Your driving habits have a significant impact on the health and longevity of your tyres, as well as your safety on the road.
To maintain the health of your tyres and ensure your safety on the road, it’s important to adopt safe driving habits. This includes driving within the recommended speed limit, taking corners carefully and smoothly, avoiding overloading your vehicle, and driving on well-maintained roads as often as you can.
Here are some ways your driving style can affect your tyres:
1. Speeding and Hard Acceleration
The most common driving style that damages your tyres is hard acceleration and driving at high speeds, both of which cause your tyres to wear out faster due to increased heat and friction. High friction produces increased heat, which in turn leads to tyre wear. Additionally, hard acceleration causes bits of rubber from the tyre to shred and chip off, thereby further increasing wear and tear. Similarly, speeding increases heat and friction, putting more stress on your tyres. The best thing to do is drive gently to help improve the longevity of your tyres.
2. Hard Braking
Similar to hard acceleration, hard braking can also lead to premature tyre damage. Frequent emergency braking has an adverse effect on the car’s suspension and leads to uneven wear of tyres. Driving in city traffic often includes hard braking, but this can be minimised by maintaining a safe following distance, keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
3. Cornering
Taking corners too quickly or aggressively can also cause your tyres to wear unevenly, as the outside edges of the tyres are constantly under stress. This can lead to poor grip and reduced handling, making your vehicle less safe to drive.
4. Overloading
Overloading your vehicle beyond its recommended weight limit causes excessive stress on your tyres. The tyre of a car is designed to carry a particular maximum weight as prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer. This weight is known as the load rating and is marked on the tyre’s sidewall and in the car owner’s manual. By overloading your vehicle, you increase pressure on the tyre, weakening its internal structure which not only leads to faster wear and tear, but an increased risk of tyre bursts.
5. Driving On Rough Roads, Debris And Over Curbs
Driving on rough or poorly maintained roads such as potholes and debris causes your tyres to wear out faster, as they are exposed to more friction. Hitting harshly against a curb can easily cause cracks on the rubber of a tyre and damage the wheel, rim, steering components and suspension. Remember to drive slowly and carefully in built-up areas and look out for unmarked curbs.
Regular tyre checks and maintenance can help detect any potential issues before they become major problems. By changing your driving habits, you can extend the life of your tyres and enjoy a safer drive.
The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) is actively working to address the issue of illicit trade of tyres in South Africa, which are an enormous danger on our roads and contribute to the country’s high accident rate annually.
The SATMC is the representative body of the four leading global tyre manufacturers with manufacturing facilities established in the country, namely Bridgestone Southern Africa, Continental Tyre South Africa, Goodyear South Africa and Sumitomo Rubber South Africa.
Chairperson and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, Lubin Ozoux, said illicit tyre trade is a growing concern and has far-reaching impacts on the industry, as well as the safety of drivers and passengers on the road.
“The production, import, export, purchase, sale or possession of tyres that fail to comply with the domestic legislation of South Africa must be taken seriously and stamped out. We as the SATMC, representing local tyre manufacturers, are particularly concerned about the entry of substandard and counterfeit tyres into the South African market. These tyres often do not meet the required safety standards, are made with inferior materials and are prone to failure, placing millions of lives at risk on our roads,” he said.
Illicit trade must be stopped, as this will create a safe and fair market for South Africa, helping to keep millions of lives safer on the roads
–Lubin Ozou, Chairperson and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa
Tyres which are illegally brought into the country pose a serious threat to the safety of South African consumers. While this issue has been a persistent problem for several years, the recent increase could be attributed to the rise in illegal trade activities globally as globalisation and e-commerce continue to expand.
SATMC Managing Executive, Ndu Chala, said the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA), in collaboration with the SATMC, has been working closely with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to root out illicit trade in the industry.
SATMC Managing Executive, Ndu Chala, said the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA), in collaboration with the SATMC, has been working closely with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to root out illicit trade in the industry.
“This influx is concerning, and we have endeavoured to collaborate with the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA), the Tyre Equipment Parts Association (TEPA) and the government through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to detect non-compliant behaviour, and ensure consequences for those found to have resorted to this illegal and criminal behaviour,” added Chala.
Ozoux said all role players in the tyre industry including manufacturers, importers, dealers and distributors are aligned and collaborating to tackle the scourge of illicit tyre trade. The SATMC has also introduced a number of solutions, including increased collaboration with law enforcement agencies to enforce regulations, and increased public awareness through targeted campaigns.
