Change is the only constant. Autumn turns to winter; day turns to night; and tyres wear out. Tread wear is normal, and it is natural for a tyre to shed its tread over time. But though you cannot hold back the winter or postpone the night, there are things that you can (and should) do to extend the life of your tyres.
Get Your Pressures Right
On most vehicles, you will find recommended tyre pressures on a metal plate on the spine of the door. Be sure to maintain these pressures. Even a new tyre will deflate a little every month so, to extend the life of your tyres, you will need to check pressures regularly. Incorrect pressures accelerate wear and, more than that, they can make steering difficult and negatively affect the fuel economy of your vehicle. So, whether it’s under or overinflation, find the problem early and fix it.
Find Some Shade
Like balding treads, cracks on the sidewalls of your tyres aren’t great. These usually form a result of the natural decay that comes with age. But this process can be accelerated and exacerbated by frequent exposure to heat and sun. (UV rays are not only harsh on humans!) As far as possible, then, store your vehicle in a garage. Or, at least park in the shade. In doing so, you may prolong the life of your tyres and do your wallet a service.
Adjust Your Driving
Fast driving may be fun, but fast steering, hard braking, aggressive acceleration and curb-hitting aren’t good for your tyres. The extra stress causes them to deteriorate at a faster pace.
So, to delay that inevitable tyre replacement, treat your tyres as gently as possible. Remember, they’ve got to face the ground, battle potholes and eat dirt. That’s trouble enough for them.
Don’t Overload
Overloading your vehicle also places stress on your tyres and other critical vehicle components. So, remember to refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to figure out the correct load limits and never fit your vehicle with tyres that have a lower load capacity than shown on the vehicle tyre placard (on the spine of the door).
“Read” Your Tyres
Drivers typically do not check tread wear until they begin experiencing problems, or the vehicle is pulling one way or another. By then, it is often too late to prevent premature wear.
So, to catch irregular wear trends before they’ve done their damage, try to inspect your tyres regularly. Examine them carefully or run your hand over the tread, feeling for abnormalities. Look for any distortion in the tread, any smoothening or unevenness. If corrected early enough, bad wear patterns can be countered, and the life of your tyres can be extended.
Additionally, regular inspections will unveil other safety-related damages such as cuts, cracks, blisters, penetrations, or bulges. Where the damage is severe, the tyre will obviously need to be replaced.
For any further tyre-related information, contact a Tyrezim representative to determine what is best for you and your tyres.
