Leading tyre maker Kumho, is urging motorists to use this time of isolation to give some thought to the condition and safety of their tyres, before they take to the roads again in a post Covid 19 world.
With most people confined to home for the time being, and not driving their cars any great distances, there is no better opportunity to spend a little extra time inspecting the tyres on their vehicles for damage, correct inflation and wear.
Kumho says that in our normally busy lives, the tyres on our vehicles are often overlooked and ignored and we usually only pay attention when they are damaged, punctured or worn out. However, if a little time is used to inspect your tyres now, it may prevent inconvenient and expensive failures down the track.
According to Kumho Tyre Australia sales and marketing director, David Basha, the chance to attend to things like inspecting the safety and condition of your vehicles tyres should be seen as an opportunity in this bleak time.
"Normally we would be advising motorists to have their tyres inspected ahead of the busy Easter holiday motoring period, to ensure safety and reliability while on long road trips, but 2020 is very different and very few of us will be on the road for any long trips in the next little while," said David Basha.
"But the Covid 19 restrictions won't be here forever, and this enforced break gives us the perfect time to make sure that tyres are safe, properly inflated and damage free."
Kumho recommends, that at the very least, motorists check the pressures on their vehicle tyres when they head to their fuel station ensuring that they match the recommended pressures on the manufacturer tyre pressure placard, which is usually positioned inside the jam of the driver's door.
An inexpensive tyre pressure gauge is a worthwhile investment to ensure the pressure in the tyre pressures can be easily and accurately checked.
Even slightly underinflated tyres require more energy and build up damaging heat more quickly which can lead to reduced economy and paying more for fuel than you need.
Not maintaining proper tyre inflation pressure costs consumers hundreds of dollars during their driving lifetime
Tyres should always be checked when cold to ensure accuracy as the pressure in the tyre will build up as they heat up and all recommended tyre pressures are for cold tyres. Kumho recommends that motorists check tyre air pressure at least monthly, and always before a long distance trip.
"Maintaining proper inflation pressure is essential for driving safety, handling, ride comfort and maximising fuel economy," said David Basha.
While checking the tyre pressure it is easy to have a close look at the tyre sidewall and tread area, checking for nicks, cuts or any foreign objects that may be stuck in the tyre tread, such as nails, screws or sharp stones. If there is a sharp object lodged in the tread, or if there are any signs of damage, Kumho recommends motorists head to their nearest specialist tyre dealer to have them either repaired or replaced.
"Tyres never choose a convenient place to deflate but if you spend a few minutes inspecting them now when you have some time, then when we do get moving again it will provide a little bit more peace of mind and some assurance of the safety of your tyres," David Basha added.
Also after months of drought and dry conditions it is important to ensure the tread on your tyres meets the mandatory limits and can cope with wet conditions when rain starts to fall.
All tyres are manufactured with tyre wear indicators inside the tread pattern to show when the tread has reached its lower safe limits. Most tyres have between four and six tread wear indicators which are small lateral bars that run across the tyre inside the tread at roughly 90 degrees to the general tread direction, and when they are around the same height as the surface of the tread, it is time to fit replacement tyres.
Motorists should also inspect for uneven tyre wear, and if this is apparent then they should consult their nearest tyre specialist, to have the wheel alignment checked and adjusted. Uneven tyre wear could also be as a result of over or under inflation and also as a result of worn shock absorbers.
"It all just underlines the importance of taking the opportunity to inspect the tyres while we have the time to do so," said David Basha.
Since its inception in 1960, Kumho Tyre has been a model of steady growth amid dramatic changes of business landscape. Driven by innovation in management and technical development Kumho has become one of the world's leading tyre companies.
Over the past half-century Kumho Tyres has built the foundation for a sustainable company, which has thrived through a full range of business environments.
Kumho has succeeded in the development of superior tyres for all vehicles including high performance, passenger, sports utility and recreational vehicles, as well as light trucks, heavy truck and buses, industrial, agricultural, mining and construction vehicles as well as aircraft.
Kumho produces tyres in Korea, China, Vietnam and the USA and distributes globally. In Australia it markets an extensive range of tyres for cars, 4WD's, light commercials, trucks and buses with a network centred around five state distribution facilities with the ability to deliver tyres to retailers across all areas of Australia.