Poor tyre maintenance can not only lower your vehicle’s performance and cost you a lot of money in repairs, but it can also put you and others in danger of being involved in a traffic accident. If you want to ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy for as long as possible, you must keep your tyres in good shape at all times.
Here are a few simple tips to keep your tyres in good condition:
1. Check Tyre Pressure Regularly
The steering, handling, braking, and mileage of your car can all be affected by tyre pressure. Under or over-inflation of tyres can increase fuel consumption and make them more prone to wear and tear. It’s critical to check your tyre pressure at least once a month, including the spare tyre. Before long journeys or if your car is carrying a heavier weight than usual, you should check the pressure.
The pressure can be checked at a petrol station or at home with your own pressure gauge, but it must be done when the tyres are cold to get an accurate reading. If you’re unsure, consult your vehicle’s manual for instructions on the optimum tyre pressure.
2. Check for Unusual Wear and Tear
You should also perform a physical inspection of their tyres, looking for any signs of unusual wear or damage such as cuts, bulges, and any objects that have punctured the tyre. If you see any of these issues, you should get them checked out by a skilled technician and, if necessary, get a new tyre fitted. A mechanic will be able to asses your tyre and provide you with next steps.
3. Check Tread
Tyre treads have a direct impact not only on your car’s performance, but also on its general safety, especially in bad weather. It’s critical to ensure that the tread depth does not go below the legal minimum of 1.6mm. Your tyres must be replaced immediately if the tread is at or below the minimum depth.
Remember that driving a car with tyres that are less than this limit is not only unlawful, but also dangerous, and will result in your vehicle failing its MOT.
4. Check Wheel Alignment
Your tyres may suffer as a result of your wheels being out of alignment. Tyres that are misaligned can wear unevenly, weakening them and making them more unreliable. It can also make it difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, as well as affecting your miles per gallon (MPG). Make sure the alignment is examined and corrected if necessary when having your car inspected or new tyres installed at a garage.
5. Mounting the Kerb
Mounting the kerb is sometimes inevitable, whether you’re coming up to park on a crowded street or trying to avoid an obstacle in the road. However, it’s critical to be cautious when manoeuvring your car in this manner, especially if you want to keep your tyres in good shape. When the kerb is mounted, the sidewall of the tyre can become pinched between the kerb and the wheel, weakening it and potentially resulting in a tyre blow-out.
Contact Hammond Automotive – Your Tyre Specialists
We hope that these suggestions warn you to any tyre issues before they become serious. We can ensure that your tyres are safe for the road at Hammond Automotive, ensuring your safety. Come down to our Lutterworth location and our friendly mechanics will be able to assist you with any tyre concerns you may have, whether it’s a repair or the replacement of old tyres. Use our online tyre tool to find out what tyre size your car needs in a matter of seconds!
For additional information, contact us or give us a call on 01455 558360.
