subject: 6 Important Hints For Care Of Your Tyres [print this page] That portion of your tyre which contacts the road at any given moment is approximately the same as the size of a post card. Your safety, your fuel consumption, your comfort and the life of your tyre is dependent upon this small area of rubber. In the face of this, numerous people do not take care of their tyres properly. Driving with defective tyres is illegal and dangerous. EACH defective tyre can cost you three penalty points. So here are the 6 key elements of good tyre care.
1. Tyre Tread
The minimum legal requirement is 1.6mm. You must always have at least 1.6mm of tread over 3/4 of the width of your tyre for the whole of the circumference. If this is not the case, then your tyres are illegal and need to be changed.Proper tyre tread increases grip in dry conditions and it disperses water in wet conditions. The more tread you have, the more water is dispersed, the more grip you have and therefore the safer you are.
2.Tyre Pressure.
Incorrect tyre pressures lead to irregular tyre wear. Tyres with incorrect pressures also makes your vehicle more unsafe to drive. Proper tyre pressure improves fuel consumption. Always check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. Check them at least once a month. Ther are a few places to find what the correct pressures are for your tyres:- On the inside of the flap for the filler cap. On the door frame or door of the vehicle. In the drivers manual.
3. Balanced Tyres.
Tyres which are correctly balanced will cut down on uneven wear and tyre vibration.. Your steering system, suspension and bearings will also profit from balanced wheels. Most garages will balance your wheels when fitting new tyres.
4. Wheel alignment.
Simply, wheel alignment is setting the wheels to travel in a straight line without pulling to one side. Wheels which are not exactly aligned will affect the vehicles steering, suspension, fuel consumption and handling. Once again irregular tyre wear is the result, as well as wear and tear on other parts of the vehicle.
5. Tyre Valves.
It is such a small thing but can have a massive effect on your tyres. Where valves are defective or where valve caps are missing, air can leak. It is also the main seal between the inside and outside of the tyre so it will keep out dirt and dust.As with other facets of good tyre care, defective valves will impinge on correct tyre pressure and thus have an effect on tyre wear, handling and fuel consumption.
6. Tyre Repairs
Always go to the experts when a tyre needs repaired or replaced. A complete and thorough inspection of both external and internal surfaces and structures involves the tyre to be removed from the wheel. A competent professional will check:-
