Learn from Michelin, the leaders in the tyre industry. This demonstration video highlights the characteristics of an under inflated tyre. The tyre is on the steer position of a fully loaded semi-trailer (weighing the equivalent of 5 fully grown African Elephants!), traveling at 90km/h, the results may surprise you!

Ever driven down the road and had a tyre blow? Tyre failure/claim would be your first reaction, I'm sure. After viewing this video a better understanding can be achieved as to how important air is to the tyre and preventing it from letting go. What it does not explain however, is at which point the tyre had reached the point of no return and even if the driver had stopped, nothing could be done to save the tyre. At the 4 minute mark of the tyre running low on air, the sidewall had received so much punishment causing the inner liner to wear away, exposing the steel belts and as a result, allowing air to travel between the casing of the tyre.

To prevent this potentially fatal circumstance arising in your life, there are a few measures you can take.

• Pre-drive Check.
• Pressure Monitoring System.
• Maintaining a regular check of air pressure.
• Be aware of other drivers, they will generally point something like this out to you.
• Have the radio at an acceptable level to also be able to hear your surroundings/vehicle.

Hopefully this has raised some drivers awareness and helped them become a more skilful driver.