Tyre safety tips before travelling
With the long weekend coming up, road trips are on the cards for many families.
AS the first term at public schools comes to an end, many people are looking forward to a trip away to their favourite holiday destination or to visit family members. For those planning to travel long distances by car these holidays it is essential that you ensure your tyres are in good condition. Dean Horn, Super Tyres managing director, says tyre safety should be a top priority to ensure your safety when you travel.
To avoid any problems when driving to your holiday destination, Horn offers these important tyre safety tips:
Inspect your tyres for damage
It is essential to regularly inspect your tyres for wear and any damage to avoid sudden problems. Check for cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and any other signs of damage or wear and tear. Keep in mind that while minor damage might not cause an immediate risk, the damage can worsen, especially when travelling long distances, and may result in severe safety consequences. Don’t forget to inspect your spare tyre, too.
Also read: Truck haulage and transport safety comes under the loupe
Check tyre pressure
Driving with incorrect tyre pressure can affect a vehicle’s handling and braking, particularly in wet conditions, which can create a serious safety risk. Driving on under-inflated tyres can cause heat build-up and premature failure. Under-inflated tyres are also less fuel efficient and wear out faster. Check tyre pressure when your tyres are cold (usually 3 hours after you have parked). Your car’s optimum air pressure level for its tyres can be found printed on the inner side of the car door, inside the fuel cap or in the car manual.
Check tread depth
Your tyre tread plays a crucial role in your car’s handling, helping you to control your vehicle easier in a variety of conditions and to stop as quickly as possible. Worn tyres can present a significant safety issue. In terms of the law, the tread on tyres must be at least 1mm deep across the tyre’s entire width over the full circumference of the tyre – this is the legal limit – but 1.6mm is safer.
Also read: Home safety rules
Respect the load capacity
Always ensure that all four tyres are the same size as specified by the vehicle manufacturer as well as the same speed rating and load index (including your spare tyre). Do not exceed the load capacity relative to the tyre’s load index. Tyres loaded beyond their maximum can build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre damage with severe safety repercussions.
Get your wheel alignment inspected
Inaccurate wheel alignment causes faster, uneven wearing on tyres, noises, vibrations and skidding while driving, causing potential safety risks. We recommend that you rotate and balance your tyres, and have wheel alignment done every 10 000km or before any long trip.
“If you are unsure about the condition and safety of your vehicle’s tyres, get them checked by a tyre specialist for peace of mind before heading off to enjoy your holiday,” concludes Horn.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
