Tyre check wise

Press, 16 April 1981, Page 15

Tyre check wise

If the good weather en-_ joyed throughout most _of New Zealand since Christmas holds there could be a big exodus of cars, boats, and caravans to holiday spots this week-end. The wise holidaying motorists will check their vehicles and what they intend towing early, particularly the tyres and wheels. “Anyone planning to join the holidaying thousands could find it a good idea to check their tyres now,” said Mr Peter Jenkins, the service manager for Dunlop New Zealand. “Pay particular attention’ • to car tyre pressures, checking these at internvals of a ’few days in the cool of the morning before using the vehicle and using a reliable gauge. And watch the tread depth. Prolonged warm, weather driving may have affected the tread of your car tyres since you last looked.”

Mr Jenkins emphasises the importance of a thorough inspection of the tyres and wheels of trailers, boat trailers and caravans. “A thorough check is especially necesarv if you have left the towed vehicle parked on the back lawn unused since Christmas. “Apart from heat and sunlight affecting the tyres, Wheel bearings may need some attention because they tend to dry out when not used and may require repacking with grease.” He also warns about the “smoothie” in-the boot. “Emergency use of a smooth, balding spare may not cause trouble in a warm dry spell. But if a sudden shower is experienced then’ watch out, because that “smoothie” can become very dangerous due to the possibility of aquaplaning.” Mr Jenkins suggests any-

one with a spare tyre which has a suspected illegal tread depth may still able to use this as a deposit on a good retreaded tyre for use as a spare. “It may cost a few dollars but at least you are buying safety and a little accident •insurance.”