By Theodore Opara
A TYRE expert with Infinity Tyres Limited, Mr. Rajendra Vishwakarma, has cautioned motorists to avoid over-inflating or under-inflating their tyres as it impedes smooth driving and compromises auto safety.

Viswakarma who stated this at the 2018 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, NAJA training workshop held at Golden Tulip Hotel, along Airport Road, Lagos, affirmed that an over-inflated tyre loses grip of the road from the sides of the tyre, while an under-inflated tyre loses grip of the road from the middle.

He listed the effect of incorrect pressure to include premature failure of tyre, uneven wear, vehicle stand-still on roads, hard steering, more fuel consumption, less grip of the tyres on the road leading to increased braking distance, as well as financial losses.

The tyre expert also stressed the important roles played by air in the tyre to include carrying of the load of the entire vehicle, ensuring wear pattern of the tyre and elongating the life of the tyre.

Motorists were also advised to check inflation pressure of their tyres at regular intervals, saying “it is advisable to check inflation pressure on every tyre every trip or 2000 kilometers due to adverse road conditions”.

On precaution while inflating, he said motorists should “allow tyre to cool down for at least 15-20 minutes before checking and inflating, ensure that pressure gauge used for checking are in good condition, check any possible leakage from valve or bead area, and always close the valve with valve cap after inflating”.