Tyre safety is one of the most important components of a roadworthy safe vehicle. And this is one area drivers often come short. You have to have the right tyres for the job.
Getting your vehicle tyres right is key to staying protected on the road. They serve as the only interface between your car and the road. Even though the contact area is very small, tyres are essential for the stability of the vehicle and your ability to bring it to a stop at all times even when the weather or road surfaces are not ideal.
Bad tyres are often characterized by little or no grip. With insufficient grip, your vehicle will take longer to come to a stop. This is very dangerous. Below we’ve listed some of the tyre safety facts that can help you to remain safe and legal on the road.
The Tyre Laws
ADR23 specifies the construction specifications for all tyres fitted on Australian vehicles.
- The first tyre law states that at all times, your vehicle must be fitted with tyres of the correct type and size.
- The second law states that your tyres must be above the legal limit all the time.
With constant use, tyres begin to wear out and deflate. At this point, they begin to lose their tread and grip and becomes a threat to your safety. Ensure your tyre depth remains at the legal limit of 1.6mm. When they reach this point, they must be changed. We recommend that you change your tyres at 3mm. This way you’ll stay as road safe as possible.
General Tyre Information
Before purchasing a new tyre, you should take note of certain important information. Apart from having the right type and sizes needed, you must take the following into account:
- Speed symbol
- Load index (for maximum load)
- All season or winter
- Treadwear (with further temperature grades)
- From a trusted brand
If you don’t understand or can’t figure out what this means, talk to a consultant.
Tyre Inflation and Pressure
Inflating your tyres correctly is a critical part of road safety. When they are underinflated, they can build-up heat damaging the internal structures. When overinflated, tyres can become fragile, any hard impact will lead to a puncture. These tyre failures can cause accidents. Get a tyre monitoring system installed on your car. It will alert you to any reduction in tyre pressure and help prevent an accident.
Ageing tyres
It is important to regularly change your tyres. They deteriorate with age and some age faster than others. An ageing tyre can lead to accidents with dire consequences. The following will help you spot an ageing tyre.
- Deformity of the tyre body
- Distortion of the tread
- Tyre wall cracking
- Vibrations through the tyre when you drive.
If you find an aged tyre on your vehicle, have it removed and replaced immediately. Any tyre older than 6 years should be disposed of due to deterioration. Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions before using your tyres.
