Ph 07-32-858-100

Ph 07-32-858-100
Brought to you by Dog Tyred in the interest of safer driving for you and your family.
Dog Tyred is located in Kallangur at 1249 Anzac Ave, near the Water Tower.
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Contents...
1. Safer Motoring with Dog Tyred
Why should I look after my tyres?
2. Tyre Regulations
What regulations should I be aware of when replacing my tyres?
Why is the tyre manufacturer’s tyre recommendation important?
Correct Speed rating = Performance and safety
3. Tyre Selection and Replacement
What should I look for when buying a tyre?
Why do I need a minimum tread depth of 1.6mmm?
My annual mileage is very low, so will I ever have to replace my tyres?
4. Inflation Pressure
What is the correct pressure for my tyres?
Does it matter if my tyres are under-inflated or over-inflated?
How often should I check the pressure of my tyres?
What is the purpose of a tyre valve and cap? How long will tyre pressure last?
5. Tyre Maintenance...
How can I make my tyres last longer?
How often should I inspect my tyres?
Why are my tyres wearing only on one edge?
6. A Safety Warning
7. Dog Tyred in Kallangur
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1. Safer Motoring with Dog Tyred
Tyres aren’t just those round black things that hold up the corners of your car. Tyres are a critical
investment in the safety of yourself,, your family, your vehicle and your fellow road users.
This guide will help show you how to obtain maximum mileage and trouble free service from your
tyres.
It contains compiled advice from PIRELLI tyres and other experts from around the world and explains
the importance
ance of tyre selection, care and maintenance for your safer motoring.
Why should I look after my tyres?
However good a driver you are and whatever car you drive, your tyres are vital to your safety.
Why? - Because tyres are probably the most important co
component of any vehicle - they’re the only
part of the car actually in contact with the road surface.
“Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on the relatively small areas of
contact between your tyres and the road.”
It is of paramount importance that your tyres should be maintained in good condition at all times
and when the time comes to change them
them, that the correct replacements are fitted.
If your tyres lose their grip, the consequences can be catastrophic. So why take the ris
risk?
To ensure your tyres are always in good condition have them checked every few month
monthss by your
local Dog Tyred tyre maintenance team in Kallangur
Kallangur.
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2. Tyre Regulations
What regulations should I be aware of when replacing my tyres?
If your car was first registered and sold on or after 1st January 1973, Australian design rule No 24
specifies requirements for tyres and rims appropriate to your vehicles load capacity, rim size and
speed characteristics.
The specification for your vehicle is nominated on
n a sticker fixed to the glove compartment door,
inside the driver’s door sill or other accessible location.
When replacing tyres on your car it is recommended that the new tyres at least meet the minimum
specifications set by the maker of your car.
When you
ou do replace tyres, care should be taken to ensure that the tyres load carrying capacity and
speed ratings are at least equal to those shown on the sticker.
Care should also be taken to ensure that you comply with local road and vehicle legislations.
legislations
Dog Tyred
yred can help you in most cases with specific recommendations for your vehicle.
Why is the tyre manufacturer’s tyre recommendation important?
The size of a tyre fitted to your vehicle, as original equipment, was selected by the vehicle
manufacturer
nufacturer to take into account all aspects of the vehicle’s operation. Changes in tyre size,
structure and load and speed rating should not be made without first checking your local Dog Tyred
T
specialist, as the effect on safety, vehicle behaviour and body clearance must be considered.
Correct Speed rating = Performance and safety
The speed rating of a tyre is shown as a letter within the size designation on the side of the tyre and
on the vehicle manufacturer sticker.
“While
While it is expressed that a maximum speed,, it is also a measure of the tyre’s capacity to react to
stresses which can occur at much lower speeds”
The use of tyres with the correct speed rating enables you to experience the dynamic qualities of
your car while providing optimum levels of safe
safety and driving satisfaction.
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Speed ratings are explained below..
Speed Symbol- eg...185/60 R14 82H
S- For cars with max speeds up to 180 km/h
T- For cars with max speeds up to 190 km/h
H- For cars with max speeds up to 210 km/h
V- For cars with max speeds up to 240 km/h
W- For cars with max speeds up to 2700 km/h
Speed Category – eg...195/55 ZR 15
ZR - For cars with max speeds OVER 240 km/h
3. Tyre Selection and Replacement
What should I look for when buying a tyre?
There are many different patterns
ns of tyres available in Australia and each pattern has performance
characteristics which may or may not match the demands of the vehicle or its driver.
Firstly, the type of driving you do and the requirements relating to mileage, comfort, stability or gri
grip
will dictate the pattern of tyre you should fit. You should ask yourself “What do I really expect from
my tyres”?
