Attack of the bumps

My 10-year old Primera (a reliable car that wont be going anywhere near the scrappage scheme) recently suffered from a loud rumbling noise at about 50 mph. My garage diagnosed inner wall damage to the tyres, replaced all four and the car is running happily again. I believe my habit of "straddling" the numerous speed cushions in my area has caused this. Is there a recommended way of driving over these obstacles to minimise tyre damage? Apart from very slowly?

Asked on 29 August 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

One wheel over, one wheel beside, and as far as possible alternating. May break springs and twist the body, but doesn't damage the inner
sidewalls of the tyres so is less likely to cause damage to the car that can kill you. In fact tyre failure was cited as the definite cause of at least 46 fatalities in 2007 and since speed cushions have been multiplying since then the current figures must be much higher.

Tags: speed humps driving

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