prabhuIt is important for every car owner and business owner with a fleet of vehicles to know how to extend the life of their tyres. That’s because tyres are not only a crucial component of a vehicle’s safety, but also a significant expense. Keeping your tyres in good condition for as long as possible will help ensure safe driving and save you money. Here are 5 simple tips to help you extend the life of your tyres:
1. Check the pressure. Insufficient or excessive tyre pressure can lead to uneven wear, poor handling and reduced fuel economy. Check the pressure of your tyres, including the spare wheel, regularly, following the recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to check the tyre pressure at least once a month and before long journeys.
2. Regularly inspect and reposition the tyres. Inspect the tyres for signs of wear such as cracks, tears, punctures, cuts, uneven wear and foreign objects. If you notice any damage, have them inspected by a qualified technician.
Front tyres tend to wear faster due to steering and braking loads. Tyre rotation is important to ensure that all tyres wear evenly. Regularly rotate the tyres between each other, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or every 6000 to 8000 miles.
3. Store the tyres properly. If you are removing the tyres for seasonal storage, store them in a cool, dry and dark place away from direct sunlight, ozone and heat sources. Be sure to clean the tyres from dirt before storing them.
4. Have the wheels balanced and aligned regularly. Ensure that the wheels are balanced when fitting the tyres and check them periodically. Over time, wheel alignment and balance may become disturbed, resulting in uneven tyre wear and a loss of handling and stability, which can be dangerous, especially at high speeds or in slippery conditions. Check the camber every year, or whenever you notice uneven wear or your vehicle pulls to one side.
5. Avoid aggressive driving. Hard braking, sharp cornering and driving at high speeds can cause premature tyre wear. Drive smoothly and carefully, avoid sudden manoeuvres and obey the speed limits.
Other causes of premature tyre wear include
- malfunction of the track rod end manifested in steering wheel vibrations and poor handling and leads to uneven tyre wear;
- overloading the vehicle, which leads to excessive pressure on the tyres;
- use of cheap, low-quality tyres;
- driving over potholes, potholes and other uneven road surfaces, which can damage the tyres.
It is important to regularly inspect your tyres and other components of your vehicle that may affect tyre wear. If you notice any problems, contact a qualified car mechanic to have them fixed. Regular maintenance and inspection of your vehicle is crucial to prevent problems with tyres and other components.
Following the tyre operation and maintenance recommendations will help you to extend the service life of your tyres and improve the safety of driving both personal and company vehicles.
