GOOD MOTORING
Vital visual checks
H. Kishie Singh

The nozzle as it should be. (Right) The nozzle has slipped and is in danger of being cut by the rim hole.

Many times I have mentioned in this column that a visual inspection reveals a lot and can prevent impending trouble.

A very good example of this was highlighted during the Raid de Himalaya. My Gypsy was parked on a lonely road. Vivek, a fellow rider, rode up on his mobike and parked alongside.

He inspected the front-end bash I’d had had a couple of days ago and then gave the rest of the Gypsy a visual inspection.

"You are going to have trouble with this tyre," he prophesied. Sure enough, on closer inspection, I found that the nozzle of the tube was inclined. It was not sticking out its full length at right angles as it should have. Visual inspection of the other wheels proved this instantly.

So what had happened? Explained Vivek, "The tube was under inflated and so was not snug inside the tyre. At some stage as a result of wheel spin, the tyre must have spun, without the tube, thus bringing it out of alignment. It’s only a matter of time before the rim hole will cut the nozzle!"

A flat tyre in the high mountains, may be at night, where temperatures are well below zero was nothing to look forward to. So, I changed the tyre on the spot in order to prevent a lot of misery later on.

This is an excellent example of visual inspection and what it can prevent. It also puts a very positive point forward for tubeless tyres. No tube would mean that nothing would go out of alignment. Today tubeless tyres are available in all sizes. It’s an option you may want to exercise.

You should check your tyres all four of them every morning before driving off. In case one of the off-side tubeless tyres is flat, you may drive quite a distance before you realise you are driving on a flat tyre — enough to may be ruin the tyre. A visual inspection would have been of great help.

The days of the screwdriver technology are over. If you drive one of the newer cars, you may have noticed that the manufacturer does not supply a tool kit. You get a wheel brace, jack plus rod and that’s it. No screwdriver, spanners, pliers or plug spanner. Only an authorised and trained mechanic can attend to your car. What you can do is to keep the engine clean. This way any leaks, loose wires or other out-of-normal looks can be spotted immediately. It’s a great time saver. Familiarise yourself with the engine layout.

Sometimes you get to park in front of a showroom with glass doors. They act as a mirror. It’s a good time to check your lights: flash them, and check the indicators and hazard flashers. Everything will be mirrored for you. You do not even have to get out of the car. Your brake lights and reversing lights can be checked in a similar manner.