Tyre safety tips
A BIG JOB FOR A SMALL SURFACE
The part of your tyre that is actually in contact with the road is only about the size of a man’s hand. Your safety, comfort and fuel economy depends on that very small surface. It’s important because your tyres:
- Are the only link between your vehicle and the road
- Carry the entire weight of your car, a load of up to 50 times their own weight
- Respond to driving inputs such as steering, acceleration and braking from the car to the road surface
- Absorb every obstacle on the road
A QUICK AND EASY SAFETY MEASURE
Make sure to regularly check the tread depth of your tyres and replace them when they are worn. This will guarantee maximum traction and grip, helping you avoid any unpleasant surprises. Your safety depends on a good level of tread depth because:
- The tread grooves disperse water from underneath your tyre, helping maintain control
- The more tread depth you have remaining on your tyres, the more water you can disperse and therefore reduce the risk of aquaplaning
- Correct air pressure as well as regular vehicle maintenance will ensure your tyres perform at their best for the longest possible time
- The tread grips to the road, affecting the distance you require for braking
CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE EVERY MONTH
Correct tyre pressure reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle. It also protects your tyres from premature wear and irreversible damage to the internal construction. Tyre pressure can drop due to small perforations, the natural escape of air through the tyre's components or even from a decrease in ambient temperatures. So it is important to check it once a month, because:
- Low pressure increases the risk of damage to your tyres
- Excess pressure of 20% can reduce the life of your tyre by up to 10,000 kms
- Correct tyre pressure will even save fuel
The recommended tyre pressure can be found:
- In the User's Manual of your vehicle
- On the labels on the side door beside the driver's seat
- In the storage drawer near the driver's seat
- On the inside of the fuel flap
But NOT on the tyre. The inflation pressure shown on the tyre sidewall is only the maximum tyre inflation pressure.
KEEP YOUR BALANCE FOR LONGER LIFE
Balancing helps prevent premature wear of your tyres and eliminates vibration. It also protects the suspension, steering system and bearings of your vehicle. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This will cause:
- Uneven and rapid tread wear
- Vibration
- More stress on front-end parts
- Front-end parts to wear prematurely
ENSURE SAFETY WITH CORRECTLY ALIGNED WHEELS AND AXLES
It is difficult to tell if your wheels and axles are correctly aligned while driving. But if your vehicle’s suspension geometry is incorrect, its road handling may be disrupted and your safety compromised. It’s important to ensure correct alignment to:
- Get the best road handling
- Protect your tyres from irregular and / or rapid wear
- Save fuel
FOR COMPLETE CONTROL, FIT YOUR NEW TYRES TO THE REAR AXLE
Rear wheels are not connected to your steering wheel, which makes it extremely difficult to judge their grip while driving. So for your safety, always fit new, or the least worn, tyres to the rear wheel positions to ensure:
- Better control in emergency braking or tight corners
- Less risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially on wet surfaces
- Better road holding, particularly in difficult situations, whether your car is front or rear wheel drive
VALVE CAPS PROTECT YOU AND YOUR TYRES
Valves and their components are ordinarily made of rubber, so they are subject to deterioration over time. Replace them when you buy new tyres. At high speeds, a cracked, deteriorated rubber valve stem can bend from centrifugal force and allow air loss. The valve cap is also important. It is the primary air seal and helps to keep out dust and dirt particles. You should check that your valves and valve caps are in good condition to:
- Maintain an airtight seal
- Maintain the correct tyre pressure
- Ensure longer tyre life
THE FIRST STEP TO REPAIR A TYRE IS TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL
When a tyre needs to be repaired, it is essential to have an authorised tyre retailer or technician remove the tyre from the wheel and inspect it from the inside. It is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted to the wheel. A professional will:
- Verify the internal condition of the tyre, detecting any damage not visible on the surface
- Ensure the correct methods and materials are used to repair the tyre
- Ensure the tyre is refitted correctly, optimising handling and comfort
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1- Switch the warning lights on.
2- Wedge one of the wheels.
3- Once the wheel clears the ground.
4- Remove the punctured wheel.
5- Lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
6- Return to the road, taking particular care. |
Safe Driving at Night
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Eyesight adjustment to the lights and shades
Your eyes need some time to adjust to the lights and shades on the road when driving at night. Lightings on the road may also affect your vision. Therefore, we need to take some preventive measures:
- Change the angle of your rear mirror to reduce the dazzling effect if the cars behind you use headlights on full beam for long period of time.
- Get out of the direct lights or block the lights from the cars in the opposite direction.
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Poor visibility on the roads
- Visibility will be reduced at night and that makes it harder for the driver to see the road ahead of him.
- The best solution to this issue is simple – slow down.
Safe Driving in the Rain
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The roads get slippery and visibility suffers in rainstorms. Drivers should:
- Slow down
- Keep greater safety distance with the cars in front of you.
- Turn on the dipped headlight and peripheral lighting
Special Reminder ★★★★★
Many drivers may ignore the fact that roads get more slippery in drizzle. Please keep an increased braking distance to ensure safety.
