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Tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road. They, therefore, warrant substantial attention and care. Tyres that are in good condition ensure good acceleration, steering, cornering and braking. While most motorists check regularly on the oil and water levels, they generally neglect the conditions of their tyres. It is essential to take special care of your tyres as they are a vital component of road safety.
A flat tyre is not only a hassle; it can also be a major hazard too. Invest in a tyre pressure gauge and check the tyre pressure at least once a fortnight when the tyres are cold.
It’s important to know the proper air pressure of your tyre. This information can be found on a placard on the glove box door, driver’s door pillar, or in the owner’s manual. Inflate the tyres to the recommended pressure.
Do not under-inflate or over-inflate your tyres. It can upset handling. The slightest under-inflation can lead to excessive tread wear on the shoulders. Over-inflation will cause ride harshness and deformation of the tread and the tyres will wear out quickly along the centre. Lumps and bulges indicate that the outer rubber is separating from the main structure of the tyre. These can blow out and cause loss of control of the vehicle. Over-inflation is, however, recommended for long distance driving and/or when the car is heavily laden. Improper tyre pressure wears out the tyres, leading to costly replacements
Remember to conduct a monthly check on the treads. Remove any stones, flints or other foreign objects caught in the treads. If these are not removed, they may work their way deeper and damage the tyres. Any deep cut can be dangerous for driving. If you notice any damage or irregularity, seek professional assistance immediately.
Smooth or bald tyres result in skidding when you step hard on the brakes regardless of whether the road is wet or dry. Generally, tyres with tread less than 1.6mm in depth should be replaced. You can also compare the tread to the tread wear indicator (TWI), if there is any, on your tyre. A TWI is a bar, approximately 1.5mm high, located at the bottom of the tread groove. This serves as an early warning that you should replace your tyre. It’s not usually visible, but when it can be seen, it’s time to replace the tyre. If you’re still unsure about whether to replace your tyre, consult the manufacturer or dealer.
Each tyre wears out at a different rate, as each of them supports a different weight. For maximum tyre life, rotate the tyres every 7,000-8,000km. For high-powered vehicles, it is recommended that you rotate them every 5,000km. A common method is to rotate tyres from one side to the other. Alignment should also be checked on a regular basis – at every 16,000km.
Do not overload your car. Be aware that towing a boat or water scooter indirectly imposes extra load on the vehicle. In addition, you should avoid fast starts and stops, and sharp turns. Steer clear of potholes and hard objects on the road and avoid hitting the tyres against the curb.
Check that your spare tyre is inflated as well. You should have your car jack in your car at all times and learn how to use it.
Sports rims are very popular these days. If your tyres are fixed with sports rims but the spare tyre is not, do ensure that you carry the appropriate studs for the latter. The studs for sports rims are longer. If you do not have the correct studs, you will not be able to change your tyre, as the longer studs will not fit into the original rim. Do not attempt to fasten the studs by force. This may cause damage to the brake discs. Some sports rims come with wheel caps, which can only be removed using the Allen key or designated tools. To facilitate the recovery crew of changing your car’s tyres, please ensure that you have the studs and the special tool ready for removal of the wheel caps.
Aggie Krasnolucka
is Programmes Director at the FIA Foundation where she looks after its portfolio of road safety interventions as well as leads the Motorcycle Initiative – a global hub of interventions working towards improving motorcycle safety across areas of helmet safety, infrastructure, technology, and legislation.
Previously, she worked across different areas of the international development context including community outreach and engagement, road safety, access to health, private public partnerships as well as fundraising and communications. Aggie holds a master’s degree in social anthropology as well as linguistics and literature.
