Our tyre care tips

| Thursday 12th September 2019 4:18pm

Making sure that your tyres are in good condition is crucial in ensuring that your vehicle is safe and performs at its best. Not maintaining your tyres can not only impact on safety but also cause you to have to spend more money in the long run.

Signs of dangerous tyres:

There are many signs that your tyres are dangerous. Some of the key signs that you need to be aware of include:

Tyre condition

If your tyres aren’t in good condition, this will affect performance and safety. In addition, if you let your tyres become too dirty, any potential issues such as bulges or nicks will be more difficult to spot. For this reason, you should regularly remove grease, oil or dirt from the tyres, air valves and caps. Keep an eye out for objects in your tyres such as glass or stones. If you notice these, make sure that they are removed immediately as if they are left they can result in a puncture.

Tyre damage also occurs on the sidewall. The sidewall provides stability to your vehicle by absorbing shock while you’re driving. If you spot any damage to the sidewall, make sure to get it looked it and fixed as quickly as possible so that your vehicle is as safe as possible.

Tread depth

If your tyres don’t meet the minimum legal requirement of 1.6mm of tread depth, you can be fined up to £2,500 for each tyre. If your case goes to court, you could also receive there points on your licence per tyre.

Not only are tyres with not enough tread depth illegal, they are also unsafe. Tread depth is important for maintaining your grip on the road. If your treads are below the legal limit, it is important to get your tyres changed as soon as possible. The erosion of tread depth is unavoidable due to natural wear and tear so it is important to keep an eye on yours.

Storing tyres

If you switch between summer and winter tyres, make sure that you follow these tips so that your spare tyres remain in good condition for when you need to swap them over. Before storing the tyres, make sure that they are clean and dry. Place the tyres in a sealed bag with as little air as possible. The tyres should be stored out of sunlight and in a cool location. If it’s possible, you should store tyres vertically as this helps the tyre to keep its shape.

Balancing tyres

Having your tyres and wheels balanced is an important aspect of tyre maintenance. There are a few situations where you should consider balancing, these include if you hit a pothole or if you purchase a new set of tyres. Tyre imbalance can be a consequence of the general wear and tear of everyday driving. However, there are a few things you can do which increase your chances of causing an imbalance. For example, driving on uneven road surfaces at high speeds regularly could cause an imbalance. Some signs of imbalance include an increase in fuel consumption and vibration when travelling at high speeds.The wrong wheel balance can also cause wear to your steering components, rotating parts and tyres. This is detrimental to vehicle safety and performance.

Wheel alignment

Checking your alignment can extend the life of your tyres. If wheels are correctly aligned, this reduces the risk of uneven wear, steering and suspension issues. If you’re unsure whether your wheels are correctly aligned, you can book a free alignment check at your local Kwik Fit centre.

Choosing your tyres

Make sure that you choose the right tyres for yourvehicle and that you take good care of them. Regular visual inspections and checks will ensure that you can rely on your tyres to keep you safe on the roads. If you’re worried about your tyres or thinking about buying a new set, pop down to your local Kwik Fit and they will be happy to help.

Tags : Advice Tips Tyres

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