CS Safety Program

Tire
Safety
Course Contents
• What causes tire related
accidents
• Reading Information on
tires
• Tire Pressure
• Tread Wear
• How to tell if tires are worn
• Typical signs of damage
• Tire Load
Accidents can be caused by:
Too Much or Too Little Tire
Pressure
Worn Tires & Damage to
Tread or Sidewalls

Nails and Chunks Taken out

of Tread

Too Much Load on Tires

 Tire Markings
A. Name of tire company
B. Tire size, speed rating
C. Type of tire
D. Tire conditions it was
made for (MS means tire
for mud and snow)
E. Maximum tire pressure
F. Approval rating
G. American tire
identification numbers
H. Country tire was made
in.
Non USA Tire Markings

Non USA tires have different codes, so your

companies should ask suppliers for the
manufacturer’s written information on the
tires or check their specifications out on the
Internet.
 Tire Pressure

The pressure stated on tires is to avoid

bursting tire. It states maximum pressure
NOT driving pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked before
using the vehicle and not after use.
 Tire Pressure
Use a gauge to check the air pressure in
each tire. Add air or deflate as needed to
match the vehicle manuals’ r
recommended level.
 When to check
Refer to your vehicle manual for the
recommended tire pressure. You might also
find this information on a sticker in the
glove box or on the driver's door jamb.
 Tread Wear
Tread should wear evenly. Inspect each tire
for unusual tread wear.

Under-inflated: Wears the edges of the tread more than the center.
Over-inflated: Wears the center of the tread more than the edges.
Proper: The entire tread is worn at the same rate (aka, correct
pressure)
 Over or Under Inflation
Under Inflation: can
lead to loss of vehicle
control.

Over Inflation: if
severely over
inflated, the tire may
burst on cornering
 How to tell if tread is worn
Monitoring tire safety involves more than
checking air pressure. Routine tire
inspections will help you identify problems
with tires and other important systems.
Tire Tread Gauge
 Checking Tire Tread with Coin
If you don’t have a tire tread gauge, place a
Saudi 5 halala coin into a groove between the
tire treads, with the 5 on the bottom. If the
tread is at or beyond the top of the 5 you have
a satisfactory level of tread left.
 Typical Signs Of Damage
Typical signs of damage (chunks missing,
nail embedded, etc.) If nailed, take advice
from the tire shop for a proper repair if not
replaced. It should be a volcanized seal.
 Dangerous Wear
When you discover a badly worn or
damaged tire, have it replaced ASAP!
 Tire Sidewall Checks
Check the sidewalls to make sure they aren’t
damaged. If they are, make sure you replace the
tire immediately. Do NOT drive on it. Use the
spare.
Tread Wear Indicator on Tires
Some tires have tread wear indicators in
the tread itself. Minimum should be 5mm.
 Uneven Tread Wear
If the tread wear is more
evident on one side or
your wheel alignment is
off.

If the tread wear is uneven

you probably have bad
shocks or struts.
Wheel Balancing & Alignment
If the steering and tires
aren’t correctly aligned &
evenly balanced you could
lose control of the vehicle
at high speeds and have
an accident
 Telling the Age of a Tire
Tires carry a DOT number on the sidewall that gives a
production date. Since the year 2000 the numbers
consist of 4 digits instead of 3. The first two digits
indicate the calendar week of production and the next
two the year of production.
 New & Spare Tires
 Make sure your
company has spare tires
in stock (life is 4 years
max).
 Ensure your spare
wheel’s tire is correctly
inflated & not damaged
or worn.
 Blow outs
If you don’t take care of your tires you could
have one blow out on the road which can
lead to a serious accident. Take care of your
tires and they will take care of you!
 Maintaining Tires
• Mechanic should put vehicle on
inspection ramp and remove wheels and
inspect tires carefully, otherwise they can
not be inspected properly.
• Check to make sure the mechanic is
competent to do tire inspections.
Safety Precautions -Tire Rotation
 Tire Load
Even if tires are in
good condition they
can only take too
much weight. Don’t
overload your
vehicle!
Which tire would you rather drive on?

Questions?
How to Read
Tires
Summary
• Regular tire checks
• Train all drivers in tire
standards
• Competent mechanic to
check or repair tires
• Correct pressure
• Identify tread wear &
damage