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----- Original Message -----
From: "roger crabtree" <rcrabshish@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 1:18 AM
Subject: Re: IML: age issues, not
mileage > My 2 cents on this subject is rather scary. Some are > saying that 4 years is along time on a car, no matter > what the mileage. The question is how long have these > tires sat in the factory? During the time I have been reading the post's re tyres and
the longevity of them etc etc, I have not read much re safety issues
directly. I would hope that the basis of the discussion has evolved
from a safety angle i.e.; how long do we keep our tyres before they become a
safety issue. Well I hope that this is the root thought and it's not a monetary
reason.
In my profession there are many times when I will have to
drive at very high speeds in a variety of traffic conditions. As we all know the
higher the speed then the more pressure is placed on the tyre. When cornering,
braking etc the likelihood of a tyre failure rockets upward. We use the latest
vehicles which are replaced approximately every six months. When we receive them
new they are fitted with a "Police Pak" which includes the very best tyres
filled with nitrogen. Apparently there is minimal leakage with the nitrogen and
it gives a smoother ride.
When I am working I don't have to worry about wether the tyre
will hold up as I take a sharp corner at speed or bake heavily etc etc, but I do
see the consequences of people not having decent tyres on their vehicles. Road
carnage is a terrible sight to come across. The human body is remarkable in the
way it can take punishment, however it does have limits. Having said that I have
seen people die as a result of crashing at 30k's and people survive at 200k's.
Unfortunately I have attended many deaths as a result of road accidents and here
is the scary part, many of those people would be alive today had they had decent
tyres on their vehicles. I have seen every conceivable condition of tyre from
totally bald with the wires protruding from them to "as new" looking but with a
baldish spot in one area due to a previous high speed skid. I have seen what
looked like new tyres however on closer examination I saw cracks along the walls
which have caused a blow out.
I just want to share with you all what I do with my own
vehicles. I buy very good quality tyres every 2 years - yes 2 years. I inspect
them weekly and make sure that they contain the correct air pressure. Regardless
of how they "look" after 2 years they are changed - and I wont go near a
retread. Some may say "that is too soon - don't waste your money". To that
I say this. There is literally only a few square inches keeping us on the road,
carrying the weight of the vehicle, turning corners, braking, accelerating
not to mention steering - only a few square inches. In my veh I have my 6 year
old girl my 8 year old girl and my beautiful wife not to mention other peoples
children sometimes. We are not going to be laying in a wreck when some Cop says
"They might have had a chance if only the tyres were sound".
I might spend $600 every 2 years $300 per year $6 per week 56
cents per day to ensure that my family will never have to worry about whether
the tyres will give way. What price for the safety of our loved ones - 56 cents
per day. Less than the cost of a can of Coke.
Stay Safe
Larry Blomberg
(1960 LeBaron Sedan) |
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