Looking after your car can be expensive – especially when you have to replace the tyres – so it pays to look after them in order to save you money in the long run. It also makes for a better driving experience and can result in better fuel economy.
Here are some simple suggestions to make your car tyres last longer and maintain the quality and performance of your car.
Check your tyre pressure
Regularly checking the air pressure of your tyres decreases the chance of irregular wear and tear that can lead to a blowout. Making sure your tyres are inflated to the right pressure also improves the steering and braking performance of your car.
So, the next time you fill up your fuel tank, take the time to check the air pressure of your tyres and remember to do it on a regular basis. Oh, and don’t forget to check the spare tyre as well – because you never know when you’ll need it next.
Check your wheel balance
Does your steering wheel wobble at high speeds? If so, you may need to have your wheels balanced. Unbalanced wheels not only cause unwanted steering wobble, but can also affect suspension and brakes.
Wheels are balanced by attaching small weights to the rims of the wheel, and should be carried out every 6–12 months by a professional.
Wheel alignment
While you’re doing the balancing, you may as well have your wheel alignment checked. Poor wheel alignment leads to incorrect wear on tyres, meaning you’ll be replacing them more often. Money issues aside, and perhaps more importantly, it also causes steering problems and a more difficult driving experience.
Once again, this task is best performed every 6–12 months by a professional.
Tyre rotation
Your tyres wear at different rates depending on the position they’re in. So, to get the most out of them, it’s best to rotate your tyres regularly. It’s always recommended that you have this done professionally as part of your regular service, but if you want to try it for yourself, here’s how it’s done.
Images from www.bridgestone.com.au
Tightness of wheel nuts
If you do happen to do your own tyre rotation, make sure your wheel nuts are tight, so your wheels don’t wobble and, worse case scenario, fall off and fly past you whilst you’re driving (been there). Check the tightness of your wheel nuts on a regular basis.
Match your tyre types
Tyres with different tread patterns, made of different types of rubber or with slightly different dimensions can cause issues with automatic traction control, wheel alignment and the overall performance of your vehicle. So try to make sure the tyres on your car all match, i.e. that they are the same brand and model.
Check for nails
It may sound silly, but you’d be amazed at how often a nail or screw is responsible for a flat tyre. Whilst you would expect a nail to cause a puncture immediately, more often than not they cause slow leaks and you could be driving around with one in your tyre for quite a while. Every so often, conduct a visual check for nails in your tyres. If spotted early enough you can save a lot by only paying for a puncture repair instead of a new tyre.
So, keep an eye on your tyres and take care of them, because doing the little things will save you big time in the long run.
