TYRE SIZE

It is important to ensure that your vehicle is fitted with the correct size tyre, i.e. tyres of the same diameter as those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Besides being unsafe, the fitting of incorrectly sized tyres affects the gear ratio of your car, placing the engine under strain and ultimately increasing fuel consumption.

• Do not fit different sized tyres to the same axel

• Always fit matching tyre patterns to the same axel.

TYRE PRESSURE

Maintaining correct tyre pressure is important to your safety. In addition, your vehicle will perform better, and you’ll prolong the life of your tyres. Always inflate your tyres to the vehicle or tyre manufacturer’s specifications. You will find the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle in your Owner’s Manual, it may also be indicated on a sticker on the driver’s doorframe. If you are setting out on a long journey, or carrying a heavy
load, increase the pressure of each tyre by 30kPa.

Checking tyre pressure
The best time to check tyre pressures is when they're cold. Hot tyres build up pressure by about 20 percent. Never deflate hot tyres.

Under inflation
A correctly inflated tyre generates heat when moving to enhance grip and traction on the road surface, but an underinflated tyre can heat up to dangerous levels, causing the tyre components to separate. Underinflation also increases shoulder wear, resulting in heavier steering, which can cause your vehicle to become unstable when cornering, braking or accelerating. It also increases the vehicle’s ‘rolling resistance’, i.e. its ability to ‘roll freely’ on the road, which will increase fuel consumption.

Over inflation
Over inflation causes premature wear on the centre of the tread, shortening the life of the tyre.

Handy hint
If you notice that a tyre requires repeated inflating to the correct pressure, it could have a slow puncture, or the valve could be leaking. Ask your tyre dealer to inspect the tyre, and repair if necessary. Each tyre should be fitted with a valve cap to stop dirt from entering the valve core, causing it to leak.

CARING FOR YOUR SPARE

Checking the spare tyre
Particular attention must be paid to spare tyres. Natural degradation of the rubber compound of the tyre over several years may cause the tyre to lose its protective capabilities, becoming brittle and cracking.

Check the date of manufacture indicated on the sidewall of the tyre - the life span of a tyre is approximately five years, whether it is driven on or not. Beyond this period the compound deteriorates and the tyre could become unsafe.

When replacing tyres, fit the spare onto the car. This ensures that the tyre will be used within a few years of manufacture. Obviously, this rule does not apply to vehicles that have space-saver type spare tyres.

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 and could pose a serious safety risk over long distances.

NOTE: These tyres are only meant to travel over a short distance in an emergency and have a restrictive speed (indicated on the sidewall) which must be adhered to for safety reasons.

<<Back