Ten tyre safety tips everyone should know
Don't become a statistic! This is how you can maintain your tyres and prevent causing car accidents.
Neglecting your tyres can put your life and those of other road users in danger. Sadly, most of us don't give much thought to our tyres until it's too late.
According to research by the CSIR, nearly 20% of accidents involving minibuses have tyre failure as a contributing factor. This doesn't exempt light motor vehicles. Another report states that during the 2018 Easter weekend, the Department of Transport arrested an astounding 1,698 drivers for driving vehicles with worn tyres.
Good car maintenance can save lots of lives.
Here are safety precautions you need to adhere to:
- Buy good tyres from a reputable tyre dealer, because they will last longer, and the quality will be guaranteed. Look out for the SABS stamp of approval before buying any tyres.
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- Check your car’s manual for the size and type of tyres that are recommended for your car. Also, remember that all four tyres should be of the same size, speed rating and construction.
- Many motorists make the mistake of over or underinflating their tyres because of not checking the tyre pressure indicator in their owner’s manual or car. Make sure you inflate your tyres according to the load they will carry. Otherwise, inflating your car incorrectly will reduce the tyre to road contact and will shorten the tyre's life.
- Regularly check all your tyres for punctures, penetrations, cuts, and bulges and after driving on potholes. After checking, replace tyres that are faulty or worn out as soon as possible.
- The tyre pressure, including the spare, should be checked at least once a week.
- Only check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold.
- Always ensure that your tyres are properly balanced and that the wheel alignment is correct.
- Always check for loose or missing wheel nuts. Torque wheel studs or nuts to correct setting.
- Buy a good all-rounder tyre that offers low rolling resistance, good fuel consumption, enough grip, aquaplaning resistance, and stopping power in all weather conditions.
- Stay away from buying tyres that are more than ten years past their date of manufacture.