Your tyres and brakes are what keep the car on the road and bring it to a stop. In Dubai, hot roads, high speeds and heavy traffic make looking after them a safety issue first.
Why tyre pressure matters in the heat
- Air expands: pressure rises as tyres and roads heat up.
- Hot roads wear rubber faster.
- Low pressure overheats the tyre, raises blowout risk and uses more fuel.
- High pressure reduces grip and wears the centre of the tread.
Getting the pressure right
- Use the pressure on the driver's door sticker or in the handbook, not the number on the tyre (that is the maximum).
- Check cold, before driving or after the car has stood for a few hours.
- Check at least every two weeks and before long trips.
- Don't let air out when it rises with heat; the cold reading is the reference.
- Increase pressure for heavy loads as the handbook says.
- Check all four tyres and the spare with a good gauge.
Signs of tyre trouble
- Uneven wear or low tread depth
- Cracks or bulges in the sidewall
- Vibration or pulling to one side
- Repeated slow leaks
- Age: in UAE heat, have tyres older than about five years checked even if the tread looks fine
Why brakes need extra care in Dubai
- High motorway speeds
- Constant stop-start traffic
- Heat build-up in discs and pads
- Sand and dust
- Brake fluid absorbs moisture and its boiling point drops
Signs your brakes need checking
- Squealing or metal-on-metal grinding
- A soft pedal, or one that sinks further than usual
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel
- Pulling to one side under braking
- A brake or ABS warning light
- A burning smell or fluid near the wheels
A sensible schedule
- Brake inspection: at every service
- Pads: by measured thickness; many cars need front pads every 30,000 to 50,000 km
- Discs: measured at every pad change
- Brake fluid: every two years, as most makers recommend
- Calipers, hoses and ABS: checked at major services
Good tyre habits
Rotate tyres regularly, have the alignment checked with new tyres or if the car pulls, balance wheels if you feel vibration, replace tyres in pairs on the same axle, use the correct size and type, and act on tyre-pressure (TPMS) warnings.
Premium cars
On Mercedes, BMW and Audi, pads and discs often wear together, and electronic parking brakes need diagnostic software to open the calipers. Porsche brakes are large and high-performance, and ceramic brakes are inspected differently.
Emergencies
Tyre blowout: hold the wheel firmly, don't brake hard, slow down gradually and pull over. Brakes fading: pump the pedal, change down a gear and use the parking brake carefully.
More about brake repair and wheel alignment.
Need a hand with your car?
Partinn Auto Service is an independent workshop in Dubai Investment Park 2 (DIP 2). Send your car model and the problem on WhatsApp 052 296 5483 or call 058 821 2219. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM.
