Out for Eid drive: Top 15 tyre tips to keep you safe

The Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department of Abu Dhabi Police, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Tyre Company, has provided motorists with essential information in order to avoid traffic accidents that may result from faulty tyres.

Motorists were urged to check the conditions of the tyres, and make sure they are compliant with specifications and appropriate for the necessary speeds of the vehicle before buying them.

They were also encouraged to make a commitment to drive safely and to familiarise themselves with needed tire specifications so as to avoid hurting themselves or others on the road.

These efforts fall under the ‘Your Safety’ campaign that is carried out by the Abu Dhabi Police.

Colonel Mohamed Mayouf Al Ketbi, Head of Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi Police, said, “Promoting traffic safety, especially when related to tire validity, is a very essential matter to Abu Dhabi Police as we aim to protect the lives of drivers and other road users.” Colonel Al Ketbi highlighted the importance of carrying out the necessary technical tests for tires and of learning how to verify their serviceability.

General guidelines

1       Motorists are urged to measure the air pressure and look for any faults or damages in the main and spare tyres

2       When driving at high speeds, friction between tyres and the road may cause them to overheat and explode.

3       Do not rely on the appearance of the tyre alone.

4       Choose the right tyre for the vehicle’s speed and power.

5       Dispose of their damaged tyres in a proper manner and refrain from leaving them on the side of the road when changing their vehicle’s tyres. Tyres left on the road can hinder traffic flow and create obstacles that may lead to traffic accidents, as other drivers may have to veer suddenly to avoid them. This applies to drivers on main and side roads, but it is especially prevalent on highways.

6       Motorists are also urged to avoid oil spills on the roads as they damage the tyres and alter their efficiency.

Courtesy Major Abdullah Al Tunaiji, Chief, Public Relations Branch, Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department.

Life of tyres

7       Conduct periodic inspections to check for small stones, pieces of glass or bits of metal and or other foreign objects that may be wedged into the tread of the tire. The presence of any of these objects could cause the tyre to deflate, ultimately damaging the tyre and causing accidents.

8       Make sure that there is adequate air pressure in the tyre and there are no cracks or holes that may cause leakage.

9       Do not to adjust the air pressure, by either reducing or increasing, when the tyre is overheated.

10      Utilise the proper air pressure in order to avoid any detrimental effects that may result from making a bad decision, or by not considering the increased loads that may strain the tire.

11      Do not drive in areas that may affect the safety of the tyres.

12      The safety and security standards for tyres mean that tyres should be rotated approximately every 10,000km. It is preferable, however, to rotate the tyres if there are any signs of irregularity, uncomfortable driving or damage to the tires.

13      Adjust the alignment of the car’s tires in order to reduce wear-and-tear and carry out periodic inspections at least every three months.

14      If you choose to keep your car in your home, you should elevate it by using soft rubber pads under the tyre so they do not become flattened.

15      When changing tyres, make sure to pay special attention to the validity of the brakes before fitting new tyres. After installing new tyres, we recommend adjusting the wheel alignment to get balanced vibration and rotating the tyres every 10,000 km.

Courtesy Khaled Abdul Ghani, Technical Director at the Abu Dhabi Tyre Company
 

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