Frequently Asked Questions

Gas expands when heated and contracts when cooled.  In Arabia, the daily temperatures rise and fall between day and night, as well as seasonally.  As the days get longer and hotter during summers, it's especially important to check your tire pressure.

The tyre pressure recommended in your vehicles owner manual is based on cold inflation pressure i.e. the tyre pressure should be checked before the tyre has been driven a significant distance.

For every 5 degrees Celsius increase in temperature the inflation pressure inside the tyre would approximately increase by 1psi.  The same phenomenon is there when the outside temperature drops as well.  In most parts of Arabia, the morning and day time temperatures can vary between 15-20 degrees Celsius, which translates to a variance of about 3-4 psi during the course of one day.

You must always check your tire inflation pressure when your tires are cold, and inflate them to the manufacturer recommended pressure.

Tyres can overheat which increases the chance of them bursting – this will also increase the war and tear so you will have to replace them much sooner.

Also, tyres that are under inflated will also affect the handling of the car by impacting the steering and, since they increase the rolling resistance, you should expect to pay much more in fuel costs. 

While over inflated tyre will not only give you a rough and an uncomfortable ride, tit will also reduce the surface area of tyre in contact with road which results in reduced grip. 

In the Arabian hot weather, the tyre pressure can increase by 3-5 psi depending upon the outside weather, which can cause the tyre to cross the max inflation limit and explode under high speed. 

Too much air will also speed up tyre wear and make your tyres more prone to damage from impact. 

Mixing tires should not be done unless it is explicitly approved by the vehicle or tyre manufacturer. It is not desirable to mix tyres of different size, tread, etc or mix all season/summer with winter tires as this is likely to compromise balance, stability and control. To avoid ever having to mix tyres, it is advised that tyres are regularly rotated so that the tread wears out evenly.

While the best thing to do is to change all four tyres, it is not always a feasible option, in which case changing only a pair may seem more desirable. In this case, it is best to choose the exact same tyre.

Alternatively tyres from the same performance category can be chosen, but it is advised to stay as close as possible to the characteristics of the ones currently on the vehicle (i.e. in terms of speed rating, traction, handling). Although not as well recommended as the option of replacing the tyres with the exact same ones, it may become necessary when the same ones are not available.

Choosing different tyres altogether is not recommended, unless an emergency. Drivers should be cautioned that doing so will compromise the balance, stability and handling of the vehicle and can create unsafe driving conditions, particularly in unfavorable weather conditions and/or when being pushed hard.

For those with 4x4/All Wheel Drive vehicles, it should be noted that the mechanical setup of these vehicles allows for momentary differences in wheel speeds. Using a different tyre on one side of an axle or one with more tread wear will cause excessive heat, and eventually, unwarranted failure. The smallest difference in diameters will place strain on the driveline.

Temperature grades are an indication of a tyre's resistance to heat. Sustained high temperature (for example, driving long distances in the hot middle eastern weather), can cause a tyre to deteriorate , leading to an increased chance of a blowout or tread separation.

From highest to lowest, a tyre's resistance to heat is graded as “A”, “B”, or “C”.

As per Gulf Standards Organization and EMSA, The temperature grade of a vehicles tyre sold in the Gulf region must be “A” or “B”.  

Tyre pressure is not just a big deal it’s a massive deal!  

All standards and specifications your tyres are certified for are only applicable if there is the right amount of inflation pressure in your tyres.  It affects fuel efficiency, life of the tyre, comfort and most importantly; safety of the occupants of the vehicle.   

Off all the safety features on your vehicle, tyres are by far the most important safety equipment!

 

You must check the pressure of your tyres at least once a month and every time you are off to a long journey. 

Just visual inspection of the tyre is not sufficient to determine if the tyre has proper inflation or not.  Always check the pressure of all four (or more) tyres. Once in a while you must also check the pressure in the spare wheel.   Always use dependable equipment at a credible petrol pump or a proper tyre fitting shop. 

It would not take you more than 5 minutes of your time!

The best place to look for this information is your vehicle’s owner manual.  

As per GCC regulations, on new vehicles, the information must be located on the “B-pillar,” by the driver's side doorjamb.  For vehicles that do not have a B-pillar, mostly sports cars and coupes, the information should be attached to the rear edge of the driver side door, unless it’s too narrow, in which case it is usually placed on the inward-facing surface next to the driver's seat.  On some vehicles, you can also find the same information on the driver’s doorjamb, Fuel filler door lid or the glove box as well.