“Illicit trade must be stopped, as this will create a safe and fair market for South Africa, helping to keep millions of lives safer on the roads, and protecting local jobs. If reducing the unacceptably high number and cost of road deaths in South Africa is a priority for us all, then we simply cannot continue to allow illegal and often inferior tyres to keep proliferating the local market. Only legitimate and safe tyres should be available to South African consumers,” said Ozoux.
Old and worn tyres are difficult to dispose of due to their size, shape and because they are not environmentally friendly.
Tyres are standard equipment in vehicles but getting rid of them at the end of their life-span can be problematic. One simply cannot put unwanted tyres in the trash along with other household waste. Due to the materials used in their production, tyres are hazardous to the environment and as such need to be disposed of carefully.
Recycling is the safest and most effective way of getting rid of tyres. It is a long term solution which gives new life to old tyres through the manufacture of other products which can be used in various industries.
The Process of Recycling Tyres
Tyre recyclers collect old tyres from retail outlets and transport them to tyre recycling processing facilities for processing.
Tyres are sorted by size and composition then placed on conveyor belts ready for shredding.
The first stage of the tyre shredding process reduces each tyre to approximately 5cm pieces. The second stage used a granulator, which further reduces each 5cm piece into a 19mm size granule.
Next, the steel within each tyre granule is removed (the steel is re-useable), then stored into large hoppers in preparation for the next stage of the process.
Depending on the fineness required for the manufacture of the end product, the granules are cut further and pushed through various sized sieves to produce different levels of coarseness.
At this stage of the recycling process, the tyres are as small as breadcrumbs and as such are called ‘rubber crumbs’.
The rubber crumbs are packaged according to coarseness, ready for distribution.
Products Made From Recycled Tyres
There are many different products made from recycled tyres. These include:
1. Athletic Tracks
Rubber granules are mixed with polyurethane binder to produce surfaces such as athletics tracks. The use of recycled rubber provided assistance with impact absorption and injury reduction.
2. Playground Surfaces
Recycled rubber is used in the production of play safe surfaces such as children’s playgrounds. Similar to sport surfaces, the playground surfaces made from rubber crumbs and shreds, are durable, porous and low-maintenance. They also assist with impact absorption and injury reduction.
3. Brake Shoes
Rubber crumbs are used in the manufacture of asbestos-free brake shoes. The advantage of using recycled rubber in producing brake shoes is that the rubber component reduces noise and improves wear and tear due to its heat-resistant nature.
4. Matting Surfaces
Various matting products are made from recycled rubber for both commercial and domestic use. These include non-slip door mats and marine surfaces. Mats made from recycled tyres are hardwearing, weather resistant and can be washed easily.
5. Sports Surfaces
Recycled rubber is used under synthetic grass for added softness. Rubber crumbs are also processed into a material which is used to hold the synthetic grass upright when laid onto the pitch.
6. Tile Adhesive
Recycled rubber is becoming more commonly used in the manufacture of tile adhesives, allowing the adhesive to retain a great deal of the flexible properties of cured rubber. The flexibility of rubber prevents the tiles from cracking as a result of building movement over time. In addition, recycled rubber provides water-resistant and sound dampening properties.
7. New Tyre Production
Recycled rubber is in the manufacture of passenger tyres. By mixing recycled rubber with uncured rubber to form a filling compound prior to the tyre baking process, tyre manufacturers are able to reduce the amount of new materials used in the production of passenger tyres. This results in lower cost of tyre manufacture.
8. Building Materials
Mixed with polyurethane binder, recycled rubber granules are used in the production of building materials such as insulation for use in under flooring and walls.
While second-hand passenger car tyres can seem like a more cost-effective alternative to purchasing brand new tyres, these are unregulated and expose road users to a major hazard.
There is a dangerous and illegal practice called ‘re-grooving’ where unscrupulous operators buy worn, used tyres and carve out the rubber of the tyre to make the tread depth appear deeper than it actually is.
The cost of buying second-hand or part-worn tyres runs deeper than the cost of a new tyre. The potential loss of vehicle control, injury or loss of life are just a few of the devastating consequences of using unsafe tyres.
No matter how desperate you feel you are, NEVER compromise on your safety, that of your family and other road users. Rather save up and purchase tyres from reputable outlets.
