Cars can be a drain on your finances but if you take care of them, they will take care of you. I bought my first car when I passed my test when I was 18 years old and have always made sure that I have kept on top of the servicing regimes, given my cars regular wash and polish to protect the paintwork and maintained the tyres to keep them in the best condition possible for as long as possible. Over the years I have picked up some great tips to keep my tyres better for longer.
Regularly Check Tyre Pressure
When a car tyre isn’t fully inflated or is overinflated, it can affect the performance and handling of the car. When tyres aren’t correctly inflated they may not steer, accelerate or brake efficiently. Once a month you need to check your tyres when they are cold before you drive.
If you’re not sure what your tyre pressure should be, just check the information plate which is usually situated inside the driver’s door.
Rotate Your Tyres
You can extend the life of your tyres as well as improve their performance by rotating your tyres every 10,000 miles or 6 months whichever comes sooner.
Check Wheel Alignment
To avoid uneven tread wearing on your tyres ask a garage to check your wheel alignment annually. All those pesky potholes, railway crossings and the odd curb knock here and there can really affect your wheel alignment which will make your tyres wear unevenly.
Inspect tyres for wear and tear
Once a month give your tyres a check over for anything lodged in the tread, cracks, bulges and punctures. The sooner you discover any discrepancies, the sooner you can get it fixed to prevent further damage.
Replace Tyres when necessary
By law, tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in a continuous band around central 3/4 of the tyre. If you’re not sure of this depth then one simple test you can do is to place a 1p coin into the groove with the Queen’s crown to the tyre. If you can see the top of the crown then your tyres need replacing. Get your tyres in Stirling on Fife Autocentre’s website.
Tyre Balancing
Every time you have your tyres changed, rotated or replaced ask for them to be balanced as poorly balanced tyres can lead to rapid and early tread wear.
Don’t forget the spare
Ensure that your spare wheel is stored safely away from grease or fuel which would deteriorate the tyre’s rubber. Do not store near a source of heat or water or where items can push into the rubber.
All of the tips above will take minimal time and cost but in the long run, can ensure your safety as well as save you big repair bills. Always take care of your tyres and drive safely.