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In our day to day life, while driving our car we apply brakes numerous times. At times the brakes are applied at high speeds on the highways, whereas, sometimes they are used in slow moving city traffic conditions. But do we know anything about the braking distance or stopping distance of our car? Most of us are not aware of the importance of braking distance, as to how crucial this aspect is with regards to car safety.
Generally, braking distance is the distance that a car covers while slowing down to a complete halt. So let’s learn about the braking distance of a car, and how it can be calculated.
The stopping or braking distance of a car broadly depends on two key factors.
a) Brakes of a car
b) Tread depth left on the tyre
Besides the above two, to some extent, it also depends upon the ‘thinking’, as to how quick you respond to an obstacle on the road or sense the impending dangerous situation on long routes.
Imagine a car is moving at a speed of 80 kmph and brakes are applied. Now let’s see under various tread depths how much distance will it cover to halt completely.
- If the tyre tread depth is of a good 7 mm, the braking distance will be around 4 ft.
- Moreover, if it tread depth is 5 mm or 3 mm the braking distance will be about 4.6 ft or 5.4 ft.
- While, in case the tread depth is as less as 1 mm, the stopping distance can be a risky 7.5 ft.
Furthermore, when it comes to safety under wet conditions, it largely depends upon the state of the tread rubber. If there is no adequate tread left on the tyres, there are all chances of hydroplaning.
In order to prevent such tricky situations always check for tread depth indicators that appear in the tread grooves. The indicators are placed at a depth of 1.6 mm of the tread grooves. However, it is suggested to replace tyres before these indicators become evident. As your tyre care professionals, we at tyremarket.com advise you to swap tyres at a tread depth of 2 mm.
