Tires of vital importance

SARIN KUNTHONG / Shutterstock.com

Recently, a large truck with a trailer stopped at a company. An imposing colossus, but what struck me were the front tires. These were bare almost to the canvas! The trailer seemed fine at first glance.

I wondered if tires were still retreaded in Thailand, so provided with a new tread. Along the way you often see thin pieces of tire.

The pick-ups are often equipped with all-terrain tires due to the many unpaved roads and construction work. Not a problem in itself. These often arise when such a car drives unloaded hard on a paved road. Above eighty kilometers per hour. The car gets less and less grip on the road and at some point can "break out" from behind and get upset). Due to an uncontrolled reaction or steering movement, the car slips and crashes. It is wise to load the pick-ups from behind, so that more grip remains on the road.

An unnoticed problem that also occurs with tires is that the tires harden after a number of years due to the high outside temperatures. The profile looks fantastic, but the rubber has hardened to such an extent that there is little grip on the road. Hairline cracks appear along the rim edge. It looks like a piece of plastic that people drive on. After about 5 years it is wise to have it checked. It does depend on how the car is parked, in some condos covered, carports or along the road.

An unpleasant thought that a number of drivers drive around like this, but maintenance and taking into account different situations are not the strengths of the Thai driver.