Secondly, the tyres fitted to your vehicle as original equipment have undergone rigid testing for all
aspects of performance and suitability
suitability.. So, the manufacturers recommendations on tyre size, load
and speed ratings will automatically help narrow your selection. Ask Dog Tyred
yred if in doubt.
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Why do I need a minimum tread depth of 1.6mmm?
In Australia, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. TThee more tread you have, the better the all
round vehicle performance- particularly braking capabilities in wet conditions.
Wet grip decreases considerably as tyre tread patterns wear down - put simply, when tread depth
becomes too shallow, it can’t clear thee water away between the tyre and the road. The result can be
loss of control- particularly when cornering, braking or accelerating. A bald tyre, where the tread
has all worn away, can be extremely lethal.
“Tyre tread depth should be checked regularly. IIn
n general terms, the shallower the tread, the
higher the risk of skidding on wet roads.”
If you look carefully, you will find tread wear indicators in
all tyres. They are the small raised sections
sections, in the groves
of the tread. They indicate when your tyre ttread is
wearing down and can be located by looking for the
letters “TWI” on the shoulder of the tyre.
Once the tread wear indicators are level with the tread,
your tyres have reached the legal limit and therefore should be changed. Ideally, and for increas
increased
safety, change your tyres before the tread wear indicator is showing. If in doubt, check with Dog
Tyred immediately.
My annual mileage is very low, so will I ever have to replace my tyres?
Tyres deteriorate with age and can become unstable even if they have not been used, or have only
been used occasionally. Cracking of the tread sidewall rubber, sometimes accompanied by carcass
deformation, is evidence of ageing. Old and aged tyres should be checked by your tyre expert to
ascertain their suitability forr further use.
After 5 years in use, regardless of the residual tyre tread depth or mileage run, you should consider
replacing your tyres. Take the vehicle into your local tyre shop and have a check up.
Tyres fitted to vehicles which are parked for long p
periods
eriods of time, like caravans and trailers, will tend
to age and crack more quickly than those which are used and run frequently. In such circumstances
it is important to jack the weight off the tyres and also to shield them from direct sunlight and harsh
conditions during periods of inactivity.
How long will the tyres last?
The life of your tyres depends on how well you maintain them! Mistreated, unmaintained tyres may
have a considerably reduced lifespan. The tyres will also be affected by the type of dri
driving
ving, highway
or city, and the mechanical settings of the vehicle.
A number of factors can account for the marked differences in ultimate mileage obtained by
motorists driving similar makes of cars.
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Tread wear is adversely affected by speed, particularly w
when
hen cornering. The higher the speed, the
more rapid the tread wear. Rapid tread wear is also caused by fierce acceleration and hard braking
and by mechanical irregularities, such as worn wheel bearings, unbalanced braking, incorrect tyre
pressure and incorrect
rect wheel alignment.
“In particular, bad wheel alignment will cause exceptionally rapid tread wear”
An abrasive surface consisting of coarse gravel or concrete will give a much higher rate of tread wear
than will a smooth bitumen surface. Wear will be mor
moree rapid in areas with winding roads and hilly
country.
Straight line driving on a smooth road can give a lower tread wear rate because of reduced
cornering, braking and acceleration forces on the tyre...But we all don’t live on the Nullarbor Plains
to receive this tyre benefit!
Climatic conditions also have a bearing on tread wear. On dry roads in summer, treads can wear
twice as fast as in winter! The slower tread wear in winter is influenced by the lower running
temperature and the lubricating effect of tthe water between the tyres and the road.
Vehicle characteristics also dramatically influence tyre wear
wear.
Power steering
4 wheel steering
Permanent or switch over 4 W drive,
Front wheel drive
ABS and
Traction control
All the above put additional demands on the tyre and will affect tyre wear, so take this into account
when budgeting for a new vehicle.
4. Inflation Pressure
What is the correct pressure for my tyres?
The correct pressure for your tyres can be found on the sticker fixed to your car by the
manufacturer. The pressure recommended for normal operating conditions should be considered
minimumss for suburban driving under 80km/h
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For vehicles loaded with passengers or luggage; be sure to INCREASE pressure in accordance with
the manufacturers’ recommendations.
For sustained high speed driving as in highway touring at around 100km/h, pressures should be
further increased according to the manufacturers’ recommendations on the sticker.
“Remember, the manufacturers’ recommendations are minimums which you should not drop
below”.
Each vehicle is different, so even when buying a new car, always check that you know the correct
pressures for your new car under all driving conditions, as it can differ greatly from your other
vehicle. Pressures can also be revised to suit your driving requirements...see your Dog Tyred tyre
man for help here...
Does it matter if my tyres are under-inflated or over-inflated?
Tyres have a robust construction but will only give their best if used sensibly and treated with due
care. Correct inflation pressure is of the highest importance for safe driving.
