potholes Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Is It Safe To Drive On A Cracked Rim?

vuyi on February 16, 2022

By Vuyi Mpofu

Even though rims are generally sturdy, they aren’t immune to getting damaged and can result in blow-outs.

There is a joke which says that if you drive in a straight line on any road in South Africa, chances are you are intoxicated; whereas if you drive haphazardly are you are most likely to be sober. Why? Well, when you zig-zag across the road the assumption is that you are avoiding potholes.

Cracked rims are just as much of a threat to your safety and the overall performance of your car as any other component of your vehicle. Sometimes, it is quite easy to spot a crack on the rim but at other times, the crack can be quite fine, making it difficult to spot.

Either way, most motorists may be unaware that there is a problem, hence it is important to regularly check the integrity of your vehicle every other day and even more so before going on a long-distance drive.

Common causes of rim damage

It may not always be possible to avoid damaging a rim but to avoid costly repairs, here are a few things you might want to steer (pun intended) clear of.

Hitting a pothole

Potholes are the bane of our lives. They vary in width and depth and should always be approached cautiously particularly because they are a serious threat to the longevity of a car’s tyres and rims.

A lethal combination of the speed of a car, coupled with the depth, width and sharpness of the edge of a pothole has been known to rip a tyre right off its rim; shredding it almost instantly on point of contact.

At other times, the damage is not as visible to the naked eye but can reveal itself over time.

2. Driving on a flat or poorly inflated tyre

A properly inflated tyre can absorb impact from bumps and other anomalies on the road. However, a tyre that has low pressure will not absorb any impact from any irregularities on the road’s surface. Instead, the force of such impact will hit the rim directly thereby causing damage such as cracks or dings.

3. Driving over a curb

On roads such as ours which are, in some instances, devoid of even the faintest remnants of paint, one can occasionally drive over an unmarked curb or similar hard shoulder. This is more prevalent when driving on unfamiliar or poorly lit roads.

How can I tell if my rim is damaged?

A visual inspection of your tyres and rim is one way to check the health of your wheels.
Another is noticing a continuous vibration through the steering wheel or an unfamiliar sound emanating from the direction of the affected wheel.
Lastly, when you notice that your tyres can no longer retain pressure for long, forcing you to pump them more often than normal, chances are there is a problem with your wheels.

Is it safe to drive with a cracked rim?

My quick and short answer is no.

No matter how small or fine the crack might be, it would be best to have the rim replaced as soon as possible. Cracks on your rim are a hazard and can jeopardize your safety and that of other motorists around you.

The smallest crack could either grow over time or widen exponentially at the slight of impacts. In either scenario, where there is a crack on your rim there is a very real possibility that the air from our tyres could escape abruptly and without warning. Should this happen, even the most skilled drivers would have a hard time controlling the vehicle.

If you suspect that you have a cracked or bent rim, it is best to have it attended to immediately. Remember that your rim holds your car’s tyres and that the only contact you have with the road is about the size of the palm of your hand.

Should there be an abnormality on your rim, then suffice it to say there will be an abnormality with your tyres, causing a ripple effect which could result in a tyre blow-out, serious injury, expensive damage to your vehicle and at worst – death.

It’s better to be safe – and out of pocket due to having replaced a rim – than injured or sorry.

Water Puddles: A Hazard To Your Car

vuyi on January 21, 2022

By H&H Admin

With the current weather pattern of frequent rain, keeping your vehicle safe from water damage has become a very important consideration for motorists.

With the current weather pattern of frequent rain, heavy down pours and flooding around large parts of the country, keeping your vehicle safe from water damage has become a very important consideration for motorists.

The problem is exacerbated by sizeable puddles of water forming over the roads due to ineffective storm water drains not draining effectively and insufficient road maintenance.

“Not only does this present a road safety hazard, but the water can be equally hazardous to your car,” says Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).

Ranft says possible damage from water can impact a number of different components in one’s car ranging from your engine control unit (ECU) to gearbox control unit. Water can enter the electronic components and cause the engine to stall. This presents a danger to the driver if he/she is left stranded on the road.

Excess water can also impact a car’s air cleaner intake which is usually fitted low on a car. “This presents a great risk as taking in excess water can damage the car engine. Water sucked into engine can cause hydro lock. This will destroy the inner working of the vehicle engine at great cost to the driver.”

One also has to watch out for seemingly insignificant if parking a car outside. “It is important to drain under the windscreen wipers as they can become blocked due to leaves and twigs. If left unattended, the debris could lead to damage to the engine ECU as water can enter the ECU (engine control unit) and/or the gearbox control unit. As a result the car can stall leading to expensive repairs. “It can be easily avoided with regular maintenance like cleaning cowl panels and water draining systems,” says Ranft.

