5 tips to give your car tyres a longer life

 

Listening to the thrum of your car’s engine or that beautiful exhaust note  of your bike are some of the thrills every driver or rider experiences. Off-roading, wading into slush pits and hitting the road less travelled are all high priority on your adventure list, but it’s your vehicle’s tyres which need to be firm enough to carry you through your excursions.

 

It is time you paid attention to their health as well and in the long run enjoy benefits of travelling and keeping your vehicle also in top condition. Plus you know how much it costs to replace a set of car tyres, be mindful of your car’s rubber parts and save money as well.

 

TIP 1

Feed your tyres enough air

 

 

Yes. Like your car needs petrol or diesel to take you from place A to B, the major work is done by the rubber tyres and if you keep them starved off air then all the rough patches, the pokey stones, the gravel on  the road, the potholes will shred them to pieces with each rotation of the wheel. Be sure to refer to your vehicle owner's manual for the recommended tyre pressure settings. Also keep in mind that spare tyre in the boot. Even overfilling the tyres can cause bad driving and them getting worn out faster.  It is essential for your vehicle’s handling and traction. Oh! And you know by keeping your car’s tyres well fed you can even get a fuel efficient run.

 

TIP 2

Check for wheel alignment

 

 

Another tyre car tip, when you visit the mechanic make sure to get your car wheels health checked. It includes checking the wheel alignment, the oil change, wheel balance etc. Misalignment can cause premature wear that reduces tyre life by 25 percent and even creates dangerous bald patches. If you feel any shimmy through the steering or notice the car doesn’t drive in a perfectly straight line when your hands are just resting on the wheel, get the car’s alignment checked. Though tyre vibration per se, does not indicate that the tyres need to be changed, it is best to investigate the matter and get it resolved.

 

TIP 3

Do the look and feel test

 

 

Give them a good look over. And it means bending and checking if the tyre treads have not accumulated pointy stones, nails, screws or glass shards. Even the smallest hole or tear can have prove disastrous when you are stepping on the gas on a straight highway doing speeds above 100kmph. You can also inspect the inner edge of the front tyres by turning the steering fully from one direction to the other. Make this a routine. Did you know? If your car has worn out treads, braking and stopping takes much more longer than anticipated.

 

TIP 4

Drive properly

 

 

If  you want your car tyres to live as long as 6 and 8 years it is essential you take care of your driving habits. Avoid heavy acceleration, harsh braking and burnouts. Not braking before steep bumpers, rolling over potholes at 60kmph and generally driving rashly can cost you your car’s health. The tyres sidewalls retain the maximum impact and as a result wear out faster.  

 

TIP 5

They need the shade

 

 

While it is not possible to always park your car in the shade, make an attempt to try to do so. No matter how expensive car or the wheels you have put on them they are prone to damage and that too from the sun. When you notice cracks within the tyre walls, it is not because of some nut or nail it is because the oils and chemical that keep the tyre intact wear out after prolonged exposure to the sun. If you ignore these cracks they might just rip out or cause a tyre burst while your vehicle is in speed.