Over inflation results in an uncomfortable ride and faster wear in the centre of the tread. More
importantly, it reduces the area of tyre contact with the road, meaning less grip area.
Over inflation also renders the tyre more susceptible to impact damage and in extreme cases may
result in rim deformation or even a tyre burst with tragic consequences.
Under inflation is equally damaging- creating excessive flexing and leading to general deterioration
of the tyres. Incorrect inflation can also affect your braking capabilities and reduce the stability of
the vehicle.
Under inflation causes overheating and can greatly shorten the life of a tyre. It reduces road holding
and can cause irregular wear, internal damage to the walls of the tyre and ultimately even tyre
failure...blowouts!
Adopt and adhere to the right inflation pressure (for all axles) for your type of use; most particularly
under full loads and at high speeds.
Incorrect tyre pressure can significantly reduce tyre life, adding cost to your car maintenance. Call
into Dog Tyred and get your tyre pressures checked now and begin saving on tyre replacement, fuel
consumption and save money!
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·
·
·
·
Pressure
Tyre Life
Correct
20% Over inflated
20% under inflated
40 % underinflated
= 100%
= 80%
=80%
= 40% of tyre life expectancy
Incorrect inflation pressure
ssure also gives rise to
Rapid and uneven wear
Cracks, splits, blowouts
Impaired performance
Vehicle
ehicle instability resulting in unsure handling
Higher fuel consumption
Reduced driving comfort
How often should I check the pressure of my tyres?
Inflation pressure
essure must be checked regularly
regularly- at least once a fortnight-including
including the spare tyre.
These checks should be made only when the tyres are cold. This is because pressure rises as the
tyres warm up during use. Dog Tyred
yred recommends that you buy your own tyre pressure gauge.
Tyres are considered to be “cold” when they have not been running for at least the past hour
hour-or
have only been run at low speed
peed for not more than 2 or 3 kkms.
Never bleed (let air out of) warm tyres...
How long will tyre pressure last? Not long in hot or varying weather and driving conditions. Make it a
habit to check tyre pressure every 2 weeks at least.
What is the purpose of a tyre valve and cap?
A valve is needed to let air
ir in and out of a tyre so that tyre pressure can be kept at the rright
ight level for
safest driving comfort. The valve should be replaced every time a tyre is changed since the valve
rubber perishes with age. The valve cap is designed to se
seal the air in the tyre and also prevent dirt
getting into the valve and preventing it from working properly. Always ensure the valve cap is
screwed down tightly.
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5. Tyre Maintenance...
How can I make my tyres last longer?
The best way to get maximum performance out of a tyre is to take the necessary care as you go.
Have your vehicle checked regularly regardi
regarding suspension and front and rear wheel
alignment settings
Check tyre pressures regularly, every 2 weeks at least and always when the tyres are cold.
Make sure the loss of pressure never exceeds 30kPa (4psi)
(4psi). For any loss over thiss value it is
advisable to have your tyres examined by Dog Tyred.
Carry out a visual check of tyre wear regularly too. If one of the tyre shoulders wears out
more quickly than the others it is advisable to have your wheel alignments checked and
reset. Get the wheels rotated making sure to fit the tyres with the most tread to the
maximum safety position, the rear axle, regardless of the type of car you drive.
Rotate the tyres every 7-10,000
10,000 km
km... in order that the 4 tyres will reach the end of their life
at about the same time.
For high powered vehicles we recommend a wheel
alignment & rotation every 5000km.
Warning...Do
...Do not rotate the tyres when the vehicle uses
different sized front and rear wheels. Avoid overload,
either total or just localised areas in your car. Overload
greatly affects the tread life.
Load
Tyre Life
Correct load = 100%
120% over
= 70% of tyre life
140% over
= 50% ...so your tyres will wear out in half the time if you overload your
vehicle as shown by these figures.
What is The Benefit of using Nitrogen over Air in my Tyres?
The increasing preference for nitrogen is based on some comprehensive studies comparing the
economic and safety benefits of tyres filled with air versus pure nitrogen. One indepe
independent
ndent study
reported an increase in tyre life of up to 50% and fuel economy improvement of around 66-10%
depending on the vehicle type and weight.
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How is Nitrogen better than air? The science is based on molecule size. Nitrogen is a bigger
molecule than oxygen and as such is less able to permeate through the polymer bands that make up
a car tyre. So although 79% of air is nitrogen already, it is the oxygen that causes most of the
pressure loss (around 2psi per month average).
Filling and maintaining your tyres with pure nitrogen gas means that tyre pressure is much more
consistent and conducive to fuel economy. The absence of oxygen also means tyres run cooler and
are 25% less likely to fail, even under extreme conditions, which explains why nitrogen has always
been used in race cars and all aircraft tyres. These proven benefits have driven the trend to nitrogen
use in passenger vehicles.