Wheel alignment helps your tyres last longer and to perform efficiently. It also improves handling as well as prevents your car from pulling to one side.
Here are a few signs that your wheels need realignment:
Good tyre tread and properly inflated tyres are essential to maintaining control on slippery roads. Your tyres should always be properly inflated and have plenty of tread groove depth to help disperse water on the road. Don’t forget to ensure that your spare tyre should also be properly inflated and in good condition.
Gals Garage, in association Toyota Motors South Africa recently hosted a Tyre Safety Workshop aimed at female motorists.
Supported by Toyota Motors South Africa (TMSA), the first Gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop of 2021, took place in Gauteng recently. Although all COVID regulations had been taken into account, organizers of the event took further precautions by hosting the Workshop over a few 4-hour sessions at different venues, thereby giving guests the added comfort of knowing their health had been taking into consideration.
The Gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop not only allowed guests to simulate a flat tyre scenario but also gave them an opportunity to test drive the Toyota Urban Cruiser, Toyota Starlet and one of 2 Toyota Agya vehicles.
It used to be safe to ask a stranger to assist you to change your flat tyre but times have changed, so it is to every woman’s benefit to know how to do so herself.- FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
It used to be safe to ask a stranger to assist you to change your flat tyre but times have changed, so it is to every woman’s benefit to know how to do so herself.
– FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Kicking off with an interactive discussion about tyre rotation, wheel alignment, and wheel balancing, the important topic of knowing how to change a tyre led to a few of the ladies relating personal stories about the inconveniences and dangers of being stuck on the side of the road.
It is important to align the jack with the car-jack point. If you jack the vehicle at any other point, the car’s weight may cause damage to its frame.
– FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Excited about learning this basic life skill, the ladies gathered around the 2 Toyota Agya vehicles and set about changing a tyre; all the while talking about causes of a flat tyre, how to identify you have a flat tyre (while driving), and safety measure to adhere to in the event of a flat tyre. These include pulling out of traffic as slowly as is safely possible, parking on a flat surface where possible, ensuring that the handbrake is engaged (either in gear in manual transmission or Park if in an automatic).
“In some instances, it is advisable to place a brick in front or behind one of the other tyres to further secure the vehicle,” Vuyi mentioned, “but you must remove these before you leave so as not to cause damage to another motorist’s vehicle, particularly at night when visibility is generally reduced”.
Another important element under discussion was identifying the optimal position to place the red reflective triangle which serves as a warning for other motorists, as well as learning the correct names of each of the tools required to successfully change a flat tyre – wheel spanner, nut-lock, car jack, reflective red triangle, spare tyre.
In some instances, it is advisable to place a brick in front or behind one of the other tyres but you must remove these before you leave.
– Founder, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPs
It came as a surprise to some of the ladies that all cars have a car ‘jack point and that it is the safest location to position the car jack. By running their fingers along the edge of the bottom of the body of the car, the ladies discovered either one or two jack-points positioned either a short distance behind the front wheels or positioned a short distance in front of the rear wheels.
“It is important to align the jack with the car-jack point. If you jack the vehicle at any other point, the car’s weight may cause damage to its frame or, the jack may slip off, causing the vehicle to crash to the ground. Either way, this could result in serious injury to yourself and expensive damage to the car,” Vuyi said.
I will never forget the day my children and I nearly spent a night at the side of the road just because I did not know to change a flat tyre.
– GUEST, GALS GARAGE TYRE SAFETY WORKSHOP
To their surprise, the ladies accurately and safety completed the tyre change exercise in less time than they had anticipated. Most could barely believe how simple the task was.
“I will never forget the day my children and I nearly spent a night at the side of the road just because I did not know to change a flat tyre. Looking back I feel annoyed with myself because I put us in unnecessary danger yet here I am, doing this simple thing in 20 minutes!” remarked one of the guests.
When it came to test driving the various Toyotas on display, the Starlet proved to be a clear favourite among the ladies. “It stylish, spacious, comfortable to drive and quite spacious,” one guest remarked.
“The Agya is much bigger than it looks”, remarked one of the guests. “When I first glanced at it, I felt it was a ‘toy’ but, out of curiosity, I drove it and now I’m surprisingly impressed. I would love to have it as my weekday car because it would be easy to park,” she continued.
Some car salesmen can be very pushy, but his job is to listen to my needs and give me the best product which fits my budget.
