Cutting Corners on Tyres Can Compromise Safety, Says Bridgestone

Tyres are the only part of the car that maintains the vehicle in contact with the road. The quality of the tyres is critical when it comes to keeping you safe on the roads. If the tyres are damaged, worn out, poorly maintained or are of poor quality in the first place, you are sure to experience problems while driving and could even have  a potentially fatal accident.

There is no leeway for cutting costs when it comes to choosing tyres for your car. With the Middle East being a region where some of the highest ambient temperatures in the world are recorded, and where the terrain can be particularly rough, tyres are pushed to their limits. Hence, it is important to select tyres that are of really good quality in the first place and to pay proper attention to their maintenance so that your vehicle can perform at its optimum level.

Tyres that are of inferior quality might be cheaper but they would be of such poor quality that they are not able to tolerate such harsh conditions. Another fact that needs to be borne in mind is that counterfeit tyres have entered the supply chain, especially at the lower end of the market. Hence, motorists should make it a point to opt for tyres from a reputable brand like Bridgestone. They should also purchase the tyres from an authorised retail franchise.

Another reason why you should opt for tyres from reputable brands is that when you choose sub-standard tyres, you could literally be putting your life on the line. Tyres from brands like Bridgestone not only comply with global standards in tyre manufacturing, but also conform to the specific regulations for the GCC countries which have been formulated in view of the extreme temperatures in the region. Tyres that are sold in the GCC should meet GSO (GCC Standardization Organisation) standards. They must undergo stringent tests like endurance tests to ensure that tyres can tolerate long journeys in extreme heat without risk of failure. A tyre breaking energy test measures a tyre’s resistance to punctures using a standardised plunger. The bead unseating test is conducted to ensure that a tyre will not leak air at the rim when subject to a specified load while a rubber property analysis ensures that the materials that the tyres are made from meet GSO standards.

Tyres which are available in the market through the grey market despite failing to meet these standards might be more prone to fail in multiple situations like bead separation, high speed blowouts and premature wear.

Tyres from leading brands like Bridgestone and Pirelli, on the other hand not only meet the norms for the GCC market but are also constantly innovating and developing products that can perform better. They invest hundreds of millions of dollars in product development and partnerships with other leading company to provide customers with tyres of the best quality.

There are several things that motorists can also take to ensure that they do not experience tyre trouble. These include periodically checking tyre pressure as recommended by car manufacturers and also conducting visual checks to check for wear and tear. Taking such proactive measures can help motorists to save, money, time and energy over the long term.

When driving a vehicle, debris on the road can cause small cuts and cracks which become bigger over time. Such cuts and cracks if detected early can be easily repaired to ensure that the tyres last longer.

Another important point to keep in mind that the tyres that you choose should be suitable for the type of vehicle that you drive. You cannot use normal passenger car tyres for an SUV and vice versa.

Using tyres that are cheaper but are of inferior quality can have a significant impact on the performance of a vehicle when it comes to critical aspects like braking, cornering, economy, noise, durability, ride comfort and performance at speed.

Another aspect most motorists fail to take into account is the load in their vehicles. It is important not to overload the vehicle, especially for long trips as this causes unnecessary strain on the tyres.

Tyres to some extend are part of the vehicle’s suspension system as they can offset damage to the wheel rims or the suspension system itself. Performing this critical task becomes harder when the vehicle is heavily loaded. Hence, it is important to be aware of the weight restrictions and, where appropriate, to fit reinforced tyres rated for extra load (XL).

When purchasing tyres, they should be bought from an authorized retailer like the First Stop chain for Bridgestone tyres in the UAE. Such retailers will provide motorists with service and expertise that has been authorized by the manufacturer. Hence, though you might cut corners when it comes to other products, it might put your life at risk if you do that while purchasing tyres.