Retreaded tyres and tyres imported from China comprise 80% of the commercial vehicle tyre market due to their affordability, Bernama reports.
Although the price difference can exceed RM500 a tyre, saving operators up to 60% on replacement costs, concerns have surfaced regarding their safety and suitability for Malaysia’s weather conditions, especially after the tragic December 23 Ayer Keroh crash.
A comprehensive study is urgently needed on lorry and trailer tyres currently on sale to ensure their quality and prevent tyre-related accidents, Malaysia Tipper Lorry Operators Association chairman Datuk Michael Loo Leep Chye told the news agency.
“These budget tyres remain popular because they help operators cut operational costs. However, we need thorough research and monitoring to ensure they meet safety standards,” said Loo.
Tyres are the second-most common issue, after brake problems, causing around 8% of heavy vehicle inspection failures at Puspakom each year. This is based on an annual average of 2.8 million inspections.
Bernama reports that a survey of workshops providing heavy vehicle tyre replacement services revealed that 215/75 R17.5 tyres – a size commonly used by trailers – cost RM1,000 (Michelin), RM700 (Bridgestone), RM480-600 (Chinese brands) and RM350 retreaded.
Loo revealed that many operators use high-quality tyres in front and Chinese or retreaded tyres at the back, depending on financial considerations.
“This configuration is common because retreaded tyres also meet quality certifications. However, continuous monitoring is critical, especially for low-cost imports,” he said.
Malaysian Retreaded Tyre Manufacturers Association (TRMAM) president Wong Jin How put up a case for retreaded tyres, saying that local manufacturers must comply with strict government standards to ensure road safety.
“All retreaded tyres must meet MS 224:2019 standards, ensuring safety on par with new tyres. Despite being sold for RM400-600 each, compared to RM600-2,000 for new tyres, they are reliable and safe,” said Wong, adding that a technical committee comprising the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Malaysian Rubber Board, Puspakom and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) oversees and advises on retreaded tyre production.
Local manufacturers also adhere to ECE R108/R109 standards, allowing them to export tyres to European markets. The global transportation industry widely uses retreaded tyres, Wong said.
Also, local manufacturers offer a tyre replacement policy for any defects arising from manufacturing. Wong said most tyre-related heavy vehicle accidents stem from poor maintenance rather than tyre quality.
“In the recent Ayer Keroh accident, a front tyre was detached. Under JPJ regulations, front tyres must be new, not retreaded. Many discarded tyres on roads are a result of burst or exploded tyres due to lack of maintenance,” he said.
For logistics company owner Tan Boon Heng, 55, retreaded tyres are his preferred choice as his operations, which involve transporting sand and stones, frequently use off-road routes, adding that this makes regular maintenance of his trailer lorry tyres essential.
“For trailers running daily with maximum loads, retreaded tyres need to be replaced every three to six months, while higher-quality tyres last six months to a year. With each trailer using 10 tyres, the maintenance cost is substantial,” said Tan.
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China tyres have suitability issues in Malaysia’s weather condition however which other brands are not originated from 4 season home countries?
Guess if it is manufactured in our region then all is well>
I can guarantee you that the retreaded tyres sold are not in compliance. Many people don’t meet the standard as they know how to make money. Jpj should check all these lorry tyre dealers and see whether these retreaded tyre sold are met. Don’t just talk, just do. These operators wants to make their margin higher, but never think of the risk to the public. Got case, company shut down, then register a new company. Settle.
You are right. it is time JPJ makes a spot check at local tyre shop for quality of rethreaded tyre if it meet MS standard. Can the tyre shop show evidence of where these rethreaded tyre source.
TRMAM should encourage it’s member to label rethreaded tyre with specification.
Perhaps it is time MIROS establish specification for load capacity of rethreaded tyre based on it’s geometry.
Do tyre outline size defines the load carrying capacity? is there a reference for this which JPJ and workshop can reference to determine if type of tyre used and specified BDM of the truck is compatible.
Or at least truck maker must specify on it’s chasis type and size of tyre apply.
When the wheels flew off… Was that the steel wheel problem or the rubber tyre problem ?
Bolt and Lugs kaput
Last time, I experienced new tyre wheel flew off due to nut overtightened.
chinese tyre … aiya expected la… chinese tyre chinese car… just wait for it to happen…
Die orang mana kesah pasal pengguna, sayang duit je… virus sars, covid, hmpv, pon tajaan die orang gak
First of all, is it a tire problem or the rim/wheel? For it to come-off, in my opinion is due to the failure/damage of the wheel structure, bearing or the fasteners (stud and nuts), correct? So what if during periodic PUSPAKOM inspection, these 3 items should also be inspected e.g. using LPI/PT to detect surface crack(s) on the wheels and other methods for the bearings & fasteners. I’m no engineer but have a little bit of experience in assisting performing root cause analysis.
If gov need to take action over the tyre issue, I hope they also look into normal passenger car. There are many cases especially during raining season at least 50% or more accidents were related to poor tyre gripping.
In Malaysia road at least 30% cars equipped with tyres either botak or over the 5 years lifecycle that the tyre losing grip performance. These people know their tyre is long overdue but they always cheat themselves they drive slow, not driving to highway bla bla bla. End up all these overdue tyres always travel at speed of 80km/h (when the car crash test speed is only 64kmh).
I’ve recently witnessed a middle section tire of a lorry exploded right in front of my car on the NSE near the Kuala Kangsar to Taiping stretch and the lorry was still being driven as if nothing has happened. Good thing it was driven slow else I hate to imagine what could have happened. Rethreaded tires should be reserved for short distance vehicles which doesn’t require high mileage.
tayar mahal pon fail kalau asyik overload je
When the lorry overload, what tyre also burst…
Its a question of tires over lives, we need to seriously ask why that only in Malaysia, folks get creative over saving costs over lives. I think the laws should start putting company owners in jail over the lives lost in accidents attributed to callousness and irresponsibility over lives. Start doing that and perhaps some owners of lorries will start thinking right!
no choice la, china also got different tier of products to choose from, but we are third world country ma, tyre dealers also happy to import third grade tyres to sell, coz easy to move them on and they earn more than selling branded tyres. its a supply and demand market. other products also same, when your majority consumers cannot afford good things, dealers will import below par products to sell.
“Retreaded tyres, Chinese tyres make up 80% of commercial vehicle tyre market, quality checks needed” – wow, looks like only retreated and chinese tyres need QC but not those from other countries like thailand, indonesia, turkey etc etc …