Tires are a vital components of any car, they are the only part of the car in contact with the ground. They are manufactured using high grade materials which help them last long. Modern tires are made up of materials such as synthetic rubber, natural rubber and some other chemical compounds. Depending on certain aspects such as weather and road conditions tyres can generally last somewhere between 30,000 Kms to 80,000 Kms. Follow these useful tips which can help you make most out of your tyres before you need to buy new ones.
1.Tyre Pressure
Under-inflated tyres are a leading cause of tyre damage. Due to low air pressure tyre surface comes in contact with the road. This results in more friction and heat which is significantly dangerous for the tyres. Under-inflated tyres can cause blowout while driving and can result in lost control over the car. Sometimes an under-inflated tyre cannot be recognized with a naked eye so it is recommended to get the tyre pressure checked using the pressure-gauge at least once in a month to ensure the proper safety of you and your vehicle.
2.Wheel Balancing
If one area of your car feels heavier than the other or the car feels imbalanced then your tyres need wheel balancing. Improper wheel balancing can cause faster tyre wear along with vibrations which can make the car ride unpleasant. At higher speeds it can also cause damage to the suspension and the steering system of the car. It is necessary to have appropriate wheel balance whenever you replace a tyre or buy new ones.
3.Wheel Alignment
Driving on uneven roads, wrongly placed cat eyes and hitting potholes can disturb the wheel alignment of your car. Improper wheel alignment can greatly alter your handling while increasing the chances of tyre wear and also increases fuel consumption. If your car handling doesn’t feel normal then you might need to visit a tyre specialist and get your wheels aligned.
4.Maintain Rear Tyres
Unlike the front wheels, rear wheels of a car are not connected to the steering in FWD cars, which means you cannot really know the traction available at the rear of the car. It’s always suitable to equip the rear wheels with newer or less worn out tyres. This automatically increases traction and helps the car to stop better. Also reducing the risk of losing control at higher speeds and tyre blowouts under heavy load.
5.Detect Trye Wear
Traction is the vital part for any vehicle and worn out tyres can significantly reduce traction and grip. Some tyres come with tread wear indicators which become leveled with the surface of the tyres when only 1.6mm of tread depth is left on tyres. 1.6mm is the widely accepted tread depth on which it’s recommended to chance the tryes of the vehicle.
6.Look for Internal Damage
Sometimes it’s not possible to detect the inner damage of tyres when it’s mounted to the vehicle. It is a good practice to get tryes inspected by an expert for possible tyre damage from the inside. Inspecting the inner conditions of the trye can point out possible air leakage. Leakage can lead to flat tyre or even blowouts which can be fatal at high speeds.
7.Don’t Drive Fast
Driving at high speeds encourages heat buildup in tyres. As we mentioned earlier heat is bad for tyres. This also increases the chances of damage due to road hazards and can cause air loss. Make sure you drive at optimal speeds or opt for high speed tyres which can endure high speed with less damage to the tyres.
8.Avoid overloading
Check your tyre’s max load capacity against the tire load index. Overloading can also help heat buildup in tires and this can contribute in sudden blowouts. With high loads, it becomes impossible to gain back control of your car if a blowout occurs so better respect your tyre’s max load capacity.
9.Saying Goodbye
When the right time comes it always good to say goodbye. For your safety and the people around you it’s necessary to replace the old tyres with new ones. Keep track of the miles you covered with your tyres and follow the manufacturer’s instruction on when to replace the tyres of your vehicle. Most tyres have an age limit of 5 to 10 years and even though they may seem healthy but it’s better to replace them with new one.
10.Carry a Spare Wheel
No matter how careful you are. Disasters can still happen. In case of an emergency, a spare wheel is your best friend. Its gives you a peace of mind during long journeys and helps you take your car to the nearest tyre station in case of a tyre burst.