– Guest, gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop
Many of the ladies expressed appreciation that they had had an opportunity to test drive the Toyota vehicles in the comfort of their environment because they find car dealerships intimidating.
“I am not looking forward to buying a car because some car salesmen can be very pushy,” one lady said. “I feel that car salesmen judge women based on appearance and I am not about to make the extra effort just so the salesman will want to approach me when I walk into a dealership. His job is to listen to my needs and give me the best product which fits my budget – not to make me feel unknowledgeable and small,” she concluded.
ABOUT GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Gals Garage Workshops, Because Women Deserve Better, was conceptualized and launched in 2016 by motoring journalist, Vuyi Mpofu when she identified a gap in the market to engage with female motorists. The Workshops aim to inform, educate and empower female motorists about the nuances of various elements of vehicles and serve to encourage women to become aware of the vehicle components which affect everyday driving safety.
Other than the Tyre Safety Workshops, the Gals Garage brand offers a variety of courses being:
Many drivers don’t seem to realize that tyres are the only point of contact cars have with the road, at any given time. Vuyi Mpofu shares 7-basic tips all motorists should get into the habit of practicing.
Some motorists don’t appreciate how dangerous it is to drive on worn or damaged tyres. Granted, tyre are expensive to replace, but what all road-users should be aware of is that in the event of an accident, your insurance claim could be repudiated if accident investigators discover that the tyres were in poor condition and as a result, were the cause of the collision.
Here are some basic tyre maintenance tips all motorists should get into the habit of following:
Some tips on tyre maintenance:
Check all tyres (including the spare) whenever you refuel your tank.
When parking your car, turn the front tyres so that they are at a slight angle. This will make it easier for you to check the tread of your tyres.
Check the tyre pressure indicator in your owner’s manual or in your car, and inflate your tyres according to the load they will carry. Don’t over, or underinflate, your tyres,
Attend to tyre related problems immediately regardless of how insignificant they might appear to be. Bear in mind that tyres can be quite expensive to replace and as the saying goes – prevention is better than cure.
Replace your tyres as soon as is necessary but NEVER buy your tyres at the side of the road. Buy tyres only from credible tyre outlets.
Ensure that your tyres are Only buy tyres from reputable tyre dealers, not from the side of the road. Remember, a good deal now may cost you more later on,
Ensure your tyres are correctly aligned and balanced, particularly before and after a long-distance trip.
The practice of filling our tyres with nitrogen is not yet as common as it could be, even though it has many safety benefits. Vuyi Mpofu explores the reasons why more motorists should switch to using nitrogen in their tyres
Nitrogen gas is environmentally friendly, non-flammable and non-corrosive . It is a pure gas and does not attack or oxidise the rubber of the tyre from the inside like air does. Nitrogen in tyres is also known to prolong tyre life and improve road handling. For these reasons, nitrogen tyre inflation is mostly preferable to air inflation
Nitrogen gas in tyres does not hold heat thereby allowing the tyres run cooler. Filling your tyres with nitrogen reduces tyre pressure variation which is normally caused by changes in tyre temperature. As the biggest molecule gas, nitrogen is slow to migrate through a tyre, causing very little loss of pressure.
There is a direct correlation between tyres filled with nitrogen gas and road safety. In South Africa, the top-three reasons for tyre related accidents are:
Poor tyre condition
Vehicle overloading
Incorrect inflation
The above conditions are all within our control and require a decent measure of diligence on the part of all drivers. Correctly maintaining one’s tyres is a long term process while it’s not every day that drivers overload their vehicles. On the other hand however, filling tyres with nitrogen gas is an easy habit to get into and one which has many benefits. These include:
Slower rate of pressure loss
Cooler running temperature of tyres
Improved road handling
Reduced corrosion
1. Slower Rate of Pressure Loss
The molecular structure of nitrogen differs from that of air, in such a way that it escapes through the tyre’s inner liner or tube at a slower rate than regular compressed air. The result is a dramatically slower rate of pressure loss in a tyre filled with nitrogen. For example, it might take up to six months to lose 0.14kpa with nitrogen, compared to just one month with compressed air.
2. Cooler Running Temperature of Tyres
Tyres inflated with nitrogen run cooler than those inflated with air, resulting in an improvement in tyre life of up to 20%. By reducing the tyre’s running temperature, you increase its tread life thereby increasing its overall lifespan.
