Driving is a joy on a good day and an exercise in frustration on a bad one, but no one can deny it usefulness. When done right, a car can be an extraordinarily useful thing to have, but alas, most of us take our cars for granted, often ignoring one of its most crucial components, the tires. From ignoring them altogether to believing certain myths, the misinformation is all pervasive. Here are a few tire and driving myths you definitely should not pay any attention to.
- Tire rotation is not required:
Some people think tire rotation is not only needless but also dangerous, while nothing could be further from the truth. Tire rotation prolongs the tire’s lifespan and maximises safety. This is because, each cars tire wears differently depending on where it is positioned on the car, tire rotation helps to even out this wear.
- Turn the wheel hard to fight a skid:
Every driver has at least one minor accident. Turning the wheel against the turn is an instinctual but unsafe thing to do as it may make the skid worse. Instead, the correct response is to turn to wheels in the direction the one wants to go.
- Braking sharply is a good way to test your brakes:
Even though cars have the capacity to brake hard in an emergency as a default, one should avoid it as much as possible. Quick braking at lights and stop signs can add to brake wear over time. Good braking is about anticipating and gradual deceleration. Inculcating this habit is also good for your car tires.
- Race to the pump on low fuel:
It is normal to feel anxious when the reserve light blinks on but there is no need to worry. Most cars can go for 30 km more so while finding the nearest petrol station is a necessity, it is not something to be excessively worried about.
- Used tires are always bad or useful:
People are strongly divided on this topic, but no one is right. The wear of the car tires matter. An excessively worn tire should be thrown away, but a tire with a still intact tread can be used as a spare.
- Tire checks are not required:
From taking a walk around the car, to doing a tread examination and checking that the tires are properly inflated, a regular tire check is crucial not only for the tire but also the health and safety of those who ride in the vehicle. Forgoing frequent tire checks is the most dangerous misconception people can have, one that leads to many accidents all across the world.
Driving safe and practising good tire habits can significantly affect your driving experience and keep you, loved ones and others who share the road with you. The rules of safe driving and tire maintenance not something one should ignore, after all it is better to spend a few extra minutes checking one’s tires or arriving a few minutes than to regret it for the rest of one’s life.
The Tyre Zone 