One US Company that has been at the forefront of this trend is NitroFill Inc and they have recently
commenced sales of their nitrogen tyre inflation products and programs in Australia and New
Zealand with a range of nitrogen generating machinery and has developed a unique tyre inflation
maintenance program designed to increase customer satisfaction and cost savings.
Dog Tyred is able to offer their customers a Nitrofill conversion during their vehicle service where
the customer receives all 4 tyres purged and filled with pure nitrogen. They also receive monthly
newsletters with informative articles based on economic and safe motoring news as well as a free
membership in the "NitroFill Autoclub" which includes 12 months full benefit roadside assistance
cover.
Dog Tyred’s NitroFill Tyre program is a proven system that will provide our customers with
improved vehicle handling and safety, better fuel economy, longer tyre life and would you believe it
– reduced road noise! Some of our customers come straight back in and tell us they can
immediately notice the difference using nitrogen in their tyres...including the writer of this booklet!
NEWSFLASH - NZ Police choose Nitrogen Tyre Inflation
In November 2010 the NZ Police in conjunction with Bridgestone/Firestone began trialling Nitrogen
tyre inflation in some of their vehicles. By June of 2011 the data had proven compelling enough for
Custom Fleet Ltd (the contracted fleet managers of all NZ Police Vehicles) to make the decision to
convert the entire fleet of 3,200 Police vehicles to nitrogen.
The study concluded that NZ Police would achieve annual savings of $750,000 from the fuel savings
alone, in petrol vehicles and increased tyre life that Nitrogen inflation provides.
How often should I inspect my tyres?
Take a look at your tyres every 2 weeks or so. If there are stones embedded in the treads, remove
them carefully to avoid damage. Check tyre tread depth to ensure your tyres are within legal limits.
Finally, examine the side walls to see if there are any bulges or cuts. Ask your tyre specialist to
examine the tyres; otherwise you may be breaking the law or worse still, risking an accident or
serious injury.
Sudden and extreme shock loadings on a relatively small area of a tyre caused by driving over kerbs,
hitting pot-holes or other sharp objects on the road, even at low speeds, can result in weakening or
fracturing the inner casing structure of the tyre. However the resilient sidewall rubber may not show
any evidence of bruising, therefore if such damage is suspected the tyre should be removed for a
thorough inspection by your local tyre expert.
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Damage from accidental cuts or penetrations
etrations will extend whilst the tyre is in use, due to continued
flexing and/or the entry of moisture and road grit. Check damaged tyres immediately. Neglect and
continued use can lead to sudden deflation...a flat, when you least desire it!
Why are my tyres wearing only on one edge?
Often this indicates poor mechanical adjustment or bad wheel alignment. The vehicle’s steering and
or suspension should be examined immediately by your local tyre specialist, Dog Tyred. Irregular
Irr
wear can be caused byy a mechanical irregularity of the vehicle such as worn bearings, shock
absorbers, steering joints or badly adjusted brakes.
One of the worst causes of this type of problem are the speed bumps in most housing complexes...a
cars worst enemy, causing damage over time to all the above mentioned mechanical problems on a
car. Driving around roundabouts can also cause premature edge wear on tyres, so be careful. If you
live in such a complex with speed bumps or drive around roundabouts, mention this to your Dog
Tyred
yred tyre expert and have your vehicle checked regularly for any unusual tyre conditions.
Misalignment Wear... a rasped and feathered tread condition is caused by bad wheel alignment and
results in very rapid tread wear. This can affect both front and rea
rear tyres. Get the wheels balanced
every time you replace your tyres. Unbalanced wheels can create an uncomfortable wobble in the
steering and is detrimental to the vehicle performance and handling.
This can cause uneven tyre wear and vibration problems, w
which
hich can lead to other serious mechanical
problems.
Bad wheel alignment and unbalanced wheels
can also lead to a costly array of mechanical
problems, so get your wheels checked for
balance and alignment at least once a year or
every 10,000 kms or whenever there are
vibrations or uneven wear.
6. Safety Checks
Safe motoring hints will
ill be covered in another separate flyer, but this one safety check is of
paramount importance before we close out this Tyre Safety Booklet.
Read the notes in this picture below...it
...it ssays it all.
How would you feel, if this was your child in someone’s wheel space or if a
child had crawled into your car wheel space like this toddler did?
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Dog Tyred is in Kallangur at 1249 Anzac Ave, near the Water Tower.
Ph 07-32-858-100 www.dogtyred.com.au
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DogTyred.WheelsTyres
Thank-you for downloading our free Tyre Safety Booklet.
Watch for the next in this 2 part series...Safer Motoring...
Produced in 2013...
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