Expert Advice from City Tyres, Mandela Group
Most motorists often get into their vehicles and drive off every day without visually inspecting their tyres, believing that “all is well.” However, they forget that tyres are the only contact between the vehicle and the road surface, regardless of the speed at which they are driving. This calls for utmost care and attention regarding safety on the road.
At City Tyres, the leading tyre solution provider in Uganda, we would like to share some essential tips on tyre care and maintenance with motorists. These tips are in line with our slogan, “Keeping You Safe on the Road.”
Inflation Pressure
Always check the pressure in all your tyres frequently, including the spare tyre. The pressure should be maintained at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Under-inflated tyres can cause poor fuel efficiency and premature tyre wear.
Physical Inspection
Regularly inspect your tyres for cuts, bulges or foreign materials embedded in the treads. Damaged tyres should be replaced, while punctured tyres should be repaired professionally. City Tyres offers specialised repair on punctured or damaged tyres, if the damage is within repairable specifications.
Load Capacity
For those in the transport business, never overload your tyres. The maximum load-carrying capability of your tyres is indicated on the tyre sidewall. Excess load leads to more flexing and friction, which could cause premature tyre failure.
Wheel Balancing and Alignment
Wheel balancing and alignment are also very important tyre maintenance basics. Balance your tyres every time they are mounted on the rim, either when fitting new tyres or after repair. Align your vehicle periodically to prevent irregular or fast tread wear. Both wheel balancing and wheel alignment are recommended after every 5,000 km, depending on the nature of terrain on which the vehicle operates and vehicle condition. City Tyres offers computerised wheel alignment and balancing using state-of-the-art equipment.
Tread Wear
Never drive on worn-out tyres! Replace them as soon as they reach the tread wear indicator, approximately 1.6mm for passenger, 4WD and SUV tyres. Worn-out tyres apart from lacking traction and braking capabilities, lead to excessive fuel consumption and compromising your road safety.
Tyre Rotation
Tyre rotation is very important for even and balanced tread wear. Swap the tyre positions after every 5,000 km. Rotation can be done by directly swaping tyres from front to rear and vice versa, or by swaping diagonally from front to rear technically called cross-rotation. This ensures that all tyres wear at the same rate and last longer, almost 20% more life.
Road Hazards
While on the road, avoid driving over road objects whether sharp or blunt, such as potholes, glass or metal. They may damage not only the tyres due to impact or cuts but also the suspension is impacted. Avoid spinning tyres excessively on mud, gravel or when jammed in a trench, as this can cause friction and heat, tread chipping and eventually chunking.
Speed Rating
Never drive your vehicle at speeds greater than recommended for the tyre you are using. The manufacturer marks all tyres with the appropriate speed rating.
The secret to achieving significant savings through tyre maintenance is consistently implementing these tips. If well implemented, any end-user and fleet owner will achieve significant savings in terms of tyre life and fuel efficiency while ensuring the safety for themselves and others on the road.
Visit the nearest City Tyres, Mandela Group’s outlet, for more tyre maintenance tips while you enjoy our various value-added services.
Stay safe on the road and arrive alive!
Author – Fredrick Mwaluko Head Technical
Mandela Group of Companies
This tips r very helpful, thank you Fedrick and team Mandela.
Rockterra and subtera appreciates your endless support and tyre training sessions which has given us value for. money 👏🏻👍
with all these knowledge ,we get more confidence regarding the Mandela group in relation to there products and services they offer
Thanks for being a leading company in transforming the country and the world as well. “Knowledge acquired is power”
Good advise, I appreciate and please post more lessons about tyre maintenance
Beautiful information for all drivers, fleet owners and even those aspiring to drive. Well done Mandela group.
Amazing
Good tips for we drivers , safety is key thanks for precautionary tips
Thanks Fredrick
Thx author,well equipped tyre knowledge of high standard sir 🙏🙏
What tyre pressure is recommended for small cars front and back. And why?
Ideally, tyre operating pressure is given by the vehicle manufacturer based on the vehicle type and original tyre size (OEM tyre size)
However, most sedans (saloon cars) use 30Psi on the front and 35Psi on the rear. The reason why the front is 5Psi less is solely for ride comfort and handling.
It’s a great pleasure receiving this information inform of tips. Otherwise it’s a wake up call to whoever drives for safe journeys and besides am appreciation to the author for Sharing these wonderful tips with the world.
Let’s be safe on the road 🛣️
Precise and Very educative
Educative Information on wheels. Good job well done Sir. Every driver or those aspiring to drive must know the above.
This is very great information
So many accidents have been happening of resent reason
Flat tyers, old tyres, tyre got off
Well done sir
Great job,very educative.
Very nice and Educative informtion,we need more of this thank you Fred
Very helpful and educative tips keep up with the good job … waiting for other articles
Thanks for this, it is so informative.
This is really good information for all vehicle owners let’s keep applying them to get that extra mileage from the casings. Thanks to the author for the concern to share this wisdom
These tips will surely keep us safe on the road.Fredrick.
Very important.thank you