Fact:  

Checking your tyres! 

Check the condition of your tyres - it can save your life! 

Do the tyres need to be replaced? Is the correct size and type of tyre fitted? Are they balanced? Is the wheel alignment correct? Are they correctly inflated? Visit a reputable tyre dealer and obtain the correct advice. 

Beware of buying secondhand tyres, especially repaired, regrooved or patched ones.

TYRE INFLATION: 

Under-inflation of tyres can cause overheating, which weakens the road-holding of your tyres. It may also cause  irregular wear and the tyre could break apart due to internal damage.

Over-inflation is just as dangerous, as any impact damage could cause the tyre to burst.

Possible Consequences of Incorrect Inflation Pressure are: 

In other words: - Incorrect inflation can lead to the loss of a good tyre.

Old Tyres

Most Tyre Manufacturers honour warranties on their products for up to five years from date of manufacture.  

Regardless of how much tread is still left, it is recommended that tyres be replaced at around the age of 5 to 6 years. 

The fact is that rubber ages and breaks down.  Oxidants, ultra violet light and other factors cause tyres to deteriorate in ways that we cannot see with the naked eye.

Establishing the manufactured date of the tyre:-

Serial Number = 1602

means

16th week of 2002

Basics of correct tyre fitment on Taxi's

a. Correct type of tyre (commercials)

b. Correct  size                                                

c. Fit new valve every time with new tyre      

d. Rim in good order   

e. Check pressure   

f. Tight wheel nuts and fit all nuts  

Beware of Re-grooved Tyres 

Grooves are cut into the tread surface (by unskilled labourers) of an already smooth tyre, and more than likely a damaged casing.  In most instances, the casing itself has outlived its safe design period and has been subjected to the stresses and strains of bad roads.  Old tyres, generally discarded tyres or casings were found to be re-grooved.

Re-grooved tyres have been known to burst after less than 20km on the road.  Most have virtually no braking or effective road holding characteristics - yet they are regularly fitted to public transport vehicles such as minibus taxis.

Tyre Safety Awareness

	All the officials are keen to update their skills identifying tyres  faults.       Close to 320 officials have been trained in tyre safety.
	Insufficient training on tyre faults is done at training colleges.
	Many tyres, not approved by SABS are on SA roads.
	Vehicles in a general bad state often have unsafe tyres.
	Road Regulations do not prohibit passenger tyres being fitted to taxi's    and light commercial vehicles. These are accidents waiting to happen.     The same applies to the many studs missing on rims of wheels.
	As much as 22% of tyres on the road are unsafe. These are on 51% of       the vehicles! · Vehicles in the worst condition only enter highway         streets during night time.
	Trained officials are empowered to recognise unsafe tyres.
	Some taxis have smooth tyres, 'spinning' steering wheels, missing       wheel studs, rusted floor boards, hand brakes not working, doors not opening and sidewall repaired tyres.
	Highway buses and tankers are generally in a very good condition.
	Many trucks have major undercarriage mechanical faults resulting in      tyre damage.
	Some trucks had their rear brakes disconnected.
	Many unlicensed vehicles drive on the roads. Duplicate number plates   have been found.

The future plan is to continue these efforts and retrain as many officials in the country as possible.

National Road Traffic Act 1989 (Act 29 of 1989) 

No person shall operate on a public road - 

1. a motor vehicle, other than a tractor or trailer, which is equipped with a metal tyre;

2. a tractor or trailer, other than an animal-drawn vehicle, which is equipped with a metal tyre of less than 130 millimeters in width;

3. an animal-drawn vehicle which is equipped with a metal tyre less than 40 millimeters in width;

4. a vehicle which is equipped with a metal tyre unless the whole width of the tread of the tyre is at all times in direct contact with the surface of the road;

5. a vehicle which is equipped with a tyre which is in such a condition that it may cause or is likely to be a danger;

6. a motor vehicle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre of which the rubber covering is worn or damaged that the fabric or cord used in the construction of such a tyre is exposed;

7. a motor vehicle of which a tyre is so constructed and fitted that the metal part of the wheel to which such a tyre is fitted may come into contact with the road surface;

8. a motorcycle which is equipped with a retreaded tyre;

9. a motor vehicle which is equipped with a regrooved tyre having a bead diameter of 430 millimeters or less;

10. a motor vehicle 

    1. which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre unless such a tyre displays throughout, across its breadth an around its entire circumference, a pattern which is clearly visible, and has a tread of at least one millimeter in depth; or

    2. which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre which contains a tyre tread depth indicator, if the tread is level with the tyre tread shall not apply in respect of a motorcycle with an engine which has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, or a trailer drawn by a tractor at a speed not exceeding 35km/h;

    [Subreg (j) substituted by cl. 42(a) of R.2116 of 05/10/2001]

11. a motorcycle with an engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre which does not at any position on the tread thereof have a visible tread pattern over at least 80% of the full width of the tread;

12. a motorcycle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre; which has a break in its fabric or which has a cut, measuring in any direction on the outside of the tyre and of such depth that it reaches the cords used in the construction of such tyre, in excess of 25 millimeter or 10% of the maximum width of the tyre, whichever is the greater; or

13. a motor vehicle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre which has a lump or bulge caused by the separation of or a partial break in its structure.

Basics of correct tyre fitment on Taxi's

    Always fit “commercial type” tyres to a taxi.   “Passenger type” tyres will break or burst, as they are not made for carrying weight. A commercial type tyre must have a “C” behind the size of the tyre. For example
195 R14 C

    Fit the right size tyre on the rim. A tyre that is too small or too big will jump off the rim. Ask the tyre dealer what the right size is or refer to the vehicle manual.

    The biggest problem of tyres deflating is valves breaking or leaking. A valve is cheap. Put a new valve on the rim every time another tyre is fitted.

     A good rim is needed to keep the pressure in a tyre. A bumped or damaged rim can also cause a tyre to suddenly deflate or jump off the rim. Replace a rim with a new one if damaged or have it repaired by a specialist.

     Many new or replaced tyres are damaged due to inflation lost within the first few days after bad fitment or leaking valves. Check tyres every day especially for the first week, and thereafter on a weekly basis.  It is highly recommended that each driver has his own pressure gauge to be able to check pressures regularly and inflate tyres whenever necessary to avoid damage and/or uneven wear due to incorrect pressures.  By checking pressures regularly you ensure that you get use of the full life of the tyre.

     Ensure all wheel nuts are always tight. Have a nut on every bolt.   Many bad accidents have happened due to rims coming off the wheel drum.

Tyre Economy  

a.    Cheap tyres are not always most economical

b.    Good maintenance leads to long tyre life

        after them.