Professor Wong
is currently a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, University Putra Malaysia. He has been serving the department and the University since 1997. During his service, Professor Wong was seconded to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), a Statutory Body in Malaysia (with MIROS Act 2012) and a national research institute in Malaysia in December 2007 as the Director of Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics Research Centre. He was then appointed as the Director-General of MIROS in August 2011. His 10-year secondment to MIROS ended in September 2017 and was appointed to be the MIROS Board Director. In February 2022, Professor Wong is appointed as the Chairman of MIROS Board of Directors. Professor Wong is also appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Qatar University. He served as the Special Advisor on Road Safety to the Minister of Transport and Communications Myanmar till 2021. He was appointed to serve in the Steering Committee of the United Nations Road Safety Fund from 2022 to 2024. Recently Professor Wong was appointed as the Fellow of the Academy of Science Malaysia.
Professor Wong has driven the drafting, deliberation and enactment of MIROS Act 2012 by the Parliament of Malaysia. He is also directly and indirectly involved in establishing numerous national and international initiatives and interventions in Road Safety, amongst them are rear seatbelt law, national implementation framework of UN WP29 Regulations, enforcing various UN Regulations on Road Vehicles, airbag fitment, ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) for Malaysia, Guideline for Road Safety Audit, Code of Practices for Transport Sector under OSHA Malaysia, ISO39001 road traffic safety management systems and the competence requirements for auditing and certification in ISO17021-7, Pilot implementation of ISO39001 in Malaysia, use of electric cars, motorcycles and bicycles, in-depth crash and accident database, Automated Enforcement System, Mandatory of Electronic Stability Control System, Revision of Drive Under Influence, Malaysian Accident Emergency Call Systems Initiative, Endorsement of 2015 ASEAN Declaration on Road Safety Strategy by ASEAN Transport Ministers, road safety recommendations to the Government of Myanmar with in-Country Expert Mission to Myanmar, and many others.
Mr. Michihiro Toki
is a seasoned mobility and road safety expert with over 25 years at the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). He currently serves as Manager of the Project Development Division in JAF’s Traffic Environment Department, leading national road safety campaigns and sustainable mobility initiatives.
Mr. Toki began his career in 1998 as a roadside assistance patrol officer, gaining hands-on experience with the diverse challenges faced by drivers in Japan. He transitioned to membership promotion in 2006, working with automotive dealers to expand JAF’s member base.
In 2018, he assumed a leadership role at the branch level, overseeing road safety, motorsports, and public relations. As a JAF Certified Safety Advisor, he delivered safety lectures, managed motorsport activities, and led public outreach. Promoted in 2021 to Section Manager, he expanded his role to include Safety Advisor training, PR strategy, and membership benefit development.
Appointed to his current position in 2024, Mr. Toki now directs the training of Safety Advisors nationwide and develops interactive programs for diverse audiences, including international drivers. He collaborates with government and industry partners to tackle traffic safety issues.
Beyond JAF, Mr. Toki serves on national bodies including the Sub Study Group for Advanced Safety Vehicles (MLIT), the Cabinet Office’s Traffic Safety Forum, and as Vice-Chairman of the Training Commission at the Japan Automobile Education Foundation.
Mr. Toki is recognised for his dedication to public safety, his strategic leadership in mobility initiatives, and his deep commitment to enhancing the driving culture in Japan.
Mr. Tay Chay Sim
Mr Tay Chay Sim Senior Technical Consultant and Trainer AAS Academy Mr Tay Chay Sim is the Senior Technical Consultant and Trainer for AAS Academy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Automobile Association of Singapore where he conducts and leads the training team in delivering safe driver courses to all classes of drivers, including private and commercial drivers.
He has been professionally awarded international accreditations from International Road Transport Union (IRU) Academy, The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), DriveTech UK and Institute of Adult Learning, Singapore. He is a certified MORRTM (Managing Occupational Road Risk) auditor by RoSPA.
Chay Sim is an advocate for continuous learning on safe driving. With over 20 years of experience in the automobile industry, Chay Sim is also known for his strong technical expertise and contributes his knowledge to print and media publications. He is effectively bilingual and has made appearances on TV shows and guest panel speaker to events and seminars. Prior to joining AA Singapore, Chay Sim worked with the SMRT Corporation and PSA Singapore on mechanical and electrical services as well as vehicle maintenance and repairs services. er AAS Academy