Apart from replacing them when they wear out, do car tyres also need special attention?
Being the sole point of contact between your car and the road, the tyres are a very important part of the chain. Most car owners simply choose to ignore the condition of tyres and end up repenting later on. Every year, many accidents take place due to tyre bursts. With proper and regular care, one can ensure good condition of their car’s tyres and reduce the risk of mishaps and breakdowns. Below are ten simple tips that you can follow to care for your car’s tyres and extract the best performance and life out of them –
10) Inspect The Sidewalls – Quite often, tyre sidewalls develop cuts, cracks, budges or bubbles due to age, contact with sharp or pointed objects. One should inspect the sidewalls regularly and a tyre with a damaged sidewall must be discarded.
9) Timely Alignment, Balancing And Rotation – Every 5000 kms, one must check for poor alignment of the wheel and uneven tread wear. Alignment and balancing should be carried out at regular intervals through a dedicated tyre outlet. Wheel rotation should be carried out at the same time.
8) Remove Stones From Tread – Some tyres have a tread pattern on which small stones get stuck easily. It is a good practice to occasionally use a flat object to remove the stones from tyre treads.
7) Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure – One should get tyre air pressures checked from a reliable source once in a fortnight. A tyre pressure monitor can be used to check air pressures of cold tyres at home.
6) Fill Nitrogen Gas – Nitrogen gas has less chances of leaking as compared to regular air. More importantly, one can be assured of getting accurate tyre pressures as nitrogen filling centres use reliable machines.
5) Sedate Driving – Spirited driving style greatly reduces the life of tyres. Burnouts and hard cornering are a strict no-no.
4) Stick To Stock Size – Since air volume in an upsized tyre is different from stock size tyres, it is quite difficult to find an ideal tyre pressure. However, certain manufacturers offer under-tyred cars in the interest of fuel efficiency.
3) Spare Tyre – Spare tyre should be checked at every wheel alignment and balancing session for correct air pressure, punctures and sidewall bulges.
2) Use A Tyre Dresser – Tyre dressers help to get a shiny black sidewall. Prior to applying tyre foam, one must clean the surface using a mild degreaser and a brush.
1) Replace At Correct Intervals – Tyres should be replaced as they wear out and tread wear indicator is visible. On an average, car tyres last for 30-35,000 kms depending on compound, use and terrain.
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