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Do drivers really understand the importance of tyre safety and what it involves?
Failing to maintain your tyres can put your life and the lives of your passengers and other road users at risk. Worn tyres reduce the control and grip you have on the road, can double the distance it takes for you to bring your car to a stop, and may increase the risk of punctures and blowouts.
To ensure that you reach your destination safely, check your tyres’ pressure and tread regularly, and examine them for any internal or external signs of damage. It’s also important to notice if your car is shaking unusually or producing any strange sounds, as these could be indications of tyre-related problems.
A tyre specialist will be able to help you assess your tyres thoroughly, and will ensure that your tyres are properly balanced, aligned and rotated. Taking these simple steps not only keeps you safe on the road, but also increase your tyres’ longevity and save you money.
As the only part of your car that has contact with the road, your tyres are directly responsible for getting you from A to B safely. To do this, it’s critical that they’re in good condition. This means that they must have sufficient tread, the right pressure, and no internal or external signs of damage. It’s also important that they’re the right size for your car and they have been properly balanced and aligned.
But despite the importance of driving with safe, roadworthy tyres, many drivers neglect theirs until there’s a very obvious problem or, even worse, until an accident takes place and it’s too late. Which begs the question: Do we really understand the importance of tyre safety and what it involves? Here, we answer this and other tyre safety-related questions to ensure that you and your vehicle reach your destination without a scratch.
Worn tyres are responsible for 70% of all accidents on the road and over 9,000 deaths a year – accidents and deaths that could have been prevented. If your tyres haven’t been properly maintained, they can negatively affect everything from your steering to your acceleration and braking. Worn tyres can double the distance necessary for you to stop, putting your life and the lives of your passengers and other road users at risk.
Tyres that are bald, under or overinflated, or unevenly worn can increase the possibility of punctures and blowouts, which could cause you to lose your grip on the road. This is particularly dangerous in wet conditions, when you car could aquaplane.
The safety of your tyres is so important that it is regulated by law. In South Africa, you have to have a minimum tyre tread depth of 1mm across the width of the entire tyre. If you fail to meet this requirement, you could be fined or your car could be impounded. What’s more, if you’re in an accident and your tyre tread is below the legal limit, your insurance company will likely refuse to pay your claim.
There are several important criteria that you need to bear in mind when it comes to tyre safety:
The tyre safety motto is simple: look after your tyres and they’ll look after you. Keeping a close eye on the checklist above and visiting a tyre specialist to balance, align and rotate your wheels at least every 10,000km will keep your tyres in shipshape. Also, if you hit a pothole or an obstacle in the road, it’s always a good idea to have a technician inspect your tyres for any damage. Although they might look and feel normal to you, an expert will be able to spot any problems that could put the integrity of your tyres – and your safety – at risk.
Finally, it’s as important that you maintain the tyres that are attached to your car as you maintain the tyre that isn’t. If anything goes wrong, it’s your spare that will take you from the side of the road to the nearest middle-of-nowhere town. All of the checks you perform on your tyres apply to your spare too. It’s also necessary to replace your spare occasionally, even if it’s only rarely used, as spare tyres are especially susceptible to losing their structural integrity over time.
Having your tyres regularly inspected by a tyre specialist not only keeps you safe, it can also increase your tyres’ longevity and save you money. To find out how Supa Quick can help you, contact your nearest Supa Quick fitment centre today.
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