Pay Attention to Tires for Safe Traffic on Long Roads!
An important warning for those planning to go on a long journey during the Eid holiday: Erdal Kurt, Secretary General of the Tyre Manufacturers and Importers Association (LASİD), emphasized that drivers should pay attention to their tyres. Erdal Kurt said, “Although it is time to remove winter tires, it is important for our drivers to follow the weather conditions and governor's announcements of the region they will be traveling to due to sudden changes in weather conditions. Using tires appropriate for the season is essential for safe driving.”
One of the most important issues for those planning to go on a long journey by combining the Ramadan holiday and school holidays is tires. Emphasizing the importance of tires for safe traffic, LASİD Secretary General Erdal Kurt said, “The area where a tire touches the road is almost as small as the palm of your hand. The only connection point connecting the driver to the road is these tires. For this reason, we must take great care of tires. We strongly recommend that our drivers who will go on a long journey use tires suitable for the season and have their tire maintenance checked.”
Should You Get Winter Tires or Not?
Noting that the winter tire application has ended as of April 1, Erdal Kurt stated that drivers can access the most up-to-date and accurate information from provincial governorships: “The right tire is the one that is suitable for the season, road and vehicle. Due to seasonal transitions and climate change, sudden changes in weather conditions can occur. Although the winter tire application has ended, the regulation leaves the authority to extend or advance this period to the governorships. For this reason, we recommend that our drivers follow the governorship announcements of the region they will travel on. These announcements are of great importance in order to remove winter tires and switch to seasonal tires. Using winter tires in warming weather increases fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. If winter tires are continued to be used in hot weather, the tires will wear out and wear out faster. These tires should be removed before setting off on a long journey and replaced with seasonal tires. However, due to changes in weather conditions and regional differences, it is important to follow the governorship announcements before deciding whether to remove winter tires or not.”
Tire Maintenance and Checks
Erdal Kurt added that tire maintenance and control should be done by an expert: “Before the trip, you should definitely have your tires checked by an expert. Mounting them on the right rim, pumping the right air and making balance adjustments are the most important points to pay attention to for a safe drive. Air pressure should be checked according to the criteria recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You should also have the tread depth of your tires measured and make sure that your spare tire is intact with the same checks. You should detect problems such as irregular wear, punctures or wear in advance by having the tread, bead and tread checked. These maintenance and controls provide fuel savings and provide you and your vehicle with a safer, more economical and more comfortable drive on long journeys. In addition, these measures extend the life of your tire.”
Things to Do Before You Set Off
- Check your tire's tread depth: Tread depth must not be less than the legal limit of 1.6 mm.
- Have your tires checked by authorized services: Teeth, heels, sidewalls and backs should be checked by experts. If there are any problems such as irregular wear, punctures or tears, be sure to have them examined.
- Correct assembly: You must ensure that your tires are mounted on a suitable and technically appropriate rim. The rim size must be the dimensions specified by the tire manufacturer.
- Air pressure control: You should check that your tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure and inflate them to the correct pressure recommended in your vehicle's user manual.
- Balance settings: You should have your tires balanced at authorized service centers.
- Wheel nut tightening process: When mounting your tires on your vehicle, you should tighten the opposite lug nuts and have them installed completely and securely, and check the tightness.
- Suitable tire information: The most suitable tire size, type, model, features and appropriate tire pressure for your vehicle are determined by your vehicle manufacturer. This information is available in your vehicle's user manual.
Source: (BYZHA) Beyaz News Agency
