres age even if they are used little or never. Cracking in the tread and sidewall compound, sometimes accompanied by blistering are signs of aging. Before using these tyres it is a good idea to have them checked by a specialist. In any case after five years, no matter how many kilometers (miles) have been covered and no matter what the tread depth is, all the tyres should be controlled, including the spare wheel.
• For reasons of safety connected to use (high speed), it is not recommended to repair tyres with speed codes V/W/Y/ZR. If in doubt consult a specialist or contact the tyre manufacturer.

Finally, always avoid:

• prolonged use of snow chains on roads without snow
• using tyres with a speed code and load index not suitable for the vehicle
• repairing tyres with sidewall damage
• parking on patches of oil, diesel and solvents in general
• using hydrocarbons to clean the sides of the tyres