Tyre CARE is vital to the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users.
We are all tempted to continue using worn tyres just a little bit longer instead of replacing them – after all, a few extra kilometres won’t really matter. That’s short-term thinking. When it comes to tyres, it’s far better to take the long-term view and consider all the factors.
One thing to consider is that delaying the replacement of worn tyres can mean having to pay a fine on top of the replacement costs. The National Road Traffic Act states that it is illegal to operate a vehicle with worn or decayed tyres. The law stipulates that tyre tread should not be less than 1mm deep. The fine for contravening this regulation is a maximum of R500.
One should also bear in mind that worn tyres wouldprobably invalidate any insurance claim – insurers, quite understandably, demand that insured vehicles should be roadworthy.
Even more important is the safety question. Remember that worn tyres are unsafe and could actually cause a serious accident as these tyres puncture more easily or could burst while you are driving. Insufficient tread also means that braking and road-holding performance is greatly impaired, thus increasing the chance of accidents.
The first step to becoming tyre-wise is to check tyres regularly. Make it a habit to check your tyre pressure weekly, and at the same time inspect for wear and tear. Find out how to read the tread wear indicator.
If the tread is too shallow or any other signs exist that the tyres are not in tip-top condition, they should be replaced after consultation with a reputable tyre dealer.
