Sports Utility Vehicle

Car / SUVs / Passenger Vehicles – Tyre Safety & Saving Tips to increase life and proficiency of your tyres

Tyre Safety & Saving Tips

Make sure you not only select the right tyres, but also regularly maintain them to ensure they perform at their best.

1. Contact Patch

A big job for a small surface

§ The part of your tyre that is actually in contact with the road is only about the size of a man’s hand. Your safety, comfort and fuel economy depends on that very small surface. It’s important because your tyres:

§ Are the only link between your vehicle and the road

§ Carry the entire weight of your car, a load of up to 50 times their own weight

§ Respond to driving inputs such as steering, acceleration and braking from the car to the road surface

§ Absorb every obstacle on the road

2. Tyre Wear & Tread Depth

A quick & easy safety measure

§ Make sure to regularly check the tread depth of your tyres and replace them when they are worn. This will guarantee maximum traction and grip, helping you avoid any unpleasant surprises. Your safety depends on a good level of tread depth because:

§ The tread grooves disperses water from underneath your tyre, helping maintain control

§ The more tread depth you have remaining on your tyres, the more water you can disperse and therefore reduce the risk of aquaplaning

§ Correct air pressure as well as regular vehicle maintenance will ensure your tyres perform at their best for the longest possible time

§ The tread grips to the road, affecting the distance you require for braking

3. Tyre Pressure

Check your tyre pressure every month

Correct tyre pressure reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle. It also protects your tyres from premature wear and irreversible damage to the internal construction. Tyre pressure can drop due to small perforations, the natural escape of air through the tyre’s components or even from a decrease in ambient temperatures. So it is important to check it once a month, because:

§ Low pressure increases the risk of damage to your tyres

§ Excess pressure of 20% can reduce the life of your tyre by up to 10,000 kms

§ Correct tyre pressure will even save fuel

The recommended tyre pressure can be found:

§ In the User’s Manual of your vehicle

§ On the labels on the side door beside the driver’s seat

§ In the storage drawer near the driver’s seat

§ On the inside of the fuel flap

But NOT on the tyre. The inflation pressure shown on the tyre sidewall is only the maximum tyre inflation pressure.

4. Balancing

Keep your balance for longer life

Balancing helps prevent premature wear of your tyres and eliminates vibration. It also protects the suspension, steering system and bearings of your vehicle. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This will cause:

§ Uneven and rapid tread wear

§ Vibration

§ More stress on front-end parts

§ Front-end parts to wear prematurely

5. Wheel Alignment

Ensure safety with correctly aligned wheels and axles

It is difficult to tell if your wheels and axles are correctly aligned while driving. But if your vehicle’s suspension geometry is incorrect, its road handling may be disrupted and your safety compromised. It’s important to ensure correct alignment to:

§ Get the best road handling

§ Protect your tyres from irregular and / or rapid wear

§ Save fuel

6. Rear Tyre

For complete control, fit your new tyres to the rear axle

Rear wheels are not connected to your steering wheel, which makes it extremely difficult to judge their grip while driving. So for your safety, always fit new, or the least worn, tyres to the rear wheel positions to ensure:

§ Better control in emergency braking or tight corners

§ Less risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially on wet surfaces

§ Better road holding, particularly in difficult situations, whether your car is front or rear wheel drive

7. Tyre Valves

Valve caps protect you and your tyres

Valves and their components are ordinarily made of rubber, so they are subject to deterioration over time. Replace them when you buy new tyres. At high speeds, a cracked, deteriorated rubber valve stem can bend from centrifugal force and allow air loss. The valve cap is also important. It is the primary air seal and helps to keep out dust and dirt particles. You should check that your valves and valve caps are in good condition to:

§ Maintain an airtight seal

§ Maintain the correct tyre pressure

§ Ensure longer tyre life

8. Tyre Repairs

The first step to repair a tyre is to call a professional

When a tyre needs to be repaired, it is essential to have an authorised tyre retailer or technician remove the tyre from the wheel and inspect it from the inside. It is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted to the wheel. A professional will:

§ Verify the internal condition of the tyre, detecting any damage not visible on the surface

§ Ensure the correct methods and materials are used to repair the tyre

§ Ensure the tyre is refitted correctly, optimising handling and comfort

To know about more on tyres, tyres shops, tyres showroom visit our website www.buzznoida.com. Browse our section on Tyres Shops of Automobile & Vehicle category http://www.buzznoida.com/scategory/tyres-shops/194.aspx.

Tags: increase, life, Passenger, proficiency, Safety, Saving, SUVs, Tips, Tyre, tyres, Vehicles
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SUV Rollover Accidents

Sport-utility vehicles or SUV’s are popular among American drivers for their sleek designs, powerful towing capability, and ability to carry passengers comfortably. Despite these beneficial features, SUV’s are prone to tipping and rolling-over during accidents on the roadways. A majority of injuries involving SUV’s have been shown to occur during rollover following a crash.

The high instances of SUV rollover can be attributed to many factors, including:

•  Most SUV’s feature a narrow track-width combined with a high center of gravity.  The frames of most SUV’s are narrow (like cars) but are typically placed higher from the ground. It is recommended that automakers attempt to lower SUV chassis closer to the ground, but most designs feature a high center of gravity, increasing the chances of rollover.

•  Many people believe that the more weight in a vehicle, the more stable it will be.

Unfortunately, more weight in SUV’s often increases the risk of rollover. The increased passenger space in most SUV’s allows for more weight to be added to the vehicle, and increased weight on a high-center of gravity vehicle, means a higher likelihood of rolling-over.

•  SUV’s were originally designed as off-road vehicles, and were initially designed with additional safety features to prevent injuries in the event of roll-overs. Roll-bars were often installed to help prevent the frame from crushing if the vehicle tipped or rolled.  Commercial SUV’s often do not feature roll-bars and the lack of such safety features often make the vehicles dangerous to occupants inside.

Popular models of SUV’s include the Ford Explorer, Nissan X-Terra, Toyota 4 Runner, and the Honda Passport.

Unfortunately, these models have also shown to be particularly susceptible to roll-over accidents resulting in injury or death. People who choose to drive an SUV should be aware of the rollover dangers in the event of an accident and should exercise caution while driving.  It is recommended that drivers be aware of the wider turn-radius needed while driving an SUV, and should always be careful while braking or stopping suddenly.

Individuals who have been harmed in an auto accident involving an SUV may be eligible for personal injury compensation. If the accident was the result of neglect on the part of another individual, the injured parties may be able to expect some kind of resolution. For more information regarding SUV rollovers and personal injury, visit the website of the Madison personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.  

Tags: Accidents, Rollover
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