|
Tires are undoubtedly the most critical safety component on a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking. Because of this, a sudden tire failure can have serious consequences, especially if it occurs at highway speeds in a vehicle with a high center of gravity.
It's amazing that tires hold up as well as they do considering their vulnerability to road hazards. Many tires today are easily capable of going 80,000 miles or more - provided they are properly installed, maintained, aligned and inspected regularly.
With proper care and normal use, most tires will go the distance without a problem. But sometimes tires fail. Maybe it's the installers fault, the manufacturer's fault, the motorist's fault or nobody's fault. Even if the failure rate is only one in a million tires, a trial lawyer will argue it's one failure too many for his client.
The purpose of this column is not to assign blame for tire failures but to examine some of the causes and ways tire dealers can minimize the risk of such failures.
Failures From Underinflation
One of the most common causes of tire failure is underinflation. Tires that are underinflated experience excessive sidewall flexing, which causes them to run dangerously hot, especially at highway speeds during hot weather.
The buildup of heat can lead to tread separation or a sudden blowout. The underlying cause here may be lack of maintenance (not checking inflation pressure regularly) or a slow leak that has allowed the tire to lose air over time.
The main responsibility for preventing this type of failure is squarely on the shoulders of the vehicle owner. Motorists should read their owners manuals or the tire inflation decal on the door jamb or glove box door and know how much pressure their tires require. They should own a tire pressure gauge and know how to use it. They should check inflation pressures when the tires are cold and add air as needed to maintain the recommended pressure. If a tire is losing air, they should take their vehicle to a tire dealer so the problem can be diagnosed and repaired. Punctures, rim leaks and leaky valves can all cause a tire to lose air pressure.
The tire dealer's responsibility is to educate their customers on the importance of maintaining proper tire inflation pressure. If a customer doesn't know how to check their tires, show them. And if they don't own an accurately calibrated tire gauge, sell them one when they purchase tires or have tires repaired.
Technicians can also do their customers a service by checking tire inflation pressures anytime a vehicle is in for service, be it a tire rotation, alignment, brake job or oil change. Self-service gas means nobody may be checking the tires if the motorist doesn't do it himself.
|
|
