TYRE MAINTENANCE 101: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF CAR TYRES

One of the essential parts of a car is its tyres. Generally, people take excellent care of the car’s exterior, especially if they have had an expensive paint job done. They regularly check their engines and conduct all necessary maintenance. People who care about their cars and want to maximize their potential do this regularly. But more than half of these people overlook an essential component, the tyres. Car Monkey Used Cars, a used car buyer and seller, reports that most of the used cars they buy show a lack of care.

The engine is the most crucial component of any vehicle, but the tyres are just as important. The tyres bear the weight of the car and undergo the most wear and tear. Mostly, people tend to just change the tyres when they give out, rather than maintaining them to prolong their life span. Maintaining car tyres not only ensures the tyres’ integrity but also that of the car. Additionally, taking care of tyres is not too complex, and people can effortlessly add it to their car-care routine.

TOP TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF CAR TYRES THE RIGHT WAY

Car tyres are almost low maintenance, calling for just a few practices which can elongate their life. Here are some tips to maximise the life of car tyres, which also reduce overall maintenance costs.

Driving Smoothly

It can be pretty tricky to solely drive on smooth roads, as some areas may constitute rough terrain. But driving a car on uneven or rough terrain makes tyres lose their treads at a much faster rate. Also, applying emergency breaks leads to skidding, which can take a toll on the tyres. People should try to avoid uneven terrain as much as possible and drive at recommended speeds to ensure lesser frequencies of applying sudden brakes.

Rotating the Tyres

Tyre rotation ensures all tyres are used evenly and that their wear-tear levels are the same. It is advisable to rotate the car’s tyres after driving 5000kms and get the wheel alignment checked. Regularly rotating tyres ensures that all the tyres have an equal tread level, therefore a smoother drive. Uneven tyre treads could cause discomfort and lead to tyre wear faster. It is essential to use hydraulic jacks provided by the manufacturer while changing tyres to ensure no damage is done during the process.

Regularly Check the Pressure

Every manufacturer has a recommended tyre pressure level depending on the make and model of the car and its recommended tyres. Maintaining these pressures is vital to ensure the smooth handling of a car. Driving at low or high pressures also reduces fuel efficiency. Over-inflated and under-inflated cars ultimately cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle, especially when driving at top speed.

Changing Tyres Right

Manufacturers install a tread wear checker onto tyres, using which the car owner can decide if the tyres require changing. Tread wear below 1.6 mm is unsafe, and it essential to change the tyres at this level. The recommended period is every six years; using them beyond ten years poses threats to safety. There are other factors to consider, for example, the number of kilometers the car travelled, the driver’s driving style and the existing climate.

For example, newer tyres ensure lesser chances of hydroplaning during monsoon. Their tread levels are generally higher, allowing for better grip on the roads.

While changing the tyres, the owner must ensure that every tyre’s size and type is the same as the manufacturer’s recommendation. For example, most commercial cars use radial tyres, and the driver must replace them with the same. Additionally, the driver must ensure that all the tyres are the same size for a smooth and safe driving experience unless the manufacturer recommends different sizes for each wheel.

Right-Sized Bolts

Wheel bolts are essential to keep tyres affixed to the car. They come in several sizes, and the car owner must use the size recommended by the manufacturer. Using larger bolts could deteriorate the vehicle’s suspension and ultimately damage the car. And using smaller bolts could lead to the tyres getting disjointed from the vehicle, which poses a high risk to the driver.

Protecting Them from the Weather

Tyres can also be subject to wear and tear from environmental elements. Parking cars in a puddle or regularly exposing tyres to moisture and water for long periods disintegrates the integrity of the tyres. The tyres become unfit for use faster than if stored under proper conditions. Exposing tyres to hot temperatures is also not advisable. Tyres standing in the sun for too long or in any dry and hot environment (like next to heaters or heating pipes) can lose functionality fast. Driving with these tyres is a safety risk.

Experts at Car Monkey Used Cars recommend including tyre maintenance in the owner’s car upkeep routine for longer lasting tyres.