5 Things You Didn’t Know About Tyre Maintenance
Tyre maintenance is not only key to a good driving experience but saves money and keeps you safe on the road! Here are some essential things to keep in mind when making sure your tyres are in prime condition:
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Check your tyres for pressure, wear and tear. Overinflation increases the chances of damage upon impact, causes irregular wear to tyres, gives a rough ride and can lead to banging of suspension. Underinflation can also cause irregular wear, increase fuel cost and instability especially when cornering. Recommended tyre pressure can be found in the owner manual or you can ask us when you visit. It’s also very important to keep an eye on the treads of your tyres as the depth of the grooves will indicate when the tyre needs to be changed. The lower the tread depth, the higher the chance of punctures and skidding because at this point the tyres may be smooth. Proper tyre care can extend the life of your tyres and work to preserve life at the same time.
- Rotating tyres means moving around each tyre to occupy a different spot on your vehicle – it helps with ensuring there is an even wear on all tyres and extends their lifespan by doing so. This process should be repeated every 5,000km. It is often accompanied by alignment which is a calibration of suspension and tie-rod settings - this fixes any issues with the vehicle pulling more to one side, improves steering, fuel efficiency and prevents premature or uneven tyre wear. Tyres will also need to be balanced during this process to ensure even weight distribution.
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Choosing the right tyre can be daunting because there are many factors that can come into play but the following is a good summary of what to consider:
- Check your tyre size. If your current tyres are the original tyres the car came with, then it’s safe to follow these specifications when choosing replacements. If not, check the information on the tyre placard and vehicle manual or the sidewall of your current tyres. You will see characters like this: 165/55R17 94H. These refer to the tyre size, load rating and speed rating. Look for the manufacturer's placard in your car - it should have your car's recommended tyre size, load rating and speed rating. Incorrect tyre size can cause transmission and differential concerns!
- Load Index is the maximum weight a moving tyre can carry. This index applies to one tyre; not all four at once. The higher the tyre load index, the more weight it can carry.
- Speed Rating is the maximum speed a tyre can handle before it fails.
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Another big factor to consider is where you drive. Is it mostly on the highway or rural roads? Choose the appropriate tyres for the roads where you are driving – we know pothole dodging can be an extreme sport! Keep weather conditions in mind as well, since you will want tyres that can handle the rainy season’s wet roads.
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Speaking of possible potholes – how you drive also decides the condition of your tyres! Avoid kerbs, hitting dips in the road too hard or driving too fast on rough roads or debris. These actions will all contribute to wear and tear on the tyres and shorten their lifespan.
Keeping these tips in mind will help your tyres to keep you safe and save on cost. We are here ready to help every step of the way!