Do not tire out your tyres
JOHANNESBURG – Take better care of your car tyres, it could save your life and the lives of other road users.
A vehicle’s tyres are constantly in contact with the road and need to be maintained.
MotorHappy, a company which provides information about motoring journeys and management products, said tyres are exposed to constant wear and tear.
Managing director of the company, Kerry Cassel, explained that, unfortunately, the condition, maintenance and care of a car’s tyres are often neglected by South African motorists.
Cassel stressed that considering that South Africa has one of the highest road accident rates in the world, with tyre failure contributing to nearly 20 percent of all accidents, according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and motorists cannot afford to neglect them.
She added, “Even if your car has the best braking system in the world, if your tyres are worn and neglected, it would be far more difficult to avoid an accident. The good news is that there are many measures motorists can take and simple checks they can do to ensure their tyres are in tip-top shape before they go on their next journey.”
Below is advice from MotorHappy on vehicles:
- Ensure the wheels are aligned: Wheel alignment helps your tyres perform at their peak and also helps them to last longer. If your wheel alignment is out, the tread on your tyres will wear unevenly, your car will either pull to the left or right, and your steering wheel will be off-centre even when driving straight, and your steering wheel will vibrate.
- Maintain the correct pressure: Not only is maintaining the correct pressure an important factor for the performance and general care of your tyres, but it is also essential for a safe driving experience. Under-inflated, tyres can easily overheat, while over-inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling on the road.
- Check for external damage: Driving over an object on the road, hitting a pothole or impact between the tyre and a kerb can often cause cuts, lumps or bumps on your car’s tyres. This type of damage needs to be checked by a tyre specialist as soon as you notice it, as it can result in sudden tyre failure such as a blowout.
- Keep an eye on tread depth: You might regard the tread on your tyres simply as patterns, but the fact is, your car relies on the tread to grip the road and brake in the shortest space possible. This means that braking distance increases as the tread on our tyres wear out, which is why you should inspect your tyres regularly to ensure they still have sufficient tread. In South Africa, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, it is against the law to drive with worn tyres, and by doing so, you’re potentially putting your life and that of those around you in danger.
Read more:
Tyre tips that everyone can use
Seven tips for fixing your flat and staying stress-free
