How long should vehicle tyres last? – Newstrends
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How long should vehicle tyres last?

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3 years ago

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A new test by Consumer Report has shown that family-car tyres can last at least 70,000 miles or 112,654 kilometres.

Ultra-high-performance tyres are generally found to wear quicker. In fact, some tested UHP tyres indicate they will last to just 25,000 to 30,000 miles or 40,233 to 48,280km. To make matters worse, most summer tyres don’t even carry warranties.

There is no definitive answer as to how long a vehicle’s tyres should last, but it is recommended that people should always replace the tyres once they are 10 years old, depending on the terrain.

Indeed, the advice for how many kilometres your tyres last varies widely from 10,000 to 50,000 kilometres.

The lifespan of your tyres will vary depending on a number of factors, according to a report by carnextdoor.com.

It lists the factors as your driving habits (highway vs stop-start city driving); the climate; the design of the tyre road condition; how well you maintain your tyres.

Even if your tyres look like they’re in good condition, it’s recommended you replace them after ten years from their manufacture date. This includes spare tyres. Even if you think your tyres could last a little longer, it’s better to be safe than being sorry.

Get your tyres checked every year after five years

Regardless of how far you drive, once your tyres are five years old you should get them checked yearly. After five years a tyre will begin to deteriorate, as it dries out and the rubber loses its suppleness.

This happens whether you drive a lot or very little, and also affects your spare tyre. Your mechanic should check your tyres as part of your regular service, or you can get them checked at a tyre shop. Many tyre shop offer a free tyre health check.

Eight easy ways to increase your tyre’s lifespan

There are some easy ways to check your tyre’s condition, as well as some simple steps to lengthen their lifespan so you can save money on tyre replacements.

  • Always check your tyre tread

What is tyre tread and why does it matter?

Tyre tread is the rubber on the tyre that makes contact with the road or ground. The grooves on your tyres is the tread pattern.

The tyre tread is the raised section that touches the ground when you drive.

As a tyre ages and wears down, the tread is worn off. This reduces its effectiveness and safety. The grooves in the tread are specially designed to keep you safe in a range of driving conditions. In fact, there are a variety of different tread patterns for this reason: some patterns are optimised for driving on snow, or to reduce noise or increase grip.

The grooves in tyres also allow water to be expelled to prevent hydroplaning. If the depth of the grooves wear down too far, your tyres can’t expel all the water they encounter. This creates a thin barrier of water between the tyre and the ground, causing the car to skid across the wet road.

How to check your tyre tread

Check your car tyre tread with a coin

An easy way to check your tread pattern is to put a coin into the groove to see how deep it is. If you stick a coin in and the tread isn’t touching the platypus’ bill, it’s too shallow.

You can also check by running your hand over the tread and making sure you can feel all the grooves. If you aren’t sure, take your car to a tyre shop for a checkup.

Look for a tread wear indicator on your tyre, usually marked by a triangle on the sidewall of the tyre.

Inside one of the grooves in line with that triangle, you will see or feel a raised section which indicates the minimum depth of the tread. If the rest of the tyre is level with this raised section, your tyre is due for replacement.

  • Keep your tyres of out the sun

Park your car away from direct sunlight. This will minimise the damaging effects of UV rays on the rubber. If you don’t have an indoor parking spot, try to park in a shady area.

  • Swap your tyres around

Check that each tyre is wearing at a similar rate. To keep your tyres wearing evenly, rotate them regularly – including the spare if it’s a full sized tyre – so that the front tyres are placed on the rear of the car and vice versa. You should do this every service or every 10,000 kilometres. Your front tyres will wear more quickly because of the position of the steering, so it’s important to rotate them regularly to spread the wear evenly.

  • Get your wheels aligned

Your wheel alignment will affect how long your tyres should last, and the way your car handles. Your mechanic should do this as part of your regular service, but if you’re concerned that your wheel alignment is off, take it in to the mechanic or tyre shop for a check and re-alignment.

  • Don’t be a stuntman

This should be obvious, but drive carefully. Don’t be aggressive cornering, burnouts and hard braking will all wear your tyres down quickly (not to mention the safety concerns).

  • Watch your speed!

Aside from the safety and legal issues, higher heat generated from high speeds wears tyres prematurely.

  • Keep your car clean

The heavier your car, the more pressure you are putting on your tyres, so don’t overload it by driving around with a boot full of junk. Make sure to remove any heavy items you don’t need in your car.

