Motorists advised to care for vehicle tyres

The chances of a car tyre bursting during the summer months are much higher than at any other time of the year, said Major Ishaq Al Bolooshi, Head of the Vehicle Licensing Department at the Dubai Traffic Police.

Maj. Al Bolooshi advised motorists to be extra careful about their car tyres during this time because the heat affects the tyre pressure.

Tyre pressure is important at all times. It is critical to have properly inflated tyres, as this assures the best possible contact between the tyre and the road, he said.

"Because of summertime's higher temperatures, the air pressure in a warm tyre rises. This happens because air expands when it heats up," he explained, and advised motorists to keep this in mind when checking tyre pressures.

He pointed out an improperly inflated tyre can heat excessively, potentially leading to a blow-out on the road. That is why motorists should read their owner's manual to find the correct tyre pressures, and if necessary adjust pressures to compensate for the hotter operating conditions.

Accidents caused by tyres busting claimed five lives in the past year and injured 83 people in Dubai, he said.

"During the five months of this year, one person died and 18 were injured as a result of tyre blow-out. These figures show the importance of taking good care of your tyres," he pointed out.

Maj. Al Bolooshi said the officials are currently teaching motorists about their tyres and how to take care of them when they come to renew their vehicle's licences.

"During the past eight months we have been informing the public on the importance of the production dates of tryes and that they should not exceed their validity," he said.

He also had some advice on how to get more mileage out of tyres and, at the same time, increase driving safety.

"The first thing to check is the pressure. Make sure you check pressure regularly, at least once a month and before every long trip, including the spare, and keep it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer," he said.

Other dos and don'ts he suggested were: when you check the air pressure, make sure the tyres are cool - meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. It is normal for tyres to heat up and the air pressure inside to go up as you drive.