More good news about tubeless tyres
H. Kishie Singh

SOMETIME ago we discussed tubeless tyres and their virtues. One of the plus points of a tubeless tyre is that it protects the rim from catching rust. The accompanying photograph shows how rust has corroded the inner side of the rim around the nozzle area. You may never get to see this, so the rust continues to grow, and eventually weakens the rim. If you hit a particularly nasty pothole the rim may bend or collapse.

All this happens because the nozzle of the tube fits loosely in the rim-hole. Water seeps in from this opening and the rusting process starts. Slowly but surely the damage continues and the safety factor of the rim decreases.

In the case of a tubeless tyres, the nozzle has an air-tight fit. It has to be to retain the air in the tyre. Since it is air tight, it is also water tight. Thus the rim cannot catch rust and get damaged.

The nozzle for tubeless tyres available these days is a German-made product of high quality. Every time you change a tyre, put in a new nozzle. The old nozzle which may be a few years old needs to be replaced. Wear and tear is something you may not see easily.

There is a weak spot in the radial tubeless tyres — that is the side wall. You would have noticed that radial tyres sit a little flat when the car is stationary. It looks as if the tyre is under inflated. This is the design. To give you that extra comfortable and cushioned ride, the side wall is kept soft by the manufacturer. It acts as a shock absorber.

When driving a car with radial tyres, make sure you take special note of sharp kerb stones, pavements and loose stones lying on the road. Your tyre is designed to climb over obstacles but even a slight brush with the side wall, could damage and weaken it. Again, like rust on the inside of the rim, you won’t be able to see a bruised side wall — which can compromise the safety of the tyre, the car and the passengers.

Another practice that has made our roads dangerous is tailgating. This means moving up to the car in the front. There is always someone faster that you on the highway and in a hurry.And this driver just about pushes the car in front off the road. It is an extremely aggressive mode of driving and fraught with danger.

Do not let the driver behind you dictate terms. Your rear view mirror is of immense value at this time. Without taking eyes off the road you can keep a look out for the lunatic behind you and see his antics.

Keep your cool and change lanes to the left after putting on the left hand indicator. Tailgating usually occurs in the right-hand lane.

Give a wide pass to the tailgater and wave good-bye to a serious problem that you have avoided.

This is also a classic case of defensive driving. It is the responsibility of every driver to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every passenger. Playing tag at speed is a sure recipe for disaster. Avoid it at all times and all costs.

A nudge from the rear at speed can send a car careening across the tarmac like a billiard ball with a mind of its own. Defensive driving is safe driving and safe driving is happy motoring!