In order to prevent damage motorists should follow the following guidelines:

Never drive too fast into a pool of water if you are not sure of the depth of the puddle. This can lead to the vehicle being damage or even being totally flooded with water. Dangerous aquaplaning is also a risk and can cause the driver to lose control.
Avoid fast-flowing low water bridges. Fast flowing water over low water bridges as little as 6 inch can sweep a vehicle downstream.
Be alert for hidden potholes covered by water which can cause damage to the vehicle rims, tyres and alignment.
Always drive with your headlights on when it is raining to make your vehicle more clearly visible. In heavy rain or misty conditions it may even be necessary to switch hazard lights on to be more visible
Never speed in the rain. Drive slowly and maintain additional following distances.

Remember: It doesn’t take much water to cause a car to stall, particularly as is can be difficult to gauge how deep the water actually is.

Depending on the conditions, it could be difficult to tell how deep the water actually is and almost impossible to detect if there isn’t a pothole lurking under its surface. It is best to approach any amount of water with caution.

Source: MIWA / Retail Motor Industry

What You Need To Know About Wheel Alignment and Safety

vuyi on October 30, 2020

All motorists need to prioritize regular tyre checks in order to be assured of their safety when driving. The importance of reducing stress and strain on the vehicle’s suspension components to improve the handling of the vehicle, should not be underestimated.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is the process whereby the wheels are aligned to point in line with the direction of rotation. This is done to ensure that the tyres are calibrated to ‘point’ straight ahead. Proper wheel alignment makes a vehicle steer easily and allows tyres to wear evenly.

Deteriorating roads contribute to a greater need for regular wheel alignment. Tyres can be nudged out of alignment when they accidentally hit objects such as curbs and potholes, or by catching a centre cement divider while making a miscalculated turn.

During wheel alignment, there are three major considerations. These are:

camber (vertical angle)
caster (rearward inclination)
toe (front of wheels pointing inwards or outwards).

Wheel alignment usually requires that adjustments are made to various parts of the suspension. Alignment angles can also be altered beyond the maker’s specifications to obtain a specific handling characteristic.

Here is a brief explanation of the settings used in alignment; it is a bit technical but it will provide some insight into the expertise required from tyre experts when aligning your wheels:

Toe Settings– this is the inward or outward pointing of the wheels in relation to the centre line of the vehicle and is set to take up any slack in suspension joints so that the tyres will in fact run parallel with one another when the vehicle is travelling in a straight line.
Camber– This is the tilt away from the vertical of the wheel and is designed to place the wheel loading on the larger inner wheel bearing of the front wheel on rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Too much camber will cause a tyre to wear off on the shoulder and differing camber angles from one side to another will cause the vehicle to pull to one side.
Caster– the backward tilt of the steering axis, which is designed to give feel on the steering as well as provide steering self-centring, so the steering comes back to the straight-ahead position following a corner. Too little caster will cause the vehicle to wander and too much will cause heavy steering.
Steering Set Back– this is when one wheel is ‘set back’ from the other. If a vehicle has high steering set back, the vehicle will pull toward the side where the wheel is ‘set back’. This can often occur when a vehicle has been involved in an accident.
Steering Axis Inclination– this is the tilt from the vertical of the steering axis and is designed to create a vertical load through the axis, in order to reduce stress and bending moments on suspension components.
Thrust Angle– this is when the rear wheels are out of line with those on the front, causing the vehicle ‘crab’, (steer sideways). This can occur when a vehicle has been involved in an accident.
Scrub Radius– this is the radius created between the centre line of the wheel in contact with the road surface and the line drawn through the steering axis. This can either be positive where the wheel positioning is on the outside of the steering axis line or negative where the wheel positioning is inside the steering axis. Scrub radius may also be referred to as Roll Radius. Changing the offset of the wheels on the vehicle will change the scrub radius and could severely affect suspension component life, due to increased stresses being placed on them.

Once a tyre is knocked out of alignment, its orientation on the vehicle is slightly off-centre. The degree of misalignment is not obvious to the human eye, but the effects will be noticeable in your ability to steer the vehicle. It is critical that motorists schedule regular tyre checks with at a specialist tyre service.

Source Arrive Alive

The 3 Major Enemies of your car’s Shock Absorbers

vuyi on October 15, 2020

The lifespan of your shocks is dependent on a number of factors. These include the terrain you often travel on, the conditions you drive in as well as your personal driving style.

As with all car components, shock absorbers are subject to wear and tear over time, however, there are a few things which accelerate their deterioration.

Potholes: If you are driving on bad roads or hitting potholes often this will cause your vehicle to rebound more frequently and can damage your shocks.
Dirt roads: When travelling on dirt roads a lot of dust is generated in the air. These sand particles get into the seals of your shocks, damaging them and causing the fluid inside to leak out.
Mud: Mud gets into the inner components of your vehicle, including your shocks. This will damage the seals and cause leaks. Leakage reduces the effectiveness of your shocks as it diminishes their ability to absorb impact.

