PETALING JAYA: As the sole connection between vehicle and road, tyres are one of the most important safety components of a vehicle. Yet, many vehicle owners are ignorant of tyre maintenance.
A survey conducted by Bridgestone with 2,623 vehicle owners between 2014 and 2015 revealed that as many as 82% of respondents do not know the correct tyre inflation for their ride. Ignorance of tyre maintenance can lead to danger on the road as traction, performance in wet weather conditions and braking distance are all dependent on tyres.
So what causes tyres to blow out? The leading cause of tyres blowing out is under-inflation. Like balloons, tyres lose air over time. When tyres are underinflated, the sides of the tyres wear out faster and they become dangerously hot. The build-up of heat can lead to tread separation and tyre blowout.
Another leading cause of tyre failure is over inflation. Contrary to common thinking, pumping more air into the tyre is not always better. Pumping too much air into tyres will wear out the middle section of the tyre prematurely. This can cause the cord to break and reduces tyre life over time.
To stay safe on the roads, it is necessary to have proper tyre maintenance knowledge. Sometimes, just by looking, it is not possible to tell whether tyres are under or over inflated. As such, get a tyre pressure gauge and periodically check tyre pressure once a month, preferably in the morning before you start your driving journey in order to get the most accurate reading.
All tyres should have the same inflation pressure. Find the proper air pressure guidelines in your vehicle manual and never inflate a tyre past its maximum acceptable air pressure.
Drive safely, and stay safe on the roads!
