Want Safe And Comfortable Homecoming? Make Sure These 5 Things Have Been Prepared On Your Vehicle Tires

Illustration of checking air pressure on car tires (Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Excellent physical health and optimal vehicle conditions need to be considered before starting the homecoming trip. Tires, as one of the important components in driving, don't forget to make sure.

PT Michelin Indonesia Customer Engineering Support Fachrul Rozi said tires are one of the determining components in driving safety with various functions, such as to withstand loads, absorb shocks, and maintain vehicle stability.

"Therefore, the condition of the tires greatly affects the safety and comfort in driving," said Fachrul through an official statement, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, April 26.

Welcoming the moment of Eid 2022, French tire manufacturer Michelin shared five things that travelers must prepare regarding the condition of their tires before traveling.

1. Pay attention to the flower and tire tread

The development of the grooves and the thickness of the tread serves to maintain the traction of the tires when driving on the highway, especially when driving on wet or rainy road conditions.

Tires with tread grooves that have thinned and are approaching the thread wear indicator (TWI) have the potential to cause the vehicle to skid or aquaplanning when driving on wet road surface conditions.

To see if the tires still have a good tread groove, drivers can feel or see firsthand the condition of the tires.

The tire tread thickness indicator guide is 1.6 millimeters. This means that if the thickness of the tread has thinned so that it remains or is close to 1.6 millimeters, then the tire must be replaced.

2. Checking the air pressure on the tires

Drivers are required to check the tire pressure before traveling long distances. Make sure the air pressure is as recommended by the car manufacturer, which can be found on the car door pillar on the driver's side or on the fuel tank cap.

Low air pressure can put excessive stress on the tire wall so that in the long term it can cause tire bursts.

3. Make sure the load does not exceed the maximum limit

Often homecomers who travel not only bring themselves and family members, but also various cargoes to be distributed to relatives.

However, it is important for drivers to pay attention to the maximum load that can be borne by the vehicle so that the load is not overloaded.

If the load exceeds the maximum weight limit, it will make the vehicle more difficult to control and increase the risk of an accident.

4. Make sure the spare tire is in a ready-to-use condition

Spare tires are often overlooked by motorists when performing vehicle maintenance or when preparing a vehicle before a long trip. Even though the condition of the spare tire is no less important than the main tire used.

Before going home with a private vehicle, make sure the spare tire is in a ready-to-use condition. This means that the tires have the appropriate or slightly higher air pressure to prevent shrinkage during storage.

Also, make sure that there are no cracks in the spare tire, and that the tires are kept clean to prevent premature damage.

5. Check the usability and condition of the tires

Before starting the journey, do a thorough check of the condition of the tires. Make sure there is no damage, such as scratches/cracks on the tire walls, bumps, or worm patches.

Improper tire maintenance or repair conditions can trigger tire bursts when traveling at a certain speed.