Every driver should be able to recognise the importance of keeping their tyres maintained regularly when driving, your tyres are the only thing separating you from the road surface so they should always be kept in pristine condition. There are regulations in place that require your tyres to be up to a certain standard and if they aren’t, drivers run the risk of charges and fines. These regulations are in place because the government recognises the dangers involved with damaged tyres and you should always check your vehicle for tyre damage before you set off on a long journey or if you haven’t driven your vehicle for a long time as tyres can deteriorate over time. The aim of this article is to present drivers with a variety of options when it comes to maintaining and checking your vehicle for tyre damage.
Tread Wear
Car tyres are not built to last forever, they have a lifespan like many products and should be replaced before they reach the end of their lifespan in order to ensure optimal safety. There are a variety of reasons why your tyres should be replaced before they become unsuitable but the most important is the tread wear. Depending on the car you drive, how you drive, distance and road conditions to name but a few, your tyres will wear unevenly and need to be replaced or re-treaded. Other causes of uneven or rapid tread wear include under and over-inflating, faulty or improper brakes and incorrect wheel alignment. If you own you have owned your car for a long-time tread wear is unavoidable, however, it can be managed. To keep tread wear constant amongst all four tyres and even your spare tyre you should try to swap them around every so often.
Cuts and Breaks
If you haven’t driven your car for a long period of time or you are planning a long trip you should check your tyres for cuts, breaks and abrasions. Debris and foreign objects have the potential to penetrate deep into your car tyre and can cause damage to the tyre whilst also becoming a safety hazard. If you notice any damage to your tyres you should avoid driving your car until you’re sure that it’s safe to drive.
Wheel Balancing
For your tyres to be in constant and consistent contact with the road the wheels and tyres must be balanced as driving a car with unbalanced wheels can cause problems with the steering and brakes as well as higher than usual fuel consumption. To correct wheel balance you can use an electronic wheel balancer to measure and correct any problems. You might also need to rebalance your tyres when you repair or replace your tyres. Either way, it’s definitely worth checking this before you go ahead and make any changes to your tyres.
Tyre Pressure
Ensuring that you regularly check your tyre pressure is an important aspect of effective tyre maintenance, it should be done at least once a month and before any extended trips, you plan to take. One added tip is that you should ensure that your tyres are cold prior to carrying out the check for a more accurate result. The pressure required varies depending on the type of car and the brand of tyre, for example; the pressure required for Continental Tyres brand would differ from the pressure required for Michelin Tyres brand. The appropriate pressure is normally specified by the vehicle manufacturer and the tyre producer and can be found in the vehicle manual or online.
It might be worth remembering that your tyre pressure can vary depending on the weather, for example; pressure decreases rapidly in warmer weather so should be checked more often in the summer time. A good idea would be to buy a tyre pressure gauge online and keep it in your glove box for peace of mind. You should also remember to check your spare tyres even if you do not use it, at least you know that when you do it will be up to the standard required.