You may be pumped for summer, but are your tyres? As summer is here, many of you must be excited about road trips, vacations, and leisurely drives.
If you’re planning your next adventure, don’t forget about the one thing that keeps your vehicle moving smoothly: your tyres. This often-overlooked aspect of your car’s performance is crucial for your safety and comfort on the road.
With the heat and extra mileage that comes with summer, you should give your tyres the attention they deserve. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share some easy-peasy and valuable tyre maintenance tips in the summer so you can drive safely.
Beat the Heat
Heat is a tyre’s worst enemy. The hotter it gets, the more likely the failure is to occur. Extreme heat accelerates the deterioration of tire rubber. It also leads to an increase in air pressure within the tires. The situation can become dangerous when these factors combine on a hot summer highway. .
If your truck lacks tire pressure monitoring technology, regular use of a reliable tire gauge will result in long-term savings. It is advised to regularly assess your tires while they are cold to ensure that the air pressure remains within the PSI range recommended by the manufacturer.
Rotate Your Tyres
Tyre rotation is vital for promoting even tread wear, which can significantly extend the life of your tyres. It’s recommended to rotate your tyres every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Regular rotation can help balance wear and tear, leading to a smoother and safer ride.
For example:
- Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles: The front tyres endure more stress due to the engine and transmission weights. Therefore, the front tyres tend to wear out faster and should be rotated with the rear ones regularly.
- All-Wheel Drive Vehicles: These vehicles require frequent rotation because all tyres wear evenly.
Keep an Eye on Tyre Tread
Treading on your tyres is essential for maintaining traction, especially in wet conditions. The penny test is a simple yet effective method to check your tyre’s tread. If you can see the top of the head on the coin, your tyre tread is dangerously low, and it’s time to replace your tyres.
Consider these points:
- Tyre tread depth should be 1.6mm or more for safe driving.
- Tread wear indicators (raised sections at the bottom of the tread grooves) are also useful for checking the tread depth.
Inspect Tyres for Damage
Regularly inspecting your tyres can help identify potential problems such as cuts, cracks, punctures, or bulges. Any visible damage should be addressed immediately, as it can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle.
Some common examples of tyre damage include:
- Sidewall Bulges: These could indicate a weak spot that could lead to a blowout.
- Deep Cuts or Cracks can penetrate the tyre, leading to air leaks or complete tyre failure.
- Punctures: Although small punctures can be repaired, larger ones require tyre replacement.
Consider Summer Tyres
Investing in summer tyres in a region with hot summers can be worth investing in. These are specially designed to provide optimal performance in hot weather conditions. They offer better grip and handling on both dry and wet roads due to their unique tread pattern and rubber compounds.
Key benefits of summer tyres include:
- Improved braking performance.
- Enhanced cornering grip.
- Better fuel efficiency.
Avoid Overloading Your Vehicle
Overloading your vehicle puts additional pressure on your tyres, leading to wear faster and potentially causing tyre failure. Always adhere to your vehicle’s recommended load capacity.
Points to Ponder:
- Check your vehicle’s manual for the maximum load capacity.
- Overloading not only strains your tyres but also affects braking and steering control.
Align Your Wheels
Misaligned wheels can cause your tyres to wear unevenly and prematurely. Regular wheel alignment checks are necessary to avoid this issue.
Wheel alignment entails:
- Camber Alignment: This is the inward or outward tilt of the tyre. Incorrect camber can cause wear on one edge of the tyre.
- Toe Alignment: This is the extent to which tyres turn inward or outward. Improper toe alignment can cause rapid wear.
These tyre maintenance tips will ensure your vehicle’s safety and performance throughout the summer. Regular maintenance not only prolongs the lifespan of your tyres but also improves your driving experience. So, before you hit the road this summer, ensure your tyres are ready to roll!