A new test from the German organization ADAC warns against a potentially dangerous situation that many drivers overlook when they drive with winter tires in the car.
According to the German response to the FDM, ADAC, loose tires can pose a serious danger during traffic, especially during sudden braking or accidents.
When the winter tires need to be changed, many choose to let the workshop carry out the task and therefore transport the tires in the car.
But often the luggage compartment is too small, forcing the driver to fold down the back seat to make room. Here, the tires are often left in the car.
An unloading that, according to ADAC's new test, can be dangerous. In the event of a collision, these loose tires can transform into projectiles, potentially seriously injuring the occupants.
ADAC's test was carried out by placing four loose tires in a Volkswagen Golf V and simulating a collision at 50 km/h. The results showed that the loose tires during a collision can move with great force, hit the front seats, tear off the headrest and continue forward towards the windscreen.
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The organization estimates that the weight of the tires at the moment they hit the rim, for example, corresponds to around 600 kilos. Should a tire hit a person in the car, it is likely to result in serious injury or, in the worst case, death.
According to ADAC, drivers themselves can take simple precautions to avoid these risks. The best solution is to secure the tires using heavy-duty tension straps that go through all four tires and are secured to the floor of the boot.
This prevents the tires from moving during braking or accidents. Alternatively, a luggage net can be used to secure the tyres.
ADAC also recommends that the rear seat backrest is always kept upright whenever possible. If there is no space to carry all four tires safely in the trunk, it may be necessary to place a single tire between the rear seat and the backrest of the front passenger seat.
The organization strongly advises against passengers sitting in the back seat while tires are being transported, as the risk of damage is high if the tires are not secured properly.
This simple but important warning from ADAC emphasizes that means must be found to make the transport of winter tires much safer. Conversely, the government here at home will not introduce any statutory requirement for winter tyres. Read more about it here .
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