  • Keep your tyres inflated to the correct PSI

It’s easy to find your tyre’s correct correct operating pressure, usually measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Check inside the driver’s door: there should be a placard there that will show the front and rear tyre pressure recommendations. Depending on the car, these may be different. If the placard isn’t in the driver’s side door frame, look inside the fuel door, the glove box or your car’s manual.

Check your tyre’s current pressure by heading to a petrol station with a tyre inflation service. Many of them offer it for free. Attach the hose to the valve on each of your rims and the machine will do the rest of the work. Depending on the machine, you can either set the PSI you want, or manually fill it. Aim to check your car’s tyre pressure monthly.

 

 

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CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

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4 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) on Wednesday announced that the CNG conversion centres in the country are now 170.

It was upbeat that the 170 CNG conversion centres in Nigeria would increase to 200 at the end of December 2024.

The centres hit 170 with the commissioning of Portland Gas Conversion centres in Kado, Abuja.

Speaking with reporters, the PCNGI Chief Executive, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the P-CNGI which has doubled its target for 2024, is hopeful of hitting 500 conversion centres next year.

His words: “Before the end of this year, I promise in the next two weeks, we will get to 200. We are already looking for and certifying at least an additional 35 to 40 on our record.

“I believe we will get to 40 at the end of this year. And that is double our target.  You remember this time last year, I told you our target was 100 and now 200.

“Next year, we have set a target of 500 for us and I believe we will blow.”

He recalled that from the seven conversion centres of 2023, there are now 170 centres in Nigeria.

According to him, all the conversion centres are owned by private-sector investors.

“We went from seven conventional centres, that with these now, I easily would say we are around 170.

“So today, from seven to 170, there is not a single one of those that were built by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.

He urged Portland Gas Limited to increase its working hours from 24 to the present 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Portland Gas Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Folajimi Mohammed said the workshop which opens 12 hours daily, can convert a car within one hour.

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He said it is a full state-of-the-art centre, comprising the mechanical, electrical, calibration, and of course which cannot be done without gas.

He said: “So what we do here is a Turkey solution, where from the conversion part of it, you can make sure that when you leave here within an hour, thereabouts, you are able to make sure that you have a fully converted CNG car.

“And when I mean fully converted CNG car, I mean, it is still a hybrid. You can have the option to switch from petrol to gas where you want to.”

According to him, the tanks that are presently installed in the vehicles are durable for 20 years.

He said since the infrastructure is limited in the country, it is advisable to convert the vehicles in a manner they can use other fuels in addition to CNG.

Mohammed said, “We know the gas infrastructure is just about to improve. “Well, for now, what we have, the limited availability of the infrastructure, by making sure that you don’t do 100% conversion. I can always switch to petrol in the event of any emergencies.”

He said being methane, the gas is very safe as it is lighter than air.

Besides, Oluwagbemi said a free interstate transportation will be provided in the Federal Capital Territory between during the Yuletide.

According to him, six buses will be added to the fleet.

He said, “You know in Abuja today we have 16 buses running Gwagwalada to Keffi and Nyanya as well as in Nigeria that project is already ongoing and it will be expanded to interstate this week.

“We are going to put additional six buses to run interstate here in Abuja and neighbouring cities. We are just providing free transportation programme during the yuletide period.”

Speaking, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu recalled that the CNG journey started a long time ago.

He added that the CNG of Portland is a first of its kind in terms of partnership and private sector.

He said in the partnership, the government provides the policy, infrastructure, and intellectual property.

“While you have government investing with policy, some of the infrastructure and intellectual property,” he said.

CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

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Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards

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7 days ago

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December 16, 2024

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Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards

 

Globe Motors, Coscharis Motors, Toyota Nigeria, CFAO, Weststar Associates and Lanre Shittu (LSM) are among big winners at the 2024 NAJA (Nigerian Automotive Journalists Association) Auto Awards.

The prestigious event, which held on Wednesday December 11 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recognized various categories within the industry, ranging from vehicle innovation to service excellence.

As earlier announced Mikano Motors’ Changan CS55 beat Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio to win the coveted 2024 car-of-the-year prize.

Globe Motors emerged as the Most Resilient Company of the Year, while Coscharis Motors bagged the Multi-Luxury Brand of the Year along with the luxury SUV of the year with Range Rover Autobiography. Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and MD/CEO of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) were honoured as Auto Company of the Decade and Auto Personality of the Year respectively.

