VIDEO: The danger of tyres that have low tread depth

We’re often reminded to check the condition of our tyres on a regular basis, and this video from TyreSafe is a good reason as any to heed the advice. The 360-degree-experience video shows us the shocking difference in braking distance between tyres which have a full tread, compared to those just below the legal limit (1.6 mm applicable here in Malaysia as well) in wet conditions.

With a pair of identical Toyotas, the tyres on each were pumped to the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure, before they set off. Accelerating up to identical speeds, the drivers in both cars then applied the brakes, and viewers can see for themselves just how much further the car with the worn tyres travelled – a full 14 meters – smashing into an obstacle along the way due to aquaplaning.

While this may be only a demonstration in a controlled environment, out there in the real world, the obstacle could be another car, a truck, a bus, a pedestrian, or even a cyclist. So, don’t take a chance with your life and the lives of others, check your tyres often (most come with an easily-located tread depth indicator).

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Anything But P1, Greedy P2 on Oct 20, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    Try and telling that to bus, lorries and taxi companies!
    As usual jpj polis trafik tidur makan kuih minum duit kopi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 29
    • Everything want to blame the authorities. It is not their job to check your tyres. It’s your car, your job. Even it is under their responsibility to enforce, but it is for your on safety sake dude. Actually as a driver you don’t need them to enforce safety on you.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
      • old horse on Oct 22, 2016 at 3:44 pm

        try to drive a car with single head light in USA and see police will stop you or not..
        what it mean by legal, means law dude.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • dontsiaosiao on Oct 20, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    why airbags didn’t deploy one

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 22
    • Leonardo on Oct 21, 2016 at 8:54 am

      In the demo above, a light foam block was used, hence it did not trigger the sensors, as it is deemed to cause no damage or injuries.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Henry on Oct 20, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    I usually replace my tyres when it is 3/4 worn. Jangan main main.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
    • Mikey on Oct 21, 2016 at 8:21 am

      You are a smart man Henry. Your/our life is worth more than the 1/4. Sad to say, i still see some people driving with Botak tires. Maybe its due to economic situation that they HAVE to squeeze every Shringgit out of the tires at their own/family expenses.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
      • Sad to say some of them have money to get big rims first. Something wrong with their priority.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • Bernard on Oct 20, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    It’s not that people don’t know this but tyres here are too expensive !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • The sad thing is … Rubber comes from Malaysia, went to Japan or Italy to tyre factories and sold back to Malaysians.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
      • Mikey on Oct 24, 2016 at 10:15 am

        FYI, Thailand & Indonesia have already surpass M’sia in rubber production looong time ago as the No 1/2. We only account for less than 9% of total production.

        Natural rubber consist of only 14% in producing a tire. What is more interesting is that synthetic rubber & Carbon are higher(more than 50%) in term of % for making tire.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Recently I did a little stroll around the car park of my condo…and really half of the cars parked there have little to no thread left on their tyres. Cars that I saw includes cheap Myvi’s, as well as BMW’s and Camry’s. Some of these I know the owner has a driver who could easily pop by the workshop for a new set of tyres. Many of you moan and whine about VSC/ESC, but with bald tyres, VSC ain’t gonna rescue you.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • wayang on Oct 20, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    Try telling that to the average Malaysian car drivers.
    They tell you its because no ABS, no EBD, no VSC, no 6 airbags, car low spec, the place got pennungu or hantu.

    Asked to pay better for tyres they tell you all tyres are the same la, black color made from rubber, only brand name different
    And the more expensive one because manufacturer more greedy so sell more expensive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
    • Yup, just ask Albert. He’ll tell u tayar shud only cost Rm1 becoz rubber comes from MY, so why so expensive.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Should compare with the same model of car. Brake and stopping power are different though.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
    • it,s the same toyota…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Leonardo on Oct 21, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Obviously you did not see the whole video or did not understand fully. In the introduction of the video the host explained that it is the same type of car, with the same tyre pressure. The difference is just the tyre depths – one new, and one with the minimal legal depth of 1.6mm. See the stopping difference.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • passion on Oct 21, 2016 at 9:24 am

    its michelin all the way. the best!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Ben Yap on Oct 21, 2016 at 11:28 am

    driver should stretch their legs out to stop the car just like what Fred Flintstone did. surely, it will stop the car dead in its tracks.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • LOW JUN KIT on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    Demonstration with a manual car….how grateful….love it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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