Looking after your tyres will not only save you money — on tyres and also on fuel – but can improve handling, reduce brake wear and prevent accidents.
They’re an essential safety feature of your car and if not properly maintained, they can pose a significant safety hazard. Not to mention; the cost for tyre replacements which can often be unexpected, so it makes sense to take care of them.
Sadly, many car owners don’t know much about tyre maintenance. We’ve put together a list of helpful tyre safety tips you can use to maintain your tyres and conserve their condition, ensuring safe travels ahead!
1. Tyre Maintenance
What is the importance of maintaining your tyres?
There is constantly a lot of pressure on your tyres as the surface area of the tyre which is in contact with the road at any one time, is only small.
Maintaining your tyres help with:
- Ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.
- Increases efficiency of your vehicle.
- Improve comfort whilst driving.
- Improve handling and driver control.
2. Maintain the Right Tyre Pressure
It is important to check and maintain tyre pressure at the proper levels for the tyre and vehicle type. This makes driving a lot safer and contributes to the life of the tyre. On the other hand, low tyre inflation can result in the tyre to lose its grip on wet, rainy surfaces. Over inflated tyres have less grip and contact on the road, which will wear them out quicker and have a higher chance of bursting. So, it is advised that you keep your tyre pressure at the recommended level and check tyre pressure on a regular basis around every 2-4 weeks.
To find how much pressure your tyres need and recommendations for tyre pressure, you can simply look for the number in your car owner’s manual or on a label located on the driver’s doorframe. If you buy new tyres, be sure to learn the correct pressure and we will be happy to assist you with this.
3. Check Tyre Tread Depth Regularly
Tyre tread depth is another important factor to keep in mind when you check the condition of your tyres. When you check for tyre pressure (ideally every month), you should also check for tread depth/wear. Checking them regularly will help keep good traction on wet roads and ensure that they are at a safe level.
Excessive shoulder wear is typically indicative of under-inflation, while wear to the centre of the tread indicates over-inflation. Many tyres have tread wear indicator bars moulded into the tyre tread. Once tread wear indicators become visible, you will see a bar of rubber across the width of the tread; it is time to replace your tyres.
4. Tyre Rotation
Tyres on the front and rear are subjected to different loads therefore, regular rotation is necessary to maintain even tread wear and get the most out of your tyres. As each of your wheels goes through different levels and types of wear, periodic tyre rotation plays an important role in optimising tyre performance and increasing its longevity. Following this important step can significantly help ensure a smoother ride, which in turn, increases your overall road safety.
Rotation is recommended to be done every 5,000-7,000 miles and if you experience annoying vibrations or irregular tread wear, then it might be a possibility that your tyres are unbalanced.
5. Balance and Alignment
Wheel balancing allows the tyres and wheels to spin without causing any vibrations and is recommended for a better ride, handling and safety. Unbalanced tyres leading to road vibration can cause premature tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicles suspension. Balancing should be checked after new tyres are installed or after a puncture is repaired.
Every vehicle has specific wheel alignment setting. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering and is properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Wheel alignment should be done after every 5,000kms or whenever any irregular wear on tyre is found.
Taking care of the small things is what matters most. Manu’s Tyre Service has the perfect tyres for your vehicle, from comfort tyres to performance tyres. Get your tyre replaced when required and it is best to invest in a good set of wheels and become more confident on the road.
