Report by G.Meylemans/D. Collins
Bridgestone
Brussels–More than 90% of motorists drive on under-inflated tires which can put their safety at risk. Checking tires condition and pressure, loading carefully the vehicle and using dedicated tires for caravans are some of the key holiday tips given by Bridgestone.
Under inflated tyres put safety at risk
We’ve heard it before, but few of us do it correctly: “Check your tyre pressure regularly, and especially before long journeys.” It is a fact that driving on incorrect pressure can be both dangerous and costly. The most common fault is under inflation because tyres loose air pressure naturally over time, like a balloon. If your tyre pressure is too low, you lose handling control and your tyres become less durable due to stress and heat build up. Low tyre pressure also costs you money: the wear life of a tyre is halved if pressure falls from 2.2 bars to 1.0 bar. Worse still, it adds an extra load on the environment. Low pressure increases your tyre’s rolling resistance on the road, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher emissions. It really does make sense to check your tyre pressure regularly.
Don’t forget your caravan tyres
If you’re towing a caravan this summer, pay special attention to the tyres. Caravan tyres are similar to car tyres, but are designed with higher load capacity and greater resistance to lateral forces to improve stability in the wind. These differences are key – don’t ever be tempted to fit car tyres on a caravan!Another difference with caravan tyres is that they are used less often; maybe only once a year. Tyre condition should therefore be checked very carefully before the vacation. Firstly, check that there is nothing that could cause vibration, such as stones lodged in the tread. Then check the pressure while the tyres are cool. And check for tread wear. Most owners don’t go to their dealer for a new set until the tread surface has dry cracks. This is already much too late. Even without any visible signs of wear, caravan tyres should be changed after 10 years on average. See your tyre dealer for more information.
Load it carefully
It’s fun loading a caravan for vacation – but don’t get carried away! Try not to take more baggage than you need, don’t overload the rear, and spread the load evenly across the caravan to reduce the risk of zig-zag and instability. Remember: driving an overloaded caravan is not only an offence, it can be very dangerous too. And always carry a spare; you never know when you might need it.
Bridgestone studies show much work to be done
Unfortunately, too many drivers still fail to check their tyres regularly. In conjunction with the FIA Foundation, Bridgestone has conducted more than 67,000 tyre inspections across Europe since 2005 as part of the global “Think Before You Drive” road safety campaign. The findings are alarming: more than 90% of motorists drive on under-inflated tyres and 40% have at least one tyre significantly below the recommended pressure. If you are driving your family on vacation this year, please make sure you check your tyre condition and pressure before leaving. For your safety, your wallet, and the environment. A lithium ion battery with a charge capacity of 6.8 Ampere-hours (Ah) serves as an auxiliary energy storage device with a maximum power output of 22 kW. The battery is charged by recovered braking energy (recuperation) or by the fuel cell. This increased functionality and efficiency does not impair the interior space of the vehicle. The battery system is installed in the trunk beneath the dual cargo floor available on the production Tiguan. The 700 bar hydrogen tank was integrated in the area beneath the floor in the rear bench seat and cargo area. It can hold up to 3.2 kilograms of hydrogen (H2).
Basic operation of fuel cells
The key component of each individual fuel cell – a number of them are combined into a stack – is a proton-conducting membrane. It is located between each anode and cathode pair. Hydrogen flows on the anode side, and air flows into the cell on the cathode side. When many of these cells are combined in a stack, enough energy can be generated to drive a vehicle. In each cell, hydrogen and oxygen react to form water on the cathode side. The fuel cell thereby converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy in an oxidation, or “cold” combustion process. The generated “exhaust” is clean water vapor. The fuel cell is supplied fuel from the hydrogen tank and oxygen from the air by an external air inlet and outputs the electrical energy it generates – the power – via a converter and a downstream electrical system rectifier – to one or more electric motors. The Tiguan HyMotion is nearly silent when driven, and it is emissions-free.
Bridgestone Europe NV/SA
Bridgestone Europe NV/SA - with European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium - is a key division of the Bridgestone Corporation. It develops and manufactures top-quality tyres in Europe which, through its 17 subsidiary sales companies andother channels, are distributed all over Europe including the Eastern European markets. Products are also exported outside
Europe, including to Japan.
Tags: Bridgestone, Car Safety, tyres
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