The first case shows a tyre with its tread separated from its casing. Could this have been a manufacturing defect? Yes, provided the tyre was not over six years old, as in this case. The tyre was manufactured in 1994, but was sparingly used, thus the tread was not worn out but the casing deteriorated and when subjected to speeds above 130kmph, literally tore out in chunks. Thanks to radials, the owner was able to control the vehicle to a slow stop.



The second case you will notice again the tyre has suffered a tread/belt separation. This too can be attributed to a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately the owner had purchased this imported tyre from a dealer who sold him a defective tyre. This is very clear from the fact the specific markings, which give the authenticity of a tyre has been buffed off. Secondly the speed rating of the tyre was 'S' (160kmph), while the vehicle was a Mercedes, capable of being driven at speed of over 190kmph. We asked the owner to replace them with a 'V' rated tyre, for safer driving.

Here we see a tyre, which may have suffered an impact before it entered the highway. This tyre was a tubeless type but was fitted with a tube. Now the tyre must have absorbed the impact but the tube did not.As the tyre flexed, heat generated within and after the near completion of the journey the tube gave way rendering the tyre useless. The damage of the tyre and tube can be clearly seen. Moreover the nature of impact is also visible at the rim area.



The fourth case, I would like my readers to see how a nail penetration has caused this tyre to fail and by the time the vehicle could be brought to a standstill the tyre was ruined.Here again I would say that the owner has been lucky to use a radial, as although his tyre was wrecked he was able to come back with his story safely to us.



In my last case we see a tyre which has more than 60,000km logged on it. The life of the tyre was virtually over, as the tread depth had already reached its 'TWI' (Tread Wear Indictor) marking or had only 1.6mm tread depth left. Yet the owner was reluctant to replace his tyres and as luck would have it on his return after a weekend at Lonavala, the tyres developed a belt distortion. The only solution for him was to replace the entire set.

With faster cars and better road conditions, the need for speed keeps getting hotter.