The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) monitors new and used tyres under its Standards Compliance programme to ensure that they meet the requirements of the following three standards: Specification for pneumatic passenger car tyre, Specification for new pneumatic tyres for commercial highway vehicles, and the Code of Practice for the storage of tyres, inner tubes and flaps. The monitoring is done by Inspectors of the Bureau at ports of entry and at bonds and warehouses, where imported tyres are examined for labeling and quality requirements. Tyres that are fully labeled would adequately guide users as to their size, pressure and load requirements that must be complied with to ensure safety and to avoid the loss of lives due to road accidents. The following are some tips which will help in the care and use of tyres: TYRE PRESSURE
Check the air pressure of each tyre at least fortnightly. Incorrect tyre pressure can lead to the inside of the tyre being damaged, resulting in tyre problems or even a blowout.
Tyres must be inflated to specified pressures. The pressure inside warm tyres is naturally higher and must be reduced, and on cooling, can fall below the minimum tyre pressure. (Driving, especially a high speeds, causes heat build-up in tyres).
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature and uneven tyre wear. Under-inflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance which means higher fuel consumption.
TYRE DAMAGE
If a tyre is visibly damaged (that is, has a fracture or a cut that exposes the carcass) or has an unusual wear pattern, the tyre must be taken off and examined as quickly as possible by a tyre specialist.
Driving over curb-stones or over potholed roads may cause internal damage to tyres, leading to failure at high speeds.
Check tyres regularly for damage as sharp stones, nails etc. can penetrate the tyre tread. These need to be removed. Check also if there are bulges or cuts on the sidewall.
For virtually all vehicles, rotating the tyres from one axle to the other is permitted. In certain cases, changing them crosswise/ diagonally can also be advantageous. This does not apply to directional tyres. It is also advisable to have the alignment checked at 10,000 km intervals.
Harsh acceleration, braking with locked wheels and fast steering movements shorten the service life of tyres.
TYRE REPAIR
Tread damage or cuts that extend to the breaker, belt or beyond must be repaired by the hot vulcanization process. Repairs using cold temporary repair measures are used as emergency means to take you home and should be rectified immediately without any delay.
Proper care and use will extend the life of tyres and reduce the incidence of accidents due to tyre damage or “blowout”, so drivers are urged to monitor and properly use their tyres to ensure safety on the road. For further information, kindly contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or 219-0069.
