Many of us take our tyres for granted; a mistake that can have dire consequences not only for the driver and passengers, but also for other road users.
South Africa has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world, and ensuring vehicle tyres are in a good condition is one easy step to making you and your car safer.
Tyres can be expensive to replace, and unfortunately many people believe they can get another few more hundred kilometres out of their existing tyres before changing them, when in fact this is not the case.
To keep yourself, your passengers, and other road users, safe, it is important to replace your tyres if they need replacing. Checking tyres regularly is also important as the rate of deterioration of tyres is not something that happens overnight; it is a gradual process but can become urgent if left unchecked.
To help you get the most out of your tyres, and to ensure they are always good enough to be on the road, here are some tips:
- Check all tyres when you fill up your tank
- Park your car with the front tyres at an angle to make it easier to check their tread depth
- When using a specific filling station, use a different machine to check your tyres in case there is a problem with the one you use all the time
- Check the tyre pressure indicator in your owner’s manual or in your car, and inflate your tyres according to the load they will carry. Don’t over, or underinflate, your tyres
- If there appears to be a problem with any tyre, get it attended to immediately. If you are unsure get it checked by a tyre specialist
- Only buy tyres from reputable tyre dealers, not from the side of the road. Remember, a good deal now may cost you more later on
- Ensure your tyres are properly balanced and that the wheel alignment is correct
- Don’t delay replacing tyres if they are worn
It is also important to note that if you are involved in a crash and it is established that your tyres were the result of the incident, your insurance claim may be refuted.