Tyre care is part of basic car maintenance, and one that you definitely need to quickly become familiar with if it’s your first time owning a vehicle. These parts are far too often sadly overlooked, even though they play an incredibly vital role in the safety and performance of your ride. As the only point of contact between your car and the road, you need to keep your tyres in top condition, and here’s a beginner’s guide to help you out.
Regular pressure checks are the foundation of your tyres’ health.
Having underinflated tyres can end up costing you since this can lead to uneven wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and even blowouts. However, you can’t have overinflated tyres, either, since this can decrease traction and impact the smoothness of your ride. So, make sure that you check your tyre pressure at least once a month, and especially before going on any long trips. Most vehicles have a sticker that you can usually find inside your driver’s door or in the pages of your owner’s manual, and this sticker contains information on the recommended tyre pressure for your car. You should also purchase a reliable pressure gauge to help you take accurate measurements. Lastly, wait until your tyres have remained unused for several hours before doing your check.
Spot potential problems with regular visual inspections.
Regular inspections of your vehicle to immediately recognise possible problems should be a general rule. For example, check the depth of your tread often since an insufficient tread can reduce your traction in wet conditions. Then, take a good look at the sidewalls and search for any signs of damage such as cracks, cuts, punctures, or bulges, as these can weaken your tyres and cause blowouts. Next, you’re going to need to check your tyres for any indications of uneven wear patterns since these can be caused by suspension problems, alignment issues, or improper inflation. When you do see any evidence of uneven wear, make sure to get a professional to do a full inspection so you’ll know the true extent of the damage.
Rotate your tyres at set intervals to promote even wear.
Tyres tend to wear out at different rates depending on where they are positioned on your vehicle, so rotating them from time to time can go a long way to ensuring that they will wear evenly and thus extend their lifespan. Check your owner’s manual for its recommendation on your tyre’s rotation intervals, which is usually after a set number of kilometres. Then, go to a reputable service centre that offers rotation services so you can be sure it will be done properly.
Know when to call the professionals.
You can do a lot of your car’s upkeep if you’re conscientious enough, but as a first-time owner, you need to recognise when an issue requires professional service. For instance, if you start to notice that your car seems to be pulling to one side while you’re driving or the steering wheel feels like it’s vibrating, then get your alignment checked and corrected by service personnel who specialise in alignment work. Wheel balancing and puncture repairs are other issues that require professional services to make sure that your car maintains optimal performance and safety.
If you’re shopping around for tyres, contact the top Gold Coast tyre and auto provider today so we can help you ensure the smooth ride of your first car.
