Changing a tire by yourself is dangerous… A string of car derailments across the country, “the real cause and how to prevent them”. | FRIDAY DIGITAL

Changing a tire by yourself is dangerous… A string of car derailments across the country, “the real cause and how to prevent them”.

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LINE

Torn tires due to age-related deterioration

Causes of Increasing Number of Accidents Involving Breaking Off of Tires

Accidents involving automobile wheel spin-offs have been occurring one after another.

On April 27, a tire came off a car traveling on a prefectural road in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, and crashed into a nearby taiyaki store. On May 28, a tire of a moving van also went off in Nouchi-machi, Fukagawa City, Hokkaido.

According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, there were 142 accidents involving wheels coming off of large vehicles in fiscal year Reiwa 2023, more than three times the number from 10 years ago,” said a reporter for a national newspaper.

Why are wheel-loss accidents occurring so frequently? Hideki Kageyama, manager of Tire Center Toyotomi Namegawa, points out, “One reason may be that the recent recession has led to an increase in the number of people who do their own maintenance instead of asking a service provider.

In most cases, the wheel nuts that hold the tire to the car together come off, causing the wheel to come off. The cause is loosening due to insufficient tightening of the nut. In some cases, wheel nuts that do not fit the shape of the wheel nut hole are used to cause the wheel to come off.

It is also not a good idea to over-tighten the nuts because you are afraid that they will come off. If you tighten them too hard, the loaded bolts will stretch or break while driving, resulting in the tire coming off. Although contractors understand the balance in this area, the recent increase in the number of people who change tires on their own has resulted in insufficient inspections and lack of proper installation. This has led to an increase in the number of wheel-loss accidents.

According to Mr. Kageyama, “Tire deterioration itself is another factor that can cause wheel spin-offs.

As tires deteriorate, the wires inside them break. The tire can become deformed or torn, leading to a wheel breakage.

Apart from wheel rides that break off, accidents due to under-inflation are also common. When air pressure is too low, the tire’s ground contact surface deflects, weakening the contact between the two ends and the center of the tire. This causes the tire to yaw and distort, which generates heat and can lead to cracking. These are also factors that can lead to bursts. Each tire has a recommended inflation pressure value that must be observed.”

Tire distortion is a risk that can lead to a serious accident caused by a burst.

Is there anything else that should be done to prevent accidents?

We recommend that you have your tires replaced every four to five years by a professional contractor. For those who change tires on their own, be sure to use wheel nuts that match the wheel specifications and tighten them to the proper torque.

A deflated tire is nothing but a deadly weapon. To avoid serious accidents, each and every driver must have the correct knowledge about tires.

  • Interview, text, PHOTO Junpei Kota

Photo Gallery2 total

Photo Selection

Check out the best photos for you.

Related Articles