About tires

Know before you go.

Know what tires are fitted, so if you get a flat tire, you know what to do.

Most vehicles use pneumatic tires, that is, they are filled with a gas such as air or nitrogen. There are also run flat ties.

The owners manual in the vehicle will indicate the type of tires fitted to the vehicle.

Run flat tires

Run flat tires are common on European vehicles.

Run-flat or zero-pressure tires can support the weight of a vehicle for a short time, providing the driver with about 50 miles of range to find a repair shop.  The use of run flat tires is conditional as you are limited by your speed and range.

Vehicles with run flat tires, typically do not have a spare wheel.

Guidance

Check to make sure you have these items, so you are prepared before you get a flat tire:

– Jack

– Lug wrench

– Fully inflated spare tire

– Vehicle owner’s manual

– High visibility triangle (mandatory in many European countries)

If you have purchased the vehicle and are not familiar, now is a good time to check.

If you have misplaced any of the above items items, or if your car did not come with these items, you should purchase new ones right away.

Be sure you’re regularly inflating the spare tire to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended PSI.

You should check the spare’s air pressure every time you check your other tires.

Remember to check pressure every month and before long trips or carrying extra load.

Items recommend to have in a vehicle

Guidance

Ensure that you prepare a vehicle before winter, with winter tires and equipment.

Having the right equipment can prevent accidents or reduce the impacts when life doesn’t go to plan.

Tips:

– Fit winter tires

– Replace wiper blades

– Aerosol de-icer spray for windows with thick ice.

– Pack an ice scraper for the windscreen and windows. Even if you usually park in a garage, have one in the car.

– Pack a snow shovel

– Pack sand/salt

– Add winter liquids to windscreen washer bottles and coolants

– Pack LED Roadside Flares or lights in your vehicle

In treacherous conditions, use the Live to Destination feature in Core Lite, to allow contact(s) to follow your journey and be notified automatically when you arrive.

Guidance

Theft of vehicle number plates is used by criminals to conceal their actions i.e. avoid highway tolls, petrol theft.

If you are in a high crime or socially challenged location, secure the vehicle in a locked garage.

Consider fitting special screws that prevent removal of the number / license plates. If using a work vehicle, speak to your vehicle fleet manager or vehicle owner.

Caution. A special tool is required to remove any number plates, so know its location before you apply the screws.

Guidance

Some simple tips that will assist in reducing the risk of collision.

When driving, allow a two second gap between your vehicle and the one in front. This gives you the ability to react to any sudden deceleration.

If stopped in traffic, stop your vehicle at distance where the vehicle tires in front, align with your vehicle bonnet.

This gives you sufficient distance if you need to quickly move into an adjacent lane, or turn.

Guidance

Prevention is better than cure. Use these easy tips to create a barrier to theft of your vehicle.

If not done so already, ensure your vehicle doors has automatic door locking activated.

This safety feature ensures that the vehicle is secured when you are distance from the vehicle, or if the vehicle begins moving over a certain speed.

This prevents offenders opening your vehicle door when stationary, stealing property or the vehicle itself, when slow moving through traffic or car parks.

Vehicle FOB

Minimize the risk of thieves stealing your vehicle.

Ensure your vehicle FOB is stored at a distance from the vehicle, in a RFID secure box.

This prevents car thieves intercepting the security signal between the vehicle and the FOB.

Guidance

Stationary vehicles present targets of opportunity for vehicle theft or ‘carjacking.’

When stationary, do not wind down the window the full way. Leave the window halfway up or more. This creates a barrier between yourself and would be car thieves.

Angle your side and rear view mirrors to you can view all points of approach behind you.

Unbuckle your seatbelt when stationary, so you can exit at any point if you need.

Ensure you have door automatic lock enabled. Modern vehicles lock above a certain speed. To reduce the automatic locking point, access your vehicle menu.

If someone exits the vehicle and you are remaining stationary. Lock the vehicle.

Guidance

Reduce the risk. Be situationally aware.

Traveling through intersections is high risk.

50%+ of collisions occur at or near intersections.

At intersections, consider a gap of one to two seconds before accelerating from a standing start at the entrance to an intersection.

Scan left and right, to identify any vehicles approaching at speed.

This prevents collisions with persons traveling through red lights.

Guidance

A vehicle can fail due to mechanical or electrical issues. The aim is to get the vehicle in a safe position, so the fault can be reviewed and if possible fixed.

Be aware of steps you can take in the event of a vehicle breakdown or failure.

Safety first. Consider the environment and proximity of the vehicle to passing traffic.

Try and aim your vehicle for a location, free of traffic and as flat as possible.

In high speed and heavy traffic locations, it may be safer to stay inside your vehicle and call vehicle road side assistance.

If safe to do so, consider:

– Moving the vehicle off the roadway, to avoid it being a traffic hazard. Some roadways prohibit persons exiting the vehicle onto the roadway, in an effort to shift its location. These locations are generally CCTV monitored and road crews will attend your location soonest. Check via an open source search if no signs visible.

– Put the hazard lights on.

– If safe to do so, exit the vehicle. Put on a reflective vest and deploy a road triangle 656ft (200m) back from the vehicle. This is mandatory in some parts of Europe.

– Contact roadside assistance OR mobile mechanic OR tow truck company. If you feel comfortable and have the skill level, assess the situation yourself.

– Check with your roadside assistance as to any conditions on tow trucks. Generally tows are for a limited range and exclude remote locations.

– Contact local police if the vehicle is causing a traffic hazard. If it is causing a traffic hazard it may be towed and you may receive a penalty notice.

Guidance

If you’re planning extended travel, or regular travel over distances, conduct regular inspections of the vehicle and its contents, to reduce the risk of unplanned events occurring.

Check you have sufficient fuel. Check fuel availability in remote locations.

If traveling in remote locations, if under ¼ of a tank, fill up.

If headed to an alpine area, ensure you have alpine fuel in the tank or additives, to ensure the fuel remains usable.

Check any indicator lights i.e. oil and action.

Check first aid kit(s) are in date.

Check any fire extinguishers have pressure and are in date.

Check and load an emergency ‘go bag.’

Make sure that you have access to a spare key. Either on a passenger or stored at a safe location that is accessible.

If traveling to remote locations:

– Check vehicle tires are suited to the terrain.

– Tires are pumped to recommended pressures.

– Carry a high visibility sheet, able to be placed on the top of a vehicle, so in the event of breakdown, the vehicle can be spotted by aircraft.