Message to anyone who drives

J_Eden · Post by **J_Eden** » 07 Jul 2006, 11:29

This is a serious message from someone who is trying to keep people safe on the roads.

First off, I'm a tyre technician/mechanic apprentice with a large garage in Wellingtn NZ. The past few days we have had torrential rain that has created surface flooding on the roads. Not a big deal if you are sensible and keep a safe following distance.

But people with bald tyres and low tread depth are endangering peoples lives in this sort of weather. In the wet, travelling at 100kph, the ideal following distance is 4 seconds in order to stop safely if the guy ahead of you stops suddenly. With bald tyres, you are effectivley increasing that distance to 10 seconds.

I know I'm probably flogging a dead horse here, but at work we have all been hit with a problem. A guy came in for a Warrent of Fitness last week. Failed on 2 front tyres. We offered to fit him two tyres, but he wanted to shop around. Fair enough. We let him go. Yesterday, he was involved in a nose to tail. In hospital with two broken legs, broken arm, fractured rib and a strained back. Kinda opens your eyes a little and makes you realise what you are actually in this job for.

So, instead of being a moaning little boy, just make sure that your tyres are in good condition, pumped up to 30psi (its what we keep most tyres at in NZ, not sure about UK and US), and get a wheel alignment every 6 months or 10000km so you are not getting uneven tyre wear and suspension issues.

I'll get off the box now. Ahhhh, thats where I left my hat and coat....

James

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 07 Jul 2006, 11:46

Totally agree with you on that James.........It never surprises me on how many people ignore their tyres.....I have seen quite a few worn tyres that my son has removed from customers' cars all because they want to get as much use out of them before having to dip their hands into their pockets!!!

Another point is that especially during the winter months, when the temperature drops significantly.........so will the tyre pressures!!!

Although the legal limit here is one and a half mm (Kan't spel that word) I always change mine at two. Another point is don't ever consider purchasing part worn tyres....you may think your're saving money but they can be lethal especially if they have been over kerbs etc. as any damage to them may not be immediately apparent unless given close examination, so whilst you may think you are saving money.....it could cost you a lot more should they fail!!

J_Eden · Post by **J_Eden** » 07 Jul 2006, 12:06

1.5mm is legal limit here too. 2 is the best time to replace them. Still enough to last a bit and close enough to get rid of them.

If you hit the kerb, do not assume its ok. Take it into a tyre dealer adnd get them to take it off the rim and check the inside of the sidewall. Sidewall damage is not a pretty thing for anyone. Some things I see give me the chills just thinking about what people do drive on. Not a pleasant thought :shock:

At least the message is trying to get through. Sole 16 tyres to people today, so somethings changing with attitudes. Just wish more people could.

James

Dyl Roberts · Post by **Dyl Roberts** » 07 Jul 2006, 16:07

The Legal limit here in the UK is 1.6mm throughout the continuous band

I used to be a tyre fitter for 7years, & concur with every single thing you say there James!!

J_Eden · Post by **J_Eden** » 07 Jul 2006, 22:31

1.6 all over? Man thats better than what we have. For a vehicle to pass a warrent, you need to have 1.5mm across 3/4 of the foot. That still leaves 1/4 of tread you might need in an emergency.

I gotta say though, being a tyre fitter is one excellant job to have. Although something doesnt look right when you put brand spanking new shiny tyres onto a beat up ol' rust bucket :think:

Just out of curiosity Dyl, what brand of tyres did you fit?

James

migeater0 · Post by **migeater0** » 07 Jul 2006, 23:12

I thought it was 1.6mm over the centre 3/4 of the tyre

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 07 Jul 2006, 23:19

So did I... pretty sure thats what I was when I had to know these things for my driving test a couple of years ago :think:

andy · Post by **andy** » 07 Jul 2006, 23:32

Here it is guy's.............

http://www.tyresafety.co.uk/html/ts/tread.htm

Dyl, I think that EEC regulations have now superceeded the original UK regulations.
I went to Salford University about 10 years ago to take my CPC, (Transport managers license) and it was 1.7mm then.

Things change, and they dont tell us.

david balmer · Post by **david balmer** » 07 Jul 2006, 23:39

on the single trailer, four axle unit. all the tyres are interconnected to the main air compressor. so if we get a nail,bolt or something else all the tyres keep the deflating one up. good idea :think: no realy as we have some drivers that will not report defective tyres and leave it to the rest of us.
the unit i have has the old way of doing things, if it get a puncture it goes flat :crying: lose two hours and wait for repair. tyre tread here in canada on hgv is when the cloth shows change the tyre. officially it is 1.5mm on everything.
my main grip is the glue on treads used for everything, even steering axle. i refuse and they are the only ones i have replaced with new standard tyres. every other tyre is glue on treads. with this unit we go through tyres like laxatives

lots of tyre scrubbing due to bending the unites into places that even car driver have problems with.

andy · Post by **andy** » 07 Jul 2006, 23:51

Same here David.
I always insisted on new tyres on the steering axle.(Michelin or Goodyear.)
Remoulds are acceptable on the trailer though.