Though UAE residents have already started feeling the heat, the official summer period is just about to begin – at 1.44am on June 21, to be exact. UAE’s summer months are also expected to last until September 23.The average temperature in the beginning of this year’s summer is expected to range from 25 degrees Celsius at the minimum and 41 degree maximum.However, the temperature will be ranging between 28 and 43 degrees Celsius in the middle of the season, and finally cooling down to 21 and 39 degrees Celsius at the end of it. With the temperature in the UAE starting to rise, a proper check of your tyres should be a priority to protect them from the heat and ensure your safety before hitting the road this summer. And with the onset of summer, the risk of road accidents due to broken tyres is further increasing.
High temperatures can become a serious problem for tyres, especially if they are not properly maintained. “Incorrect inflation pressures, poor wheel balance and alignment also contribute a reduction in tyre life and safety,” motorists should look for any visible signs such as deep cracks, exposed cables, cuts or uneven wear of the tyres.
It is important to regularly check the tread depth at several points on the tyre and consult a specialist, in case of any doubt. Replacing tyres no later than five years, or earlier if the remaining tread depth is below 1.6 mm at any part of the tire tread band. Tyres must also be replaced if there are other signs of wear or damage, for examples, cracks or cuts in the sidewall and parts of the tread band are damaged.
We can check the age of tire easily by checking the four digit code stamped on the outside wall which is the date of manufacture. For example, 1914 is the 19th week of 2014. This means this tire is over five years old and needs to be changed.
On a typical car tires will last around 30,000 – 40,000 kilometers. If you have driven this many kilometers since changing the tires, then it’s time to get them checked. If the tread depth is under 4mm you are advised to change them.
Things to be considered while checking the tyre.
1. Wear and Tear
Regularly check the state of all four tyres at the same time for signs of obvious or abnormal wear and tear. Look for any visible signs such as deep cracks, exposed cables, cuts or uneven wear of the tyres. It is important to regularly check the tread depth at several points on the tyre and consult a specialist, in case of any doubt. The minimum legal tread depth required is 1.6mm for passenger car tyres.
2. Pressure
Check the pressure of tyres at least once a month. Apart from the fat that they wear more quickly, poorly inflated tyres affect the overall performance of the vehicle, including braking distance, handling, safety and fuel consumption. Checking of tyre pressure should be done at least once a month. Check the pressures when the tyres are “cold” when the car hasn’t been driven for at least two hours or for not more than 3km, in order to obtain the most precise measurement. If the pressure is checked when the tyres are “warm” , then 0.3 bar should be added to the recommended level. These checks must be carried out on all four tyres, as well as the spare wheel.
3. Balance
Ensure that tyres are not properly balanced. In case of vibration through the steering wheel or through the vehicle body, the tyres could be incorrectly balanced. Have them professionally balanced at a reputable dealer. It will help to avoid uneven and premature wear of the tyres as well as reduce excessive stress on the suspension components.
4. Alignment
Have the alignment of tyres checked by a professional. Whenever the vehicles drives over a large object on the road or hits a pothole or pavement, the wheels could become misaligned. This can affect the handling of the vehicle and will cause the tyres to wear unevenly and prematurely.
5. Flat tyre
Take the car to a reputable tyre dealer for examination in case of a flat tyre. The car dealer will be able to advise in case there is any damage to the tyre’s structure and if it is repairable or not.
6. Tyre rotation
Rotate the tyres in accordance with the vehicle manufacture’s recommendation. By switching tyres front to rear ( usually around 5,000 km), wear is optimized over the four tyres.
7. Suspension
Keep an eye on the suspension. Old or worn shock absorbers can cause faster tyre wear and impact vehicle handling. Hence, it is important to keep a watchful eye on the suspension.
8. Load
Never overload the vehicle. Overloading increases tyre wear and fuel consumption, adversely affecting vehicle handling and stability, and increasing the braking distance.
In case you are unfortunate and you have a blown tyre whist driving, not to hit the brakes hard.Ease off the accelerator and lightly apply the brakes until the car comes to a stop. If possible and it’s safe to do, drive the car to the side of the road and apply hazard warning lights. Mostly all car insurance policies include a recovery service so call and get the recovery driver to get you nearest garage to change the tire. Changing it on the highway is incredibly dangerous, so leave the car and move to a safe spot whilst you await the recovery driver.
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