TYRES remain a dangerously overlooked component of car care in South Africa, sometimes with fatal consequences.
This is the view of the Automobile Association (AA).
Tyres are the only thing between you and the road and, because of this, ensuring their continued good condition is vital. Any tyres which are bald, or under or over inflated, can be dangerous.
In terms of Regulation 212 of the National Road Traffic Act, tyres must have at least 1 millimetre tread and, if it falls below that figure, motorists may be fined.
Some tyres have wear indicators in the tread pattern to show when the tread depth if less than 1.6mm.
In these cases, if the tread on the tyre is level with these indicators, the tyre must be replaced as it is considered un-roadworthy.
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Worn tyres will also have an impact on the ability of the vehicle to stop properly, posing yet another danger.
A simple way to test this is to insert a match horizontally between the treads on the tyre.
If the match is level, the tread may still be good. However, if the match protrudes from the tread, it is time for a replacement.
Another important maintenance routine is to check the inflation on your tyres.
Under-inflation can cause tyre bursts. Because under-inflated tyres have more rolling resistance, they will also increase fuel consumption.
Over-inflation reduces the cushioning power of the tyre, making it more susceptible to impact, penetration, and abrasion.
AA-PR58-Pic 6
Photo by Philip Purnell (AA)
Over-inflation also means there is less contact with the road surface which has a negative impact on road handling.
If you are unsure of the correct inflation for your tyres there are several ways you can check.
There should be a sticker on the car, usually inside the driver’s door, that indicates the correct inflation levels.
Alternatively, motorists can consult their owner’s manual, or even visit a tyre fitment centre for advice.
Given the critical nature of tyres, they must be checked regularly.
The association also encouraged motorists to check the wheel alignment and wheel balancing of their tyres.
The purpose of wheel alignment is twofold; it reduces the wear of the tyre and ensures that vehicle travel is straight and true, without pulling to one side.
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