Tyres play a crucial role in keeping the occupants safe yet they are the most ignored components in a car.
Tyres are one of the most ignored components on a car despite the fact that they play a key role in keeping the occupants safe and preventing accidents. Tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road. Therefore, any problem with tyres can send your safety for a toss. Second, tyres play an essential role in handling the vehicle as well as stopping it. Irrespective of the quality of your brakes, the impact will be minimized if the tyres are not efficient enough. This is because the brakes stops the metal wheels from spinning but they are responsible for bringing your car to a halt. In fact, a substantial number of accidents can be avoided simply by ensuring that your vehicle’s tyres are in good condition. Here are five simple steps to take care of your tyres.
STEP 1 Adequate air pressure
One of the best ways to ensure that your tyres deliver to the best of their potential is maintaining correct tyre pressure. Low air pressure will increase the contact patch (the area of the tyre that comes in contact with the tarmac at any given time). This increased contact patch not only reduces the fuel-economy but also reduces the longevity of the tyre but increasing the wear and tear. So, if you think that your tyre loses tread very easily, then do make it a point to check the air pressure. And if you over-inflate the tyres, then the contact patch gets reduced and fails to offer adequate grip and braking efficiency as very little part of the tyre is in contact with the ground.
STEP 2 Tread depth
Simply put, if your tyres do not have adequate tread depth then you are in for troubles like reduced braking efficiency and imprecise handling, especially over wet surfaces. Basically a tread pattern comprises grooves, sipes, ribs, etc. which together are responsible for dissipating water from underneath the tyre and ensure a proper contact between the car and the ground. When your car doesn’t have proper tread depth, then your vehicle is prone to skidding and losing control, especially at the time of braking. The recommended tread depth is 1.6 mm and anything less than that is risky.
STEP 3 Tyre alignment
Proper tyre alignment not only improves the vehicle’s handling but also enhances the tyre life as misalignment speeds up the tread-wear. It also leads to poor cornering and reduces car’s stability over wet surfaces. So, make it a point to get your tyres aligned during every regular vehicle service.
STEP 4 Wheel balancing
Wheel balancing takes away steering vibrations and improves handling. Properly balanced wheels are very important if you drive your car on the highways or at high speeds. Regular wheel balancing also reduces the wearing and tearing of the tyres, thereby increasing their longevity.
STEP 5 Tyre rotation
Ever noticed why the front tyres lose tread more easily as compared to the rear ones? Well, that’s because they are directly controlled by the steering. But by tyre rotation, you can ensure that your tyres wear out evenly and deliver best possible mileage so that you do not have to change rubber often. A simple way to rotate tyres is by fitting the front tyres to their respective side at the rear (shift front left tyre to rear left position) while the rear tyres should be interchanged when used at the front axle (rear left tyre to be fitted in the position of front right tyre). This process should be repeated after every 5,000 km for best results.
Tips on How To Take Of Your Car’s Tyres
Tyres play a crucial role in keeping the occupants safe yet they are the most ignored components in a car.
Tyres are one of the most ignored components on a car despite the fact that they play a key role in keeping the occupants safe and preventing accidents. Tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road. Therefore, any problem with tyres can send your safety for a toss. Second, tyres play an essential role in handling the vehicle as well as stopping it. Irrespective of the quality of your brakes, the impact will be minimized if the tyres are not efficient enough. This is because the brakes stops the metal wheels from spinning but they are responsible for bringing your car to a halt. In fact, a substantial number of accidents can be avoided simply by ensuring that your vehicle’s tyres are in good condition. Here are five simple steps to take care of your tyres.
STEP 1 Adequate air pressure
One of the best ways to ensure that your tyres deliver to the best of their potential is maintaining correct tyre pressure. Low air pressure will increase the contact patch (the area of the tyre that comes in contact with the tarmac at any given time). This increased contact patch not only reduces the fuel-economy but also reduces the longevity of the tyre but increasing the wear and tear. So, if you think that your tyre loses tread very easily, then do make it a point to check the air pressure. And if you over-inflate the tyres, then the contact patch gets reduced and fails to offer adequate grip and braking efficiency as very little part of the tyre is in contact with the ground.
STEP 2 Tread depth
Simply put, if your tyres do not have adequate tread depth then you are in for troubles like reduced braking efficiency and imprecise handling, especially over wet surfaces. Basically a tread pattern comprises grooves, sipes, ribs, etc. which together are responsible for dissipating water from underneath the tyre and ensure a proper contact between the car and the ground. When your car doesn’t have proper tread depth, then your vehicle is prone to skidding and losing control, especially at the time of braking. The recommended tread depth is 1.6 mm and anything less than that is risky.
STEP 3 Tyre alignment
Proper tyre alignment not only improves the vehicle’s handling but also enhances the tyre life as misalignment speeds up the tread-wear. It also leads to poor cornering and reduces car’s stability over wet surfaces. So, make it a point to get your tyres aligned during every regular vehicle service.
STEP 4 Wheel balancing
Wheel balancing takes away steering vibrations and improves handling. Properly balanced wheels are very important if you drive your car on the highways or at high speeds. Regular wheel balancing also reduces the wearing and tearing of the tyres, thereby increasing their longevity.
STEP 5 Tyre rotation
Ever noticed why the front tyres lose tread more easily as compared to the rear ones? Well, that’s because they are directly controlled by the steering. But by tyre rotation, you can ensure that your tyres wear out evenly and deliver best possible mileage so that you do not have to change rubber often. A simple way to rotate tyres is by fitting the front tyres to their respective side at the rear (shift front left tyre to rear left position) while the rear tyres should be interchanged when used at the front axle (rear left tyre to be fitted in the position of front right tyre). This process should be repeated after every 5,000 km for best results.