Unfortunately many drivers overlook the fact that its very important to check their tyres regularly. Its important because tyres are one of the most important components of any car or vehicle.
They are a big factor in making a car safe or unsafe to drive.
The sad fact is that although there are a few simple things they can be done to make sure their tyres stay in good condition drivers do not do these regularly enough.
Here are some things can be done :
- Check the pressure regularly
The pressure can be checked at your local petrol station or with your own pressure gauge. It is best to do this when your tyres are cold to achieve an accurate reading.
To find what pressure your tyres should be check the owner’s manual for optimum settings under certain circumstances. Also often you may find a label with the pressure settings on the inside of the cars frame.
Tyre pressures that are incorrect can cause a problem in the car’s steering, handling, braking and will also impact the economy of the car or vehicle.
For example tyres that are under or over inflated can increase the fuel consumption at the same time increasing the chance of more wear and tear.
The worst scenario of having the wrong tyre pressure is a blowout, which can cause you to lose control of your car.
To avoid putting yourself at ant risk you should check your tryres regularly each month.
You should also check the pressure before long journeys or if your car is carrying a heavier load than usual.
- Check for damage to the tyre or unusual wear and tear
Drivers doing a physical check is very important,checking for any signs of unusual wear or damage. This is looking for things like can slashes, bulges or any objects that may have punctured the tyre but its not
actaully affecting the tyre at this moment.
.
If you notice any of these you should get them checked by a professional mechanic and repaired if necessary.Some tyre punctures cannot be repaired so will need to be replaced with a new one.
If you get a puncture while driving, replace it with the spare if applicable until you make it to the nearest garage to be inspected. Spare tyres are designed only for temporary use and should be swapped
with a regular one as soon as possible.
- Make sure the tyre has enough tread
Tyre treads have a direct impact not only on the performance of your car, but also its overall safety, especially in poor weather conditions.
The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, according to law.
The tread must meet this minimum requirement across its complete circumference.
Remember, driving a car with tyres below this limit is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous and will cause your car to fail its MOT test. Having the correct depth is essential to ensuring good control and safety of your vehicle.
- Don’t overload your car
It may seem like common sense but often drivers may be tempted to overload their car or vehicle.
Overloading your car can be more hazardous than you may think. A car or vehicle carrying a lot of weight can cause problems with steering and handling and can cause excessive wear on the tyres.
Putting more pressure on the tyre than it should can also cause a tyre blowout.
You can check this detail on the tyre because they include a label which will have the tyre load index marked on it. Take care not to exceed the recommended amount.
You may also be able to find out how much weight your car can safely handle
on the inside of cars frame.
If you plan on towing for example a trailer or caravan you will find information about this on the owners handbook.
- Keep your wheels aligned
Having your wheels out of alignment can also create problems for your tyres. Incorrectly aligned tyres can result in uneven wear, which can in turn weaken them which increases the chance of damage to them.
Mis aligned tyres can cause problems with general steering which is very dangerous so this should be checked immediately. - Be careful when mounting the kerb
If you are pulling up to park on a street or you’re trying to get around an obstacle or another car on the road, sometimes you may have to mount the kerb. However be mindful when you’re manoeuvring
your car in this way. Mounting the kerb can cause the tyre’s sidewall to become pinched between the kerb and the wheel, this can weaken it and potentially cause a blow out.
Avoiding scraping the side of the pavement at all costs if you can. - Maintain good driving habits
It is also important that you practice good smooth driving to keep your tyres in top condition. Excessive braking or acceleration while driving, or stop starting stopping can have a detrimental effect on your tyres and
cause them wear more quickly. Avoid hazards on the road like potholes and always slow down when going over humps in the road, this can lead to mis alignment problems.
With that in mind, try to drive as smoothly and consistently as possible and avoid excessive speeds.
You should also try to avoid any uneven road surfaces and hazards such as potholes and take care to slow down for speed bumps to prevent the wheels from being knocked out of alignment.
Keeping your car or vehicles tyres in good condition will enable you to have more smooth and comfortable driving journeys’s.
If you have a concern about the condition of your vars or vehicles tyres pop in to see us, we will be happy to check them out for you ar Clinton Garage in Kenilworth. We also have a great range of car tyres for sale.