Tyres have a fixed age and post that they start to affect the vehicle’s performance. However, with a bit of care and attention, you can ensure your tyres’ longevity and save a few bucks on replacement cost. Also, properly maintained tyres improve fuel economy and vehicle handling.
It is fairly simple to maintain your tyres with minimum third-party intervention. A couple of routine check-ups require a garage visit, but otherwise, it is a quite simple process and can be easily done at home. Here is an article about five handy tips on tyre maintenance.
Maintain The Recommended Pressure
The tyre pressure is crucial to avoid slow and rapid punctures. When you drive on low tyre pressure, the tyre’s outer surface is pushed further into the surface, which damages the material over time, and the air starts to slip out gradually. Conversely, if your tyre pressure is too high, the air, upon expanding, will rupture the inner wall, and you will lose control over the vehicle.
If you want to maintain the optimum tyre pressure, follow the pressure instructions given either on the fuel cap or on the driver’s door. Screw-in a pressure gauge on the tyre’s valve and note the readings. Accordingly, inflate or deflate your car tyres Coventry to bring pressure to the recommended level.
Additionally, if you plan a long ride ahead, make sure to inflate your tyres with nitrogen gas because it is relatively cooler and stays put for a longer time. Since nitrogen gas has a low temperature, it doesn’t expand much on heating and doesn’t exert too much pressure on inner walls, which reduces the risk of tyres bursting.
Incorporate Proper Driving Techniques
When driving on slopes, ensure to switch to a 4WD which powers all four tyres equally so that there is an even spin. Usually, when people start a climb on a 2WD, the front tyres are powered, and they drag the rear tyres, which damages the rear tyre’s treads and increases the replacement cost.
Another driving blunder people make is, they don’t use brakes and acceleration in proper synchronisation. They apply the brakes and simultaneously accelerate the vehicle, which damages the inner rim and the outer wall. Therefore, always ensure that you do not use these components together.
This tip is regarding the drive on poor road conditions. The patches and uneven structure present on the road damage the sidewalls, and cracks start to appear. These cracks weaken the outer wall and are primary causes of slow punctures. Similarly, potholes present on the road are responsible for bulges on the sidewalls; these bulges weaken the contact patch and increase the risk of tyres bursting. Sidewalls are meant to withstand extreme pressure, but when driving on poor roads, it is crucial to drive slowly so that the pressure acting on tyres is minimum and the sidewalls last longer.
Occasional Garage Visit Is A Must
It is crucial to visit an auto-garage after certain miles have been covered. Here are some of the maintenance routines included with every garage visit.
Tyre rotation: Tyre rotation means switching every tyre’s position so that the net load carried by each of them remains the same. Usually, the engine powers only front tyres and the tyre on the driver’s side carries an extra load at all times; these extra forces cause greater wear in these tyres. Therefore, the rotation process ensures each tyre’s longevity so that you don’t get stuck with a premature replacement.
Wheel alignment: Over time, the wheels get loose on the axles, and the tyres move out of the frame, which disturbs vehicle handling and damages the treads. The alignment process restores the wheels to their original position.
Wheel balancing: The weight of the car-frame shifts over time, so the load carried by each tyre is not balanced. The balancing process measures the load on each tyre and accordingly adds or reduces extra weight.