Safe Driving in Fog
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Visibility will deteriorate in foggy weather. Therefore, drivers should:
- Obey the speed limit and refrain from overtaking. The heavier the fog, the lower the speed must be.
- Keep greater safety distance with the vehicle in front of you so you’ll have enough distance and time to react to the emergency conditions before you.
- Turn on your dipped headlight, and fog lights – when the visibility distance is less than 50 meters, turn on the rear fog lights as well if fitted to your vehicle.
Safe Driving on Ice and Snow
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When driving on ice and snow, the drivers should:
- Slow down
- Keep greater safety distance with the vehicle in front of you
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The roads become very slippery when covered with ice and snow due to lack of adhesion. It is therefore very important to make proper preparation:
- Prepare adequate tools, including shovel, pick and safety triangle. You can also use snow chains on your tyres.
- Start your car steadily. Do not step on your pedal too hard.
- Keep a moderate speed – use lower gears to control the speed when going down the slope.
- Use your brake and accelerator properly and gently to avoid skidding or slipping.
Safe Driving in Mud
- Please stop your vehicle and inspect the road conditions when it is muddy. You should check the hardness and depth of the mud before moving on.
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Simple ways to decide if you can get across the mud
- Observe tyre tracks of other vehicles to gauge the depth and consistency of the mud.
- Decide the type of vehicles that have left the track from the sizes and widths of the track. Use that information as a reference to decide if you can get across.
Safe Driving in Winds
- Reduce your speed. Be prepared to stop any time so as to be always alert of the people or animals that may run onto the road.
- Use your horn when unstable objects are in sight. However, pedestrians or other motorists may not be able to hear the horn due to strong winds.
- If you are carrying cargo in the vehicle, please bundle the goods tight to prevent it from dropping to injure the pedestrians.
- Close the window so the dust won’t be blown into the cabin to affect your breathing or observation.
Safe Driving in Mountain Areas
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Before driving in mountain areas, you should:
- Check your vehicle carefully (the brake, tools on board and backup tires, etc.)
- Prepare food, appropriate clothing and emergency aids.
- Understand the weather and road conditions in the mountain area and choose your route wisely.
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When driving in mountain areas, you should:
- Slow down and remain on the right of the road at corners or when the view is blocked. You should also blow the horn in advance and never go speeding or overtake other vehicles because cars may come in the opposite direction any time.
Safe Driving on Highways
- You should never drive on highways with the speed higher than 110 km/h or lower than 60 km/h.
- You should turn on your indicator at least 50-100 meters before overtaking or shifting lanes. Do not steer suddenly or your may lose control of your car and roll over.
- After overtaking any vehicle return to the left hand lane.
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Special Reminder ★★★★★ Many drivers may ignore the fact that roads get more slippery in drizzle. Please keep an increased braking distance to ensure safety. |
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Special reminder ★★★★★ Sudden steering in high speed may result in accidents that can be avoided otherwise. It may cause the vehicle to sideslip into a collision or even over turn.
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Special reminder: ★★★★★ You should always have both your hands firmly on the steering wheel. This may save your life in case of a sudden flat tyre. |
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Special reminder ★★★★★ If your brake stops working before entering a curve, you should control the direction first try to apply the hand brake if the speed is below 30 km/h and then shift to lower gear quickly. The vehicle must be slowed down before entering the curve. Turn the steering wheel when turning directions.
Special reminder ★★★★★ You should always try to apply a little brake before going down the slopes, no matter how the road condition is. This is to test the brake in advance. |
Fatigue
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Negative effects of driving with fatigue
- Lower hearing and seeing acuteness that make it more difficult to identify hazardous conditions.
- Harder to concentrate on the roads.
- Extended reaction time.
- Reduced motion accuracy.
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Causes of fatigue
- Prolonged driving without proper breaks.
- Full stomach.
- Extended long working hours.
- Driving at night.
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Ways to prevent fatigue
- Take a minimum 20-minute break after continued driving for four hours.
- Don’t stare at the middle line on the road all the time.
- Keep the cab well ventilated at comfortable temperature while listening to some music.
- Stretch yourself to relax when taking a break.
- Don’t eat too much.
- Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Drinking
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Drink driving is strictly prohibited. Alcohol content in blood will increase after drinking and result in the following problems:
- The driver’s visual field will be narrowed and views blurred.
- The driver’s reaction will be slower and less accurate.
- Without a thorough understanding of the traffic conditions, it will be difficult for the driver to make judgments in advance.
- The driving may become emotional and careless; hence tend to take risky driving actions.
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Some examples of hazards when driving under the influence of alcohol:
- Under steering when swerving.
- Failure to see pedestrians who are crossing the road.
- Ignoring the traffic signals and disobeying rules at crossroads.
- Over-steering when changing lanes or turning corners.
Sickness
- Unless certified with the qualification to drive safely, handicapped people shall not drive cars.
- Discomfort and pains can distract you from focusing on the roads. Don’t drive under such conditions.
- The driver’s sensitivity and reasonability will be reduced under the emotions of anger, grief, melancholy and fear. He won’t be able to observe and think properly so don’t drive.
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