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E-mail: info@rubbersa.com Web: www.rubbersa.com Secretariat: Etienne Human & Associates
The purpose of this document is to promote tyre safety and reduce negative influences on the environment.
SATMC (SA TYRE MANUFACTURERS CONFERENCE) Members of the Association
TYRE MATTERS The SA tyre market contains many unsuitable tyres that is not only eating away at our labour in the industry but also creating a safety hazard on the roads with tyres that cannot handle load and speeds.
Second Hand Goods Bill Business Against Crime and South African Police Service (SAPS) have drafted a bill (that includes tyres) to:- "Regulate the business of pawnbrokers and dealers in second-hand goods, to limit the trade in stolen goods, to promote ethical standards in the second-hand goods trade, and to provide for matters incidental thereto." This bill is due in 2009.
Second Hand Tyres The local South African Tyre Industry is currently experiencing major problems with second hand tyres sold into our markets. This is eroding the new and retreaded tyre markets. For example up to an estimated 20% of passenger tyres sold in S.A. are secondhand tyres! The SA manufacturers underwrite the following:
The illegal selling of second hand imported tyres are eroding the local tyre market and causing unnecessary deaths on the road. Department of Transport reported close to R40 billion was spent on road accidents.
border control Problems are being experienced with the dumping of tyres in RSA. This raises the risk profile of quality and places a burden on SABS and the Traffic authorities. Like many other commodities, you get what you pay for. This especially applies to safety and longevity of tyres.
ITAC (International Trade Administration Commission) New Tyre and Casing Importers must have a valid import permit. Casings imported must be imported by the party that owns the permit and only be used by that importer to retread the casings. They may not be sold as second hand, or passed onto any other retreader.
Import Control Act International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa No R3 - 2 January 2004 (III) Hereby determine that an import permit, except for the conditions specified in the permit, shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) That only goods of the class and kind specified in the permit may be imported: (b) that the permit may not be in any other manner be transferred by the holder thereof to any other person or may not be used to the benefit of anybody not referred to in the permit. (c) that the permit shall be valid for clearance for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of for such shorter period as indicated in the permit. (IV)(a) Goods referred to in schedules 1,2,3 and paragraph (I)(b) above shall not be shipped unless the importer is in possession of an appropriate valid importer permit issues in (b) goods for which the importer cannot produce a valid import permit shall be deemed to have been importer in contravention of the International Administration Act 2002,
SA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (SABS) All tyres that are imported or sold in RSA have to be homologated by SABS. That means tyres have to conform to SABS standards, and if imported, have a valid import permit from International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) before the tyres are allowed to enter into RSA.
To check whether the tyres on your vehicle are legal and homologated please check the SABS website: www.sabs.co.za, Regulatory division, Vehicle and components, Tyres, Homologation tyre database.
Tyre tips If no rotation period is specified in your vehicle owner's manual, it is recommended that tyres be rotated every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres. The first rotation is the most important. When tyres are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tyre wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Check Alignment of Tyre Regularly! Spare Wheel . Many motorists cannot remember ever having checked their spare wheel, so in the case of tyre failure, it may involve a costly mobile breakdown service. Often the tyre on the spare or emergency wheel is deflated or the wheel may need different bolts from the ones used on your alloy rims.
Make sure you have the correct bolts to fit the spare, and check the pressure on your spare wheel regularly! Remember! The tyre on your spare wheel also requires having the legally prescribed minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.
Caravan and Trailer Tyres Many caravans and trailers stand exposed to the elements, like sun, rain and cold weather for long periods between uses. This causes deterioration of the tyre components, which can lead to sudden tyre failure when loaded or traveling at speed. caravan and trailer owners should also check for bulges, lumps and cracks that could indicate tyre deterioration.
Space-saver tyres Motorists whose cars are fitted with a space-saver spare or different size spare tyre should not use it with other tyres on their vehicles indefinitely; they are incompatible with the other tyres on the vehicle and could pose a serious safety risk over long distances.
Speed Symbol on tyres The description of the tyre size on the sidewall contains the speed limit. For example 195R15S indicates a speed maximum of S which specify a maximum speed of 180km per hour.
Smooth Tyres Smooth tyres on a vehicle require over 25% longer distance to bring the vehicle to a halt. At the same time, the driver loses control and the vehicle follows it own route during the emergency. A smooth tyre used on a public vehicle is very likely an old tyre, thus the tyre compounds have become hard over time and it loses its "gripping" ability. That is also why a tyre worn 90% of its tread seem to "last" a longer time. The hard tread wears down at a slower rate than new. The owner is thus under the false impression that the tyres have some tread left whilst the soft tread surface required for good adhesion has been lost. The problem becomes even more hazardous in wet weather for obvious reasons.
Tyre Wear is unavoidable . but subject to influence. Improper use can result in premature tyre wear or even tyre failure. While poor mileage is mainly an economic problem, accidental tyre damage can prove very dangerous and result in personal injury or damage to vehicles.
A smooth driving style contributes decisively to gradual, uniform tyre wear.
Tyre pressures The correct air pressure for your tyres is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge, door-post, and glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The number listed on the side of the tyre is not the recommended air pressure for your tyre -- it is the maximum air pressure for the tyre. You should check your tyre's air pressure at least once a month. Check the tyres tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids and aquaplaning
Reading Tyre Codes Passenger tyres i.e. 205/55R15 V
1. Manufacturer 2. Product name 3. Size Markings 205 = Tyre width on rim 55 = Aspect Ratio R = Radial construction 15 = Rim diameter in inches 4. 87 V= Load and Speed index 5. Tubeless 6 & 7. E4 = E-mark approval no. 8. Manufacturer code and serial no. 9. DOT = Dept. of Transport - USA 10. TWI = Tread Wear Indicator 11. Country of manufacture 12. USA Load rating 13. Tread / Sidewall Construction 14. Max. Inflation Pressure 15. Treadwear Rating = USA 16. Traction = USA 17. Temperature = USA
Waste Tyre Problem The Waste Tyre Collection Project is underway. DEA&T has published the Waste Tyre regulation on 01 April 2008 for public comment. For more information on this project please go to overview
It would be of great assistance if the public could be made more aware of tyre maintenance. Please contact us should you require copies of this news letter so it could be placed in your reception area and be available to your customers.
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