3. Improved Road Handling
As tyres heat up, their inflation pressure increases, which in turn reduces the size of the tyre’s footprint – the area that has contact with the road. Subsequently, the tyre grip is reduced as a result of the tyre’s diminished footprint. So the cooler the tyres run the better their ability to grip the road.
4. Reduced Corrosion
Unlike air there’s no moisture in pure nitrogen, thereby drastically reducing the possibility of corrosion in tyres.
In Conclusion…
Filling one’s tyres with nitrogen gas should be the norm for South African road users as it is safer than filling up with air. It is also cost effective as it leads to better maintenance of tyres.
Nitrogen gas is the ultimate tyre inflation gas and is available at reputable tyre fitment centres across the country at a nominal cost.
It is important to be alert to the warning signs that your wheels might be out of alignment.
Uneven tread wear is a sign of a car which has been driven over a long period of time on misaligned tyres. Often, the inner tyre tread wears down quicker and more smoothly than that of the outer section of the tyre, which usually has plenty of outer tread left on it. Of course, the opposite of this is true and it could be the outer section which wears out sooner than the inner section of the tyre. The result, however remains the same in that the tyres would need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Your driving behaviour will decide how often your vehicle requires wheel alignment. In order to preserve the wheel alignment on a vehicle, avoid potholes, climbing curbs, and parking up against curbs. If you have to climb a curb, do it very slowly and at a slight angle.
When Do I Need To Consider Wheel Alignment?
Alignment should be checked every 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever occurs first unless you know that you have hit a pothole, or some other object; in which case it should be done immediately as a precaution.
Other facts drivers should know about wheel alignment:
A proper wheel alignment should best start and end with a test drive.
The front end and steering linkage should be checked for wear before performing an alignment.
The tyres should all be in good shape with even wear patterns.
If you have a tyre with excessive camber wear and you correct the alignment problem, the tyre will only make partial contact with the road.
Pulling problems are not always related to wheel alignment. Problems with tyres (especially unequal air pressure), brakes and power steering can also be responsible.
How is Wheel Alignment Performed?
A camera unit (sometimes called a “head”) is usually attached to a specially designed clamp which holds on to a wheel. There are usually four camera units in a wheel alignment system (a camera unit for each wheel). The camera units communicate their physical positioning with respect to other camera units to a central computer which calculates and displays how much the camber, toe and caster are misaligned.
Often with alignment equipment, these “heads” can be a large precision reflector. In this case, the alignment “tower” contains the cameras as well as arrays of LEDs. The system flashes one array of LEDs for each reflector whilst a camera centrally located in the LED array “looks for” an image of the reflectors patterned face. These cameras perform the same function as the other style of alignment equipment, yet alleviate numerous issues prone to relocating a heavy precision camera assembly on each vehicle serviced.
In conclusion – More attention should be given to wheels and tyres as requirements for safe driving. Tyres allow you to start, stop and change direction and are the only components which keep your vehicle in contact with the road’s surface.
If we compromise their ability to perform these basic functions we put ourselves and other road users at risk. Have your wheel alignment checked periodically byt a professional from a tyre specialist.
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.
Tyre damage can happen for a variety of reasons and without the driver being immediately aware there’s a problem.
The most common types of damage are punctures, cuts, impacts, cracks, bulges and irregular wear. Here are some common signs and symptoms aimed at helping you diagnose the issue as well as some useful tips on how to prevent them.
Identifying irregular wear
There are several types of irregular wear, the most typical variations being heel and toe wear, one-sided wear, and centre wear. Here we explain how and why they occur.
a. Heel and toe wear – Heel and toe wear is a pattern caused by normal usage and suspension settings. It’s the outwardly visible (and audible) manifestation of various distortional forces at work on the tread. To explain further, let’s dive a little deeper into the design of the tread.
Tread grooves are essential in ensuring safety on wet and flooded roads. With low-profile tyres in particular, a higher percentage of tread void is necessary to displace the water and to improve protection against aquaplaning. Cross-grooves for water drainage take the form of freestanding blocks in the shoulder area. These shoulder blocks can wear into a heel and toe pattern as a result of a rolling movement under certain operating conditions. These operating conditions include:
Long journeys at a steady speed on straight roads
A moderate driving style
The alignment and camber of the suspension geometry
As the tyre rolls along the road, the freestanding blocks deform as they get closer to the contact patch of the tyre, and they compress as they touch the tarmac. After they lose road contact, however, the blocks snap back into their original shape, rubbing the surface of the road as they do so. The result is wear on the block run-out edge and is more likely to appear on non-driven wheels.