Also, CFAO won the Outstanding After-Sale Service, Product Launches of the Year with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Suzuki Vitara, and the Most Enterprising Auto Company, while Chief Chidi Anyaegbu MFR (Founder, Chisco Motors) was recognized as the Transport icon of the Year; Mrs. Karima Okunola of Mikano Motors bagged the Auto Marketing Manager of the Year.

The companies were lauded for their commitment to providing quality vehicles and top-notch aftersales services, which have contributed to their solid reputation in the Nigerian auto market over the years.

Other notable winners included Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, which was celebrated for its pioneering role in local vehicle production; Nord took home CNG-powered mini bus brand, and A9 launch recognition.

Weststar’s Mercedes-Benz was declared luxury brand of the year and the S-Class won luxury car of the year.

Carloha with its handling of Chery was adjudged the most innovative company of the year, just as the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro launch received a recognition.

While Dangote Sinotruk won the heavy duty truck manufacturer of the year, Lanre Shittu’s JAC was again awarded the heavy duty truck of the year. Taiwo Shittu, MD of the LSM emerged Auto Personality of the Year. His later father and founder of the company received a posthumous award.

RT Briscoe bagged the workshop of the year award; Dana Motors’ Kia Sonet won the best compact SUV prize, and the mini bus assembler of the year went to Jet System.

In his speech, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “This year’s NAJA Auto Awards highlights not just the achievements of the big names in the industry, but also the rising stars who are shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive landscape.”

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Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head

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7 days ago

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December 16, 2024

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Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head

 

 

Nigeria’s automotive industry is in limbo due to prolonged delay in enacting the required law to give investors the right direction.

Head of the Auto Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Kunle Jaiyesinmi, stated this, noting that the industry was being allowed to stagnate, making it difficult to galvanise the overall development of the Nigerian economy

Jaiyesinmi who is Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors, spoke in Lagos on the sidelines of the 2024 Nigeria Auto Industry Awards organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

He said, “For now, we are in limbo. We don’t know what is happening to the (auto industry) policy; whether it’s with the Executive or it has gone to the National Assembly. We don’t have information on the stage that the policy is. I think NADDC is coming up with a stakeholders’ meeting maybe they would give us a very detailed information on the policy.”

In his assessment of the performance of the business this year, he lamented that the macroeconomic challenges including the high exchange rates and inflation were adversely affecting vehicle salesmmm

He said, “2024 has provided a topsy-turvy ride looking at the state of the economy. The purchasing power has been so much eroded (due to) the depreciation of the naira (the exchange rate).

“Prices have risen to a level that most private consumers cannot really afford it (new car). You notice that the major corporates are really suffering. You can imagine how much they lost in terms of exchange rate.

“So that has really impacted the procurement of new vehicles… We have more of automobile maintenance service rather than new sales.

“If you look at the market figure, it has so much reduced compared to what we had been having when the exchange rate was around N450, N480. So it’s not been a very good year for automobile business.

Jaiyesinmi also spoke on the high interest, which is over 33%; as well the recently announced government-back N20 billion auto finance.

He said, “Automobile loan is a no-go area for consumers. It’s a bit tough now. Reliance is on government now and it’s not everybody that can do government business.

“We are just looking at 2025 to be a better year going by the appreciation of the naira in recent times. We are just praying that it can be sustained. If we are able to get that into the new year maybe vehicle prices would reduce and based on the government providing very good enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

Speaking on the N20bn auto finance scheme by the credit corporation (CreditCorp), he said, “The N20bn scheme is even belated because when the Auto Policy started about 10 years ago, the 35 per cent tariff being charged on fully built vehicles, the understanding we had then was that part of it would go to the auto financing and the other part would go to automobile assemblers’ facility.

“In 10 years, nothing happened and we know how much has been collected by the Federal Government from that levy.

“So N20bn is a paltry amount and the scheme is coming up a bit late. Looking at the local assembling, how many assemblers are we really having in Nigeria? Those of us that started eight, nine years ago, almost all of us have really closed shop.”

He however expressed optimism that the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, would turn things around.

“I believe she should be able to drive this policy. She should try as much as possible to run away from the era of deceit. She should face reality and I believe as a realist, her tenure would portend a good tiding for the automobile business,” he said.

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