Safety Starts With the Tyres
Posted on: 21 May 2019
Car tyres are an essential part of the vehicle, especially when it comes to safety. The tyres are the only part of the whole car that comes into contact with the road; this means that they ought to offer the required traction and grip at all times, regardless of the surface that they are treading on or the weather at that particular time. Three things are crucial when dealing with tyres: the tread depth, the pressure of the tyre and the tyre condition.
Tyre Pressure
Every tyre has a pressure level recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle which should be observed at all times. The handling of the cars may be affected by incorrect pressures. Additionally, improper pressure may damage the tyre irreversibly. One should examine the tyre pressure at least once a month and, even more importantly, before going for long journeys. It is also important to remember that the tyre pressure may be affected by the level of heat. Therefore, monitor the tyre pressure when they are cold. As the tyres gain heat, the pressure increases, which is a regular occurrence as matter (air) expands when heated.
Condition of the Tyres
So, what really should one look for in a tyre? Two things: treads and sidewalls. These should be thoroughly inspected to ensure there are no signs of irregular wear or damage. Signs of irregular tread wear may include seeing tread blocks that are deformed within a particular area. Cracks within the treads are also an indicator of irregular wear. These deformities or breaks may be due to breaking, problems with alignment, suspension or even due to an unbalanced tyre and wheel assembly. Road hazards may cause damages to the sidewall. The risks could be anything from a piece of metal to rocks, nails etc. Cuts on the surface may be brought about by concentrated stresses or by sharp objects on the road.
Tread Depth
Most tyre manufacturers include wear indicator bars for the car owners to know how soon they should replace their tyres due to tread wear. These bars are usually raised areas at the base of the tread. The height of these bars determines the depth of the treads. The legal height of the wear indicator bars varies with different countries. Most vehicle and tyre manufacturers, however, recommend that the tires are replaced when the tread is 1.5 mm. Deep tread depth means that the vehicle can grip the road properly and avoid skidding.
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