There are however, a few things you can do to help extend the life of your shock absorbers.

Drive slowly and with extreme caution through potholes, mud and on gravel roads.
Have your shock absorbers checked regularly checked (this will be done by a trained specialist whenever your car goes in for a service)
Clean the wheel hubs of your car to dislodge debris

Your shock absorbers should be checked once a year at the very least or alternatively every 20,000kms.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Fuel Tank

vuyi on July 8, 2020

The ever fluctuating petrol prices are beyond our control but practicing good driving habits could save you money

Motorists often underestimate the impact their driving style has on the fuel efficiency of their cars but the truth is that a few adjustments could make a huge difference. Here are a few useful tips to help motorists be greener and more fuel-efficient drivers.

Drive smoothly
Aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower your fuel mileage significantly. So, accelerate smoothly, brake softer and earlier, and stay in one lane while it’s safe to do so. Not only do these driving techniques save fuel, they also prolong the life of your brakes and tyres.

Slow down
Speeding wastes fuel. Aim for a constant speed. Driving at 90 km/h instead of 100 km/h can improve your fuel efficiency by 10-15%. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine, emptying the tank faster.

Don’t keep your engine idling
Today’s engines don’t need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don’t leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off whenever it is safe to do so, such as when stationary for more than 30 seconds, this avoids unnecessary energy consumption of an idle running engine.

Remove unnecessary cargo
Reducing the amount of cargo you keep in your boot or on your back seat can improve your fuel efficiency as less energy is needed for acceleration. Try to travel as light as possible, keep only the most important items (like an emergency kit, jumper cables, a small toolset, and a small jack) in the vehicle.

Only use A/C on the highway
Your fuel economy drops by up to 15% when you use the air conditioner at low speeds. So, if it isn’t too hot, turn off the air conditioner and roll down your windows instead. However, at 90 km/h or higher, using the air conditioner is preferable to opening windows because your vehicle has much lower wind resistance with the windows closed; and because the engine produces more power at higher revs, so it is able to run accessories like the A/C compressor more efficiently.

Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated: Incorrect wheel alignment and underinflated tyres lead to increased resistance between the tyres and the road. This makes your engine work harder than it ordinarily would, leading to higher fuel consumption, and increased wear on the tyres. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before and after a long distance drive. Alignment should be checked at least every six months, or after run-ins with potholes.

Driving In High Accident Zones

vuyi on June 30, 2020

Every driver has seen a roadside sign warning them that the section of the road that they are driving on is a high-risk accident zone. When a driver sees one of these signs, they should change their driving style and increase their awareness levels to be ready to respond to unexpected challenges.

Assess the situation to determine what makes that stretch of road dangerous and adapt your driving to account for this.
– eugene herbert, managing director – masterdrive

The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, explains areas that have high accident rates with warning signs of this, require changes to your driving to meet the situation. “It is up to you to assess the area and identify what makes that particular area high risk. Van Reenen’s Pass is one of South Africa’s more notorious high-risk areas because it is vulnerable to bad weather and a dangerous area for trucks to travel.

“In this instance drivers need to drive with more caution especially when weather conditions are bad and ensure they follow the instructions along the route that separate cars and trucks. Additionally, keep an eye out for vehicles that may swerve into oncoming traffic.”

There are a number of other conditions that can make a road into a high-risk area. “Concealed accesses, high traffic volumes, a blind rise, animals that may wander into the road, high incidents of negligent driving, low visibility, roads prone to potholes and weather conditions are just a few challenges that can make an area high risk.

“Assess the situation to determine what makes that stretch of road dangerous and adapt your driving to account for this. Even if you cannot immediately identify the risk, be just as cautious as what you would if you did know,” says Herbert.

Examples of driving styles that you can ensure you are following include:

Slow down so that you have extra time to react should a car suddenly enter the road from a side road unexpectedly or to react to many other hazards
Increase your following distances to give yourself additional time and space to react to the actions of cars ahead of you or to concealed obstacles
Look 12 seconds ahead as you drive so that any potentially dangerous situations do not catch you unaware
Watch the reactions of drivers in front of you. Additional time and space gives you the opportunity to notice if all the cars ahead are veering to one side of the road to avoid something like a pothole and allows you to react to the hazard timeously and carefully
Always drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other vehicles or pedestrians
Be prepared for slippery roads by paying attention to your surroundings and learning what to do should you lose control of your vehicle
Do not drive fatigued as it can make something as simple as a straight road extremely dangerous because your ability to pay attention and react quickly, among other issues, is affected
Be patient and courteous in heavy traffic. Losing your cool or preventing others from entering a lane creates dangerous as well as volatile situations

Roads where you are at a higher risk of crashing are not unusual, making preparation for it essential. “Follow the principles of defensive driving on these roads and be ready for any challenge you may encounter to ensure you emerge from these areas as safely as possible,” advises Herbert.