Tips
7 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Tyres – Innoson
The tyres of your car are costly and from time to time need to be replaced. The entire weight of the car is riding on the tyres so it is in your best interest to take care of them. Tyre maintenance is simple. You can increase the longevity and performance of your tyres by doing a few simple things.
- Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated
Under inflated or overinflated tyres can result in tyre failure. Check the tyre pressure monthly. That is something you can do yourself with a tyre gauge. If your vehicle has regular maintenance such as oil changes, tyre pressure check is usually part of the routine. Under inflated tyre will result in irregular wear of the tread and potential loss of control of your car. A tyre can lose up to half of its inflation pressure and not appear to be flat. The tyre pressure can be found in your vehicle owner’s manual as well as printed on the side of your tyre. Some back tyres and front tyres use different pressure. Check your user manual or tyres for proper pressure.
- Make Sure Your Tyres Have Valve Caps on All Valve Stems
The cap keeps dirt and water off the stems and also prevents the valve pins from popping out. If the valve pin pops out, you will find your tyre as flat as a haddock.
Regular tyre rotation will help your tyres wear evenly. Your vehicle owner’s manual will note how often your tyres should be rotated. If you follow the regular maintenance schedule for your car, tyre rotation will be part of that routine. If no time period is specified, usually 6,000 to 8,000 miles is a good time frame. If you have a full size spare tyre, make it part of the rotation. Each tyre supports a different weight and this causes your tyres to wear unevenly. Rotating your tyres distributes the unevenness more evenly.
- Proper Tyre Balance
Tyre balancing compensates for the weight of the tyre and wheel assembly after the tyre is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. An unbalanced tyre will cause eccentric tread wear and vibration. Tyres are balanced when they are new and should be rebalanced every other tyre rotation.
- Alignment of the Front and Rear Suspension
Proper alignment helps insure that your vehicle handles correctly. Misalignment is caused by hitting a curb, a pothole or junk in the road. Have your alignment checked occasionally, especially if you drive on rugged roads.
- Proper Driving Habits
The way you drive affects the integrity of your tyres. Drive within the speed limit. High speeds generate excess heat that softens the tyres slightly which adds to the wear and tear of your tyre. Avoid fast turns around corners and on curves. Avoid fast starts and stops, riding on the edge of the pavement; do not drive over curbs, potholes or road debris. Don’t hit speed bumps too hard. Don’t overload your vehicle. If you have a car, don’t use it as a pickup truck.
- Tyre Care
Check your tyres regularly for cuts, punctures, snags and irregular tyre wear. At the first sign of irregular tyre wear have the alignment checked. Clean your tyres with soap and water and a soft brush or shop cloth. Tyre manufacturers usually have tyre and wheel care cleaning products available to help keep your tyres in good condition.
