The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has beeb actively inspecting the fitness of vehicle tyres every year juts before the onset of the summer season.
The campaign, launched every year, aims to reduce accidents associated with worn-out tyres, as part of efforts to enhance road safety. Tyre blowouts are a major cause of road accidents in the UAE, particularly during the summer months.
As part of the campaign, QCC inspectors check the roadworthiness of new and re-treaded tyres traded in Abu Dhabi, and inspect their compliance with safety requirements and relevant technical standards.
“The tyre inspection campaign articulates QCC’s priority to prevent accidents caused by flawed and substandard tyres that are prone to bursting at high temperatures,” commented Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, marketing and communications director at the QCC.
“In following such stringent norms, QCC aims to ensure that the highest safety measures are followed in the storage and handling of tyres traded in Abu Dhabi markets.”
Every year, police urge motorists to be cautious particularly during the hot summer months as excessive heat on the asphalt can cause tyres to burst.
Tyre Safety Tips
Although often neglected by fleet operators, tyres are a significant contributor to the costs of running vehicles. “In the Middle East, the second largest investment for fleet owners is the tyres,” says Ahmad, of Bagader Trading, one of the leading tyre dealers in Dubai.
Proper care and maintenance can also be the difference between life and death on the road. With that in mind, fleet owners would do well to consider the following tips to keep tyres in top shape:
1. Checking tyre pressure Checking inflation pressure every fortnight and ensuring tyres are properly inflated can improve their life by 30% and save 5-7% on fuel costs. For tyres fitted in pairs on either end of the axle, use an extension valve to monitor inner tyre pressure.
2. Safe driving Reckless driving is rough on tyres. Going fast over potholes on the road or climbing on pavements can damage the sidewall or casing. To address this, fleet owners can consider investing in telematics solutions to monitor driver behaviour and ensure more safety.
3. Avoid overloading Overloading is a common problem in the region and takes its toll on tyres. Every truck, every bus, every van has a specified load that you can take. You should buy a tyre according to the load index that is specified by the vehicle manufacturer, or according to your application of use.
4. Wheel rotations Carrying out regular wheel alignments, balancing at rotations at regular intervals is crucial. Periodic wheel rotations prolong tyre life and give you 10-15% more mileage. Rotations can be carried out among wheels of the same axle or between different axles, depending on the tyre pattern.
5. Quick repairs When commercial vehicle tyres are damaged, don’t wait too long before getting them repaired, as the steel in them can rust if exposed to the atmosphere. Once the steel rusts, it loses the adherence between the rubber and the steel so there can be a separation. We need to properly repair the tyre both from outside as well as from inside so that you plug whatever damage has been done locally.