A minor amount of heel and toe wear is reasonable and has no discernible effect on driving comfort. But if the wear is more extensive, more specific issues could be to blame, including improper inflation, excessive toe-in and low-wear applications.
b. Centre wear – You will find this wear pattern on the driven wheels of high-power cars. High torque levels generated during strong acceleration, in stop-start urban traffic or when accelerating away from traffic lights can quickly increase wear of the tread in the centre of the tyre. Even today’s mid-range vehicles have modern engines that can generate high levels of torque and are capable of producing high degrees of slip.
c. One-sided wear – The biggest cause of one-sided wear is incorrect axle geometry. Deviations from the standard specification can develop over time and are the result of, for example, mounting a kerb.
Lowering the height of a vehicle in conjunction with low-profile tyres can also negatively affect wheel alignment. During driving, modified suspension arms tend to cause the alignment of the wheels to deviate from the specified position. The problem can catch drivers unaware, because wheel alignment values can still be found to be within tolerance limits when measured in a static position on an axle measurement bench. But the manufacturer’s alignment data applies to vehicles as delivered and may not necessarily apply to customised cars. Thus, the result may be an increase in non-uniform tread wear.
If a vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, a qualified specialist can correct the deviation by realigning them.
Identifying an impact break or bulge
An impact break is damage inflicted on the carcass (the casing of the tyre) after the tyre comes into contact with certain obstacles. A pronounced external bulge on the sidewall of the tyre indicates destroyed cords inside the carcass.
Damage of this kind is usually caused by driving over objects – like kerbs or speed bumps – at excessive speed or at the wrong angle, overstressing the carcass and causing individual cords to break. The exact extent of the damage will depend on the speed and angle of impact, and the size of the obstacle. Careful motorists are usually able to avoid this type of damage, unless an obstacle suddenly appears in front of them and they can’t steer around it.
Ignoring such damage increases the risk of tyre failure at some point in the future, either delamination of the tread and plies or disintegration of the tyre sidewall.
An impact break is sometimes confused with a sidewall indentation, but they are not the same thing. As we explain below, dimples or indentations in the sidewall are not cause for alarm.
Identifying a sidewall indentation
A tyre sidewall is not always perfectly even; sometimes there will be dimples and indentations that may require a more detailed inspection to determine their cause. The essential thing to know is that indentations are harmless and aren’t detrimental to either driving or safety characteristics. The dimples are superficial.
Indentations in the tyre are best illustrated if you imagine tying a string around an inflated balloon and then gently pulling the string tighter. If the balloon is the tyre, the string is the embedded carcass cords, which are concealed by the rubber. These cords provide the tyre with its strength and stability, and transfer steering and braking forces while driving.
During manufacture of a tyre – or rather when constructing the carcass, to which the steel belt and the tread are attached – there are often one or two overlaps in the carcass. It’s this overlap that is sometimes visible as an indentation after the tyre is fitted and inflated.
But if you’re in any doubt, have the sidewall indentations checked by a qualified tyre specialist.
Identifying a cut
Cuts are the result of external influences like bad road conditions, protruding bodywork parts or sharp, foreign objects such as stones or glass. If you discover damage in the form of a cut on the tyre surface, you should visit your local tyre retailer and have your tyres immediately checked by a professional.
Punctures explained
Punctures are the consequence of sharp objects on the road – for example, nails, screws or broken glass – that pierce through the surface of the tyre. If the puncture is deep enough, the tyre could begin to lose air pressure. If you find that one or more of your tyres are continuously losing pressure, or if you discover a nail or screw embedded in the tread, then visit your local tyre specialist as soon as possible to have them repaired.
How to prevent damages
Change the position of the tyres on the car at regular intervals (unless otherwise recommended by the vehicle manufacturer) to promote even tyre wear. The position of the tyres should be rotated, for example, when making the seasonal transition between summer and winter tyres.
By swapping the wheels from the driven to the non-driven axle on a regular basis, drivers can expect to have a uniform pattern of wear on all tyres. But as always, please observe the recommendations provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to drive over an obstacle in the road, approach it slowly and as close to perpendicular as possible. Afterwards, check your tyres for exterior damage such as cuts, cracks or bulges. Also, avoid driving aggressively on unpaved roads.
Article and images courtesy of Continental Tyres South Africa
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