Tyre safety can be the difference between life and death when driving on the road. A visual inspection, along with the use of tyre-checking devices, can determine a tyre’s condition to determine whether or not it is safe.

Courtney Hedge, master technician at ATL Automotive – Honda, said a visual inspection may reveal a bulge which is a major defect to the tyre’s integrity. According to him, the tyre must be replaced as continuous friction with the road will cause it to blow out.

Aside from the bulge, a worn tyre is unsafe as there will not be enough treading to hold the road surface when the vehicle brakes. In wet conditions, the vehicle loses traction and doesn’t grip the road as it should when there is adequate treading.

“A tyre can wear quickly depending on the surface it is exposed to, how it is used, and the elements that it is exposed to. If the tread wear is measured to be 1.6 mm and below, that tyre should be changed immediately. A depth gauge tool can be used to measure the tread wear,” said Hedge.

In addition to tread wear, the expert said expired tyres can be very hazardous.

“The Department of Transportation (DOT) standard stipulates that tyres be no more than 10 years old; some manufacturers recommend six years old. Ageing tyres lead to dry rot and as the rubber deteriorates, the tyres become more unsafe,” said Hedge.

Air pressure is another key component to tyre safety. Different vehicles have different stipulations for air pressure.

“Overinflation of the tyre can cause wearing on the middle of the tyre, lessening the grip on the road, reducing the control of the vehicle, and resulting in a bumpy ride. There is a strip in the door jamb of most vehicles with the information for your car,” he said.

Underinflation is equally dangerous, as the fast wearing of the tyre will occur on the outside, causing it to go bad quickly. The driver also stands the risk of the rim cutting the tyre as there won’t be enough air pressure to cushion the rim from the road.

“The correct air pressure helps with fuel consumption, underinflation leads to more fuel use,” said Steve Chin, service manager at ATL Automotive — Honda.

A bent rim can also be dangerous to the tyre. An excessive bend on the rim can cause the tyre to lose balance because of a slow leak.

“A tyre pressure monitoring system comes with most of the newer vehicles and will alert the driver if the tyre is losing pressure. A tyre pressure gauge can also show if the pressure has been lowered; it’s something you can feel mostly,” said Hedge.

Hedge advises that the valve seal can become worn over time and cause the air to leak slowly. He recommends that when a new tyre is being fitted to the car, a new valve should also be fitted.

When a tyre is damaged to the extent that it has to be replaced, it is recommended that you know the size specification for your vehicle and stick to it. The numbers on the tyres show the width, height and diameter. The rim should always be the same size as the tyre.

To ensure the safety of new tyres, they must be aligned and balanced.

“Wheel alignment and balancing are critical to the safe performance of the vehicle. A vehicle out of alignment will cause tyres to wear unevenly, thus shortening the life of the tyres. Wheels out of balance will cause discomfort when driving and affect the safe operation of the vehicle. It can also damage the wheel bearing, and as such is very important,” said Chin.

Some drivers opt to purchase used tyres instead of new ones. Chin cautions that the driver may buy a used tyre that was repaired (punctured or chopped) and will run the risk of a blowout while driving. The tyre may also have internal damage in the rubber, based on what that tyre was exposed to while it was previously operating.

“When buying used tyres ensure the tread depth doesn’t pass the 1.6 mm limit. Ensure you can’t see the cords, and be sure the tread pattern is worn evenly. In addition, look out for visible signs of road damage,” said Chin.

ATL Automotive — Honda is located at 47 Hagley Park Road in Kingston. Call: 1-888-ATL-SERV or email: sales@atlautomotive.com