Don’t dice with death through tyre neglect

The condition of one’s car tyres can mean the difference between life and death.

It is crucial that you check them regularly to ensure they are not worn, which can compromise your or your family’s safety.

We spoke to two Ballito tyre specialists to highlight what you need to know about tyres, from when to replace them to how to get the most mileage out of them.

Tyre Track Ballito workshop manager Henry Mjaja said a tyre’s tread is designed to disperse water from the contact patch, allowing for better grip when cornering, accelerating and helping to prevent aquaplaning.

All tyres come with a built-in tread indicator.

“These indicator bars are moulded into the tread grooves at regular intervals around the tyre, and clearly shows when a tyre is worn to the limit. When this indicator is flush with the rest of the tread (generally 1.6mm), it is time to change your tyres,” he said.

But tyres are expensive to replace and many motorists test fate by squeezing the last drop out of their tyres despite the danger this poses.

Mjaja advised motorists to regularly inspect their tyres for wear and damage, and check the sidewalls for cuts, cracks or unusual bulges.

Also check the depth of grooves and whether the tread indicator is showing.

Don’t forget about your spare tyre, which can also save your life in a pinch, or spell doom.

“Spare tyres six years or older should only be used in an emergency. If it is 10 years or older, you should replace it,” he said.

Tyremart Ballito branch manager Nic Swart said the legal limit for tread depth in South Africa is 1mm. Swart said most tyre failures could be attributed to underinflation.

“A good way to ensure your tyres are correctly inflated would be to simply have them checked when you fill your fuel tank,” he said.

He said maintenance was key to getting the most out of your tyres, urging motorists to have balancing and alignment done at a 8 000-10 000km intervals, or when you have had a heavy impact such as hitting a pothole.

“It is also advisable to replace any worn suspension components as soon as they are noticed,” said Swart.

Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news

Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0

WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.