Taking care of your tyres
Car owners love their cars, whether for the comfort, convenience and elegance or performance, speed and overall desirability. This means that they will take care of their cars and ensure they run for as long as possible or until they get a replacement. Maintenance and service are always a priority when referring to car care but one element that is often overlooked is tyre care. Tyres are subject to wear and tear and thus require constant maintenance so as to provide maximum safety and efficiency. Here are a few tips on taking care of your car tyres.
Inflation pressure
A car's movement and overall performance is transmitted from the engine to the road through tires. Poor inflation reduces your tires ability to do this thus compromising your safety. Over time, tyre inflation decreases naturally as the air leaks out. This means that you need to constantly check your inflation pressure. Most tyres have the recommended pressure level indicated on them and should be adhered to provide optimum tyre grip.
Under inflation increases resistance between the road and vehicle, thereby increasing fuel consumption. Constant, correct inflation pressure also increases tyre life in the long run. However, depending on the weight you are carrying, it is advisable to overinflate your tyres when carrying heavy loads.
You can check for pressure at home by purchasing a trusted pressure gauge and checking the pressure levels every few days before starting the car. During cold weather, it is recommended that you check every day as cold air usually contracts, lowering the pressure.
Tyre rotation
To optimize tyre life, rotations are a vital part of tyre maintenance so as to provide even wear and tear. You can have your tyres rotated every time you go for regular car service. It is highly recommended for people who have front wheel drive cars as the axle adds substantial weight on your vehicle, increasing wear. Most cars require tyre rotation every 8000 kilometers. There are four types of rotations
- Wheel drive
- 5 tyre rotation
- Straight rotation
- Wheel drive
Alignment
This is the process of aligning your wheels with axles to ensure optimal performance and safety. It protects suspension, bearings and reduces vehicle rotation, increasing stability of your car at high speeds. Alignment also prevents the tyres from wearing out and saves on fuel consumption.
Repair and replacement
Taking your car to a tyre specialist for inspection is important when in doubt of their condition as they have the technical skills to dissemble, inspect the internal condition of your tyres and repair them. Replacing tyres is also advisable but this depends on issues such as mileage, level of tread depth and weather conditions in your area.
