Tyre safety: driving in the rain | Garage Queffelec Quimper

In Brittany, rain is frequent. Your tyres are your only contact with the road. Garage Queffelec explains how to check their condition and adapt your driving.

The importance of tread depth

Tread depth determines how well your tyres evacuate water and therefore how much grip you have on wet roads.

Recommended depths

� New tyre: 8�9 mm depth
� Legal limit: 1.6 mm minimum
� Optimal safety: at least 3 mm
� Winter driving: 4 mm recommended

How to measure tyre wear

Several simple methods exist to check your tyres:

� Depth gauge: precise measurement in millimetres
� Coin test: the outer band must disappear in the tread
� Wear indicators: small raised bumps inside the grooves
� Irregular wear: often a sign of alignment issues

Adapting your driving in the rain

Safe driving rules

� Reduce your speed: around 20% less than on dry roads
� Increase distances: at least double the safety distance
� Avoid harsh braking: reduces the risk of locking or skidding
� Steer smoothly: avoid sudden movements
� Use your lights: be clearly visible to other drivers

The aquaplaning phenomenon

Aquaplaning occurs when your tyres can no longer evacuate water and lose contact with the road. The car then glides on a thin layer of water � a very dangerous situation.

Preventing aquaplaning

� Good tyre condition: enough tread depth
� Correct pressure: follow the manufacturer�s values
� Adapted speed: slow down on wet roads
� Avoid deep puddles: drive around them if possible

Tyre service at Garage Queffelec

We offer a full tyre check including:

� Accurate tread depth measurement
� Pressure check and adjustment
� Wear pattern analysis
� Replacement recommendations
� Free quote for new tyres