Check the tyre pressure!

[Letter to the editor] 

Thabazimbi – I seemed to have a slow puncture on one of the rear tyres of my car, so on Wednesday 27 July my husband and I drove to the petrol station where an attendant assisted us to inflate it.

The following morning, I buckled-up my toddler and made my way to Thabazimbi, just like any other morning. Because the tyre was a little bit flat the previous day, I walked around the car to ensure that it was fine, which it seemed to be.

I was driving along the R510, just before the Ben Albert turnoff, when I felt my car shake, and I heard a loud ‘bang’. I thought I was losing control of my car, but I eventually managed to bring it to a standstill (after the terrible scare!), Upon inspection, I noted that the tire which was inflated the day before had burst.

The tyre is only about three months old, and I haven’t put a lot of kilos on it... so… it might have had something to do with the tyre pressure! 

I would like to warn other motorists to inflate their tyres correctly. Most vehicles have a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door which indicates the pressure suitable for the vehicle, tyre and terrain. You can also check your user manual or even Google. Make sure you know this so that you can advise the person inflating the tyres of your vehicle.

It was a miracle that I could keep control of my vehicle! The worst, however, was that my todler was with me on this trip… It could have ended up much worse. 

Thank you to everyone who stopped to ask if we were alright and thank you to the people who took me to town.

Under Pressure

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