10 Maintenance Tips that will Increase the Life of your Tyres

Most of us feel that a car is well maintained as we relate the word maintenance with services like oil change, functioning of brakes, fuel efficiency, engine service etc. But what we ignore most are the tyres of the car. We at OLX Cash My Car know the importance of the tyres of a vehicle and believe that it is easy to forget them but it is most important to check them as they are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Thus, it is essentially important that you focus on the preservation of the quality and performance of your tyres to ensure your safety.

Following are few of the recommendations that are advised by OLX Cash My Car to increase the life of your tyres:

• Be smooth while you drive

Rough driving takes your car tyres for a toll which results in premature wear for them. It is important that whenever you spot any hazard on the road, control your speed before it is too late. An emergency brake may help you control your speed at any point but the rough braking directly hit the tyres. Hence, it is advised that you drive at a neutral speed which will prevent you from applying brakes frequently. 

• Tyre Inflation Pressure

Every vehicle has a recommended tyre inflation pressure which is found in vehicle placard or in owner’s manual. Maintaining this level is the best anyone can do for the durability of the tyres.  Under inflation may result in severe cracks. While over inflation increases stiffness and may lead to uncomfortable driving. Therefore, it is important to maintain the inflation pressure for best tyre performance.

• Aquaplaning or hydroplaning

Rainwater makes tyres more vulnerable to wear and tear. Anticipatory driving and good treads can reduce the risk of damage that can come with deep ruts. Best weapon against hydroplaning is new tyres. Also tread pattern that channels water out from between the tyre and the road is the most effective in this case.

• Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is a must after every 5000 kilometers or whenever there is lopsided wear on the tyre. It is an essential aspect of regular maintenance wherein the angles of the wheels are adjusted as stated by the vehicle manufacturer.

• Tyre Rotation

Tyre rotation is recommended after every 5000 kilometers so that all the tyres get equal chances of road exposure. Regular rotation ensures even wear for all the tyres.

• Handling and Storage

To store a tyre it is important to first clean the tyre and chose a position- lying or standing. Make sure that there is no sunlight or heat in the storage area. Also the place chosen for the storage should be cool and dry. Water is another enemy of tyres, thus make sure there is no water collected inside tyres. Also substances like grease and petroleum products should not be there in the storage area. All these factors are really important while you store your tyre.

• Do not spin your tyres excessively

Excessive spinning may cause over-heating and irrepairable damage. If any time your vehicle is stuck in snow, ice, mud or sand use a gentle forward and backward motion to free your vehicle and avoid excessive tyre spinning.

• Check for wear and damage

Experts suggest that the right time to discard a tyre is between 6-10 years, where 10 years is the extreme limit. The wear and tear depends on various factors such as driving style, kilometers for which the car is driven, weather conditions of the city it is in etc. The anti-oxidizing chemical fed in the tyres during their manufacturing deteriorates with time and leads to tyre malfunction. The tyre tread wear indicator for a four wheeler is placed within the 1.6 mm height. Beyond this limit they may prove dangerous. 

• Proper Repair

Whenever a tyre needs repairing it is important that it is done by a specialist in accordance with established Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) procedures. This is important because while mounting the tyre with wheel internal damage may take place. But a professional will always be cautious and do everything properly.

• Do not overload your vehicle

Overloading your vehicle may put stress on your tyres. This may result in poor handling, increased fuel consumption and may further cause tyre damage. Thus, it is important to check the load a tyre can handle in the company’s placard.

Tyre in a car is like limbs in a human being. Thus, it is really important to take care of your car tyres so that it can ensure your safety.