YOUR tyres are the only things that stand between you and the road. Therefore, their condition and maintenance should be of utmost importance, according to Nicholas McKoy, general manager of Chad-Ad Distributors Ltd, local suppliers of Maxxis tyres.

“They are the only part of the vehicle that’s supposed to be making contact with the road,” McKoy told the Jamaica Observer’s Auto magazine.

He, however, went on to stress that there is more to the picture that must be taken into consideration. While tyres are constructed with a mixture of materials, primarily rubber and metal threads, it is the air inside them that gives them their operational ability. They are pneumatic, meaning they require compressed air inside them to retain their shape. The volume of air inside them must be kept at a specific pressure for safe performance of their function.

“Air pressure is as important to tyres as blood pressure is important to a human. It can’t be too high or too low,” said McKoy.

The tyre supports the physical weight of the vehicle. This weight is spread across the contact patches of the tyre and the air inside each is what keeps it strong enough to do so.

The general manager said a common mistake is to use the pressure value on the side of the tyre.

“The sidewall marking is a recommendation and is the maximum pressure the tyre can take,” he said.

The actual tyre pressures are determined by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found normally on a sticker inside one of the door jams, usually the driver’s side.

“Other than that you can check your manual for the correct tyre pressures to run. If you find that the recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle is higher than the maximum rating on the sidewall on the tyre that means you have the incorrect tyre,” he said.

Running a tyre with incorrect tyre pressures can be a hazard.

“Too low and you increase the probability of a puncture. Too high and that changes the contact patch, reducing traction. Both, too low or too high, leads to premature wear,” he said.

McKoy advises that it’s best to check tyres when cold and adjust them after driving to whatever filling station is going to be used.

McKoy said Chad-Ad Distributors Limited had tyres for all types of vehicles.

“We stock a wide range of tyres for all applications… industrial vehicles, tractors, trailers, cars, you name it,” he said.

Started in 1997, Chad-Ad Distributors Limited has an outlet at Newport West and another on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.

Questions

1. What is one of the most common mistakes the drivers make with regards to tyres?

2. Where can the correct tyre pressure info be found?

3. How many locations does Chad-Ad Distributors have, and where are they?

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