The condition of your tires is important for driving safety. You know that tyre is the only part that makes contact with the road. While using old and worn out tyres, the more is chance for skidding of the vehicle. By following the tyre maintenance tips, you can ensure top mileage, safe performance and a longer useful life for your tires.
1. Check the Tyre Pressure Regularly: Remember that the correct tyre pressure reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle. The tyre pressure on all four tyres must be checked visually before your car get started. Ensure that the correct inflation pressure is provided as per the owner's manual. Also keep in mind that during cold weather, the pressure needs to be higher than in higher temperatures.
2. Check Trend Depth: Check the tread depth of your tyres regularly and replace them when they are worn out. The legal limit for car tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm. When the tread depth reduces, the tyres ability to remove water from the road surface also reduces and increasing the risk of aquaplaning. Remember that the deeper the tread, the more grip you have.
3. Wheel Alignment: Always maintain proper wheel alignment because it will protect your tyres from a rapid wear and also save fuel. Keep in mind that wheel alignment should be done after every 5000 km. The wheel adjustment also helps you to achieve a maximum tyre life.
4. Tyre Rotation: Rotating tyres from time to time would ensure that all the four tyres are sharing the burden equally. Rotate tyre positions if any irregular wear is found on any tyre or after every 5,000 kms.
5. Check the Tyre Rim: The tyre rim should be checked regularly to keep it clean from dust and rust. The tyre valve should also be checked regularly in order to maintain the air tight seal and doesn’t allow any passage for air. Always use correct combination of the tyre and rim.
6. Rear Tyres: It is recommend that new tyres or the least worn tyres are fitted to the rear wheels because it ensures better control in emergency braking or tight corners when the roads are slippery and it reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle in wet roads.
7. Tyre Storage: Tyres should be stored in cool and dry place, protected from direct sunlight. It should be away from petrol, oil, grease and chemicals. Because tyres exposed to these materials during storage or driving may be weakened and subject to sudden failure.
8. Inspect Tyres regularly: The tyres that complete 10 years of service should be replaced by a new one. Should follow the vehicle manufacturer's tyre replacement recommendation. Also keep in mind that the tyre performance depends on the factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use.
9. Tyre Loading: Overloading gives excessive strain to the tyres which may result in overheating of tyres. This may further lead to increased wear and sudden tire failure.
10. Drive Smoothly: Tyres are the only link between your vehicle and the road. Try to drive smoothly and avoid high speed driving and unnecessary hard braking. Because both reduces the tyre life.