ROAD SAFETY, JAGUAR AND MERCEDES
Last week, I told you that tyres age even when not used, or if only used occasionally. As I conclude the material culled from Michel in, rm em eb er that there are many factors that will affect the life of the tyre such as temperature, maintenance, conditions of storage and use, load, speed, pressure as well as driving style. These will have a great impact on the length of service life you can expect from your tyres. Pay regular attention to your tyres-For these reasons, Michelin recommends that all drivers pay regular attention to the external appearance of their tyres for clear signs of aging or fatigue. This can include cracking of the rubber or deformation, etc. Excessive aging of tyres may lead to loss of grip. Michelin also recommends all tyres, including the spare, are inspected regularly by a tyre specialist. They can tell you whether your tyres should continue in service. How old is too old? The five year test. After five years or more in service, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year. If the need arises, follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres. As a precaution, if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture (see how to read a tyre sidewall), Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator.
IF YOUR TYRE IS DAMAGED: Your tyre can be seriously damaged if it impacts any solid object on the road, like a kerb, pothole, or sharp object. Any visible perforation, cut or deformation must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional. Only they can tell you whether the tyre can be repaired or has to be changed. Never use damaged tyres or tyres that have run flat or at very low pressures unless they have been thoroughly examined internally and externally by a tyre professional. Inspection by a professional is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted; only then can a decision be made as to whether the tyre can be out back into service. Leave it to the experts A tyre specialist will tell you if your tyre can be repaired after damage has occurred.
IF YOU IDENTIFY ABNORMAL WEAR: Abnormal uneven tyre wear – in patches, in the centre, at the edges – may indicate a mechanical problem like improper wheel alignment, or a problem with wheel balance, suspension or transmission. It could also be that you’re driving with the wrong tyre pressure. If you notice abnormal wear, contact your tyre specialist. To prevent uneven wear, have your wheels aligned and balanced by a tyre specialist. This will also extend tread life and give you a smoother ride. Another way to keep your tyre wear even is to regularly rotate your wheel positions. Common causes of abnormal tyre wear: Wear on one shoulder: suspension misalignment. Wear on both shoulders: under-inflated tyre. Wear along the tyre’s centre: over inflation.
IF THEY’RE NOT SUITED TO YOUR VEHICLE:
For best all-around performance, the same type of tyre should be used in all four wheel positions. Tyres of different sizes, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability.
In addition, there maybe specific recommendations by vehicle or tyre manufacturers which may apply to your vehicle. These should be followed, please check your vehicle handbook for details. Never mix radial and non-radial tyres
Do not mix radial and non-radial (i.e. cross-ply or bias-belted) tyres on a vehicle. If mixing tyres is unavoidable, never mix radial and non-radial tyres on the same axle. If two radial and two non-radial tyres are installed on a vehicle, the two radials must be installed on the rear axle and the two non-radials on the front axle. There are many ways to find the proper tyres for your vehicle. If you’re not sure what tyres are best suited to your vehicle, use our tyre selector.
What does the law say?
REGULATION 25: This Regulation is concerned with the tyre’s load index and speed ratings. It specifically deals with items such as the tyres fitted to Goods Vehicles, Buses and Trailers and for which a Ministry Plating Certificate must have been issued, and a Ministry Plate attached to the vehicle.Amongst other vehicle information the Plate, which must be securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous location, gives the maximum axle and gross vehicle operating weights.
The Regulation requires that the tyres fitted to the vehicle are not only capable of supporting the maximum permitted load on each axle but of doing so at the vehicle’s maximum legal speed. In defining ‘load-capacity index’ and ‘speed category’ the Regulation makes reference to UN ECE Regulations 30 and 54 and to the European Union Directive 92/23/EEC.
REGULATION 26: Deals with the mixing of tyres of differing structures. The regulation defines three types of tyre structure, diagonal ply (Crossply), bias-belted and radial. No vehicle shall be fitted with tyres of differing structure on the same axle. For cars and vans (even with twinned rear axle), the following are the LEGAL tyre combinations. Mixing of a temporary spare tyre on a car is allowed, provided it is not driven at a speed exceeding 50mph:( Cross ply, (Crossply), Diagonal ply, (Crossply);
Biasbelted, biasbelted, Radial, Radial; Diagonalply, (Crossply),bias belted, bias belted, Radial, Diagonal ply, (Crossply), Radial. Regulation 27 : Deals with the condition and maintenance of tyres. It specifies when a tyre should not be used on the road due to for example: it not being suitable for the use to which the vehicle is being put, or issues relating to its condition or maintenance, such as inappropriate tyre pressures, cuts, bulges or tyre damage. It also allows the use of run flat tyres when in a deflated state provided the tyre and wheel are so constructed to be fit for the use to which the vehicle is being put.
This Regulation also specifies that the grooves of the tread pattern of every tyre fitted to cars and light vans shall be of a depth of at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three quarters of the breadth of tread round the entire circumference of the tyre. In accordance with these rules, look under the heading ‘Tyre selector’ for the alternatives offered by MICHELIN for each vehicle model.