When we talk about cars, it is always about engine, power, torque transmission and mileage but we forget one of the most important component which helps translate everything on the road- The Tyres! It so happens that we often ignore the tyres which should not be the case as it is important not only to have a good set of car tyres, but one should also take good care of car tyre so as to get the best out of your vehicle.
Check air pressure regularly: Correct car tyre pressure reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle. It also protects your tyres from premature wear and irreversible damage to the internal construction. Tyre pressure drops over a period of time due to small perforations, the natural escape of air through the tyre’s components, or even from a change in atmospheric temperatures. Check the pressure of your tyres, including your spare, weekly and before any long journey, preferably when your tyres are cold (not having run for at least 2 hours or having run for less than 3 km at low speed). Unchecked, it can cause the following:
– Under or over inflation can reduce the life of your tyres, affect their performance and increase the risk of damage.
– Uneven and undue wear and tear
– Under-inflated tyres have higher rolling resistance, which means it takes more effort from the engine to move your vehicle.
a) Overinflated tyre can cause bumpy rides
b) Correct tyre pressure will even save fuel
The recommended tyre pressure can be found in the user manual of your vehicle or on a label on the door or door frame of the vehicle
Note: The recommended tyre pressure is NOT located on the tyre. The inflation pressure shown on the tyre sidewall is the maximum tyre inflation pressure.
Wheel Alignment: It’s difficult to ascertain whether your wheels and axles are correctly aligned while driving. But you can always check it by keeping leaving the steering centred and see if the car is steering towards one side. The handling may be altered and your safety compromised. If your car tyre has come into contact with a solid object, such as an edge or pothole, or you have noticed uneven wear on your tyres, please go to a tyre specialist to have it thoroughly inspected. It’s important to ensure correct alignment to:
– Get the best road handling
– Protect your car tyres from irregular and/or rapid wear
– Save fuel
Wheel Balancing: Balancing helps prevent premature wear of your car tyres and eliminates vibration. It also protects the suspension, steering system and bearings of your vehicle. Have your wheels balanced regularly or when a tyre is replaced, a balance weight is moved or removed, or you purchase new tyres. You’ll know a wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This can cause:
– Uneven and rapid tread wear
– Vibration
– More stress on front-end parts
– Front-end parts to wear prematurely
Wheel Rotation: Over a period of time, the tyre wears out and being fixed on the same spot make them uneven. Thus rotation of tyres at the specified interval is a very important aspect of car tyre maintenance. It helps in following ways:
– Providing proper grip levels
– Avoid uneven and rapid tread wear
– Vibration
– Save fuel
Tyre Valves: Valves play a very important role in the proper functioning of the tyres as they are vital to maintaining the tyre pressure. It also acts as a barrier to all atmospheric elements such as moisture, temperature changes etc. The valve cap is also important to maintain the pressure (high-quality caps are recommended). It also helps to block dust particles from obstructing the valve.
You should check the valves of your tyre intermittently as
– Valves are usually made of rubber and therefore age with time.
– They can be damaged by high speeds and air can leak.
You should change the valves whenever you buy new tyres or when you find them damaged.
Tyre wear and depth: You should regularly check the tread depth of your tyres and replace them when they are worn. This will guarantee maximum grip and traction, thus avoiding any mishaps. Change your car tyres before your tread depth is worn to 1.6mm. Your safety and mobility depend on a good level of tread depth because:
a) The tread grooves disperse water from underneath your car tyre, helping maintain control
b) The more tread depth you have remaining on your tyres the more water they can disperse, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.
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