Why Tyre Tread Checks Are Essential To Safe Winter Driving

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday July 21, 2007

James McCall James McCall is the chief executive of the Motor Traders' Association of NSW.

IF THE tread wear indicator is visible, the tyre should be replaced. It's as simple as that when it comes to tyre wear.

Motorists should keep an eye on the wear indicators at all times but especially in winter when tread, or more specifically tread depth, governs how much grip a car can get on wet or icy roads.

Minimum tread for braking and cornering in the wet is two millimetres. Any less is dangerous. Driving with completely bald, partially bald or balding tyres on wet or damp roads is like driving on ice. The fact that you can see tread does not necessarily mean that you have adequate tread.

A worn tyre reduces the effectiveness of braking, steering and acceleration. The best bet is regular visual inspections and servicing.

The tread wear indicator, or TWI, is a bar across the base of the tread that shows when a tyre has reached its minimum legal tread depth. It is marked in several positions, and when any one of these bars appears, the tyres must be replaced.

To find the indicators look for a triangle or the letters TWI around the shoulder of the tyre, where the sidewall meets the tread.

With winter upon us, motorists need to ensure their vehicle's tyres can meet all the challenges the road conditions can throw up.

Today's vehicles have many safety features, from seat belts to anti-lock brakes, stability control, adaptive suspension and transmissions, all-wheel-drive and airbags, but all amount to little if the tyres fail in some way.

Although modern tyres are generally reliable, good quality and long-lasting, they need maintenance to stay that way.

Tyre manufacturers and retailers encourage motorists to devote a few minutes a month to tyre care.

Having your tyres correctly inflated can reduce petrol costs, too. From 4 to 7 per cent of car's total fuel consumption can be attributed to the tyres, and if they are improperly inflated it will increase the number of times you'll have to fill the tank.

Tyres should be inflated and adjusted to the specified pressure set on on the tyre placard, which is usually on the inside of the driver's door, or in the owner's manual.

Under-inflation can damage tyres. If a tyre is unbalanced, then it will not sit evenly on the road, causing it to wear incorrectly.

The best way to avoid inconvenience due to bad tyres is to not let them get that way in the first place. They aren't cheap and price usually dictates quality. The more you pay, the better the tyre.

Seek advice from experts when replacing tyres because it is a waste of money buying a high-performance tyre for a family sedan or a general-duty tyre for a sports car.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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