If there’s one part of your car that you cannot afford to neglect it’s your tyres. Essentially the only part of the car that physically comes into contact with the surface of the earth, they transmit the power to the road to get your car moving. Sadly far to many motorists neglect their tyres and as a result usually end up paying for it either by having to replace their tyres earlier than usual or by the loss of the vehicle in an accident when the tyres have been pushed past their limits. Modern tyres have been designed to work under immensely adverse conditions but it is important to remember that they too require the occasional check to ensure yours as well as other fellow motorist’s safety. Following the 4 simple rules below can save you a lot in the long run and will contribute to the safety of not only your family but everyone else around you.
Fit the correct tyres to your car:
Vehicle manufacturers utilise a multitude of mathematical equations to determine what size tyre your vehicle should have. The Shape, Width, Profile and Tread type are all specifically selected for the type of vehicle and its intended purpose. Changing the size of tyres can affect not only handling characteristics of a vehicle, but give you false readings on your speedometer citing your speedometer has been calibrated for use with the factory tyre size as specified by the manufacturer. It is usually not a problem to change brands of Tyres as long as the brand offers the exact same tyre size as specified in your owner’s manual. A common South African mistake is to purchase tyres from a non-reputable dealer for affordability’s sake. These tyres are often imported from other countries and as a result they are not designed for the unique road conditions in South Africa. These tyres will not only suffer from longevity problems but will also be prone to other failures considering they will be utilised in an environment that is ‘not fit for purpose’ they will just cost you more money in the long run. If your car is fitted with run-flat tyres DO NOT change to standard Tyres before checking with the manufacturer as this might void your warranty. Once your warranty is up you can consider a conversion to standard Tyres but make sure you get the advice of your manufacturer so as to minimize the impact the new tyres could have on handling, grip and even electronic tyre pressure monitors or Electronic Stability Programs.
Tread:
The legal limit for tread in South Africa is 1mm. Not only will you be breaking the law if you are on or below this but it is downright dangerous in wet conditions. Most modern tyres have a tread wear indicator which is a raised bump in the groove of the tread which tells you when your tread is wearing thin. When the level of the surface area of the tyre is at the same level as the tread wear indicator you need new tyres. Tread grips the road whereas the grooves disperse water in wet conditions, have one without the other and you are putting yourself and others in danger.
Pressure:
Tyre pressure is of utmost importance to the longevity of your tyres, not only will it improve their life span but it has a direct impact on handling and grip characteristics too. Tyre pressure is indicated by the owner’s manual and often on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door or on a sticker on the inside of the fuel filer opening.
Over inflated tyres will have less grip, as some of their surface will be pulled away from the tarmac, will wear unevenly and will make the ride a lot harsher for passengers. Over inflated tyres also tend to be more affected by debris and potholes in other words the chances of damage occurring is higher on an over inflated tyre versus a properly inflated tyre.
Under inflated tyres can cause blow-outs which can lead to severe loss of control and ultimately a bad accident. Under inflated Tyres are not able to withstand the loads placed on them properly and the extra friction causes excessive heat build up and ultimately failure.
Have your tyres pressure checked regularly. At least every second time you fill up your tyres should be checked for correct pressure. A good visual check monthly will also help to ensure that you notice any damage quickly and can take the correct repair action or replacement before it is too late. Check for punctures, cracks, bald patches and bubbles. Signs of any of these will mean the tyre is not fit for road use and should be checked, repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
A good way to check if your Tyres are inflated correctly is to do the following.
- Draw a chalk line across the entire width of the surface that comes into contact with the road on each tyre.
- Drive the car for a few metres until the chalk starts to wear off, inspect as per the following:
If worn off more at the centre than the edges, the tyre is over inflated. If worn off more at the edges than the centre, the tyre is under inflated. A correctly inflated tyre should let the chalk wear off evenly as it is driven forward.
Balancing and Alignment:
Correctly aligned wheels will ensure that your tyres wear evenly and provide the best possible grip in any situation. Correctly Balanced wheels will not only ensure a smoother ride but will ensure the tyre rotates with optimum precision. Have your wheels aligned and balanced every 10 000km’s by a reputable garage or tyre specialist centre.