Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s a great time to make sure your car’s tyres are in perfect shape for the holidays. If you’re planning on travelling far over the break – or even if you’ll be staying closer to home – it’s worthwhile checking that your tyres will go the distance.
The most important factor to inspect on car tyres is their level of wear and the depth of the tread. Modern tyres make it relatively easy to check this, as they include tread wear indicators (TWI), which are little pieces of metal embedded into the tyre. As the tyre wears down and loses rubber, the surface of the tyre will eventually be at the same level as the TWI, meaning that it is definitely time to replace the tyre. Many drivers will find that their car is not as responsive – or will even skid in certain conditions – when the tyres are worn down, so some may opt to replace the tyres well before this happens.
How a tyre is wearing can tell you a lot about your driving style and if the wheels are balanced. You may find that the tyres wear more on one side of the tread than the other, or even that the front and back tyres are wearing differently. This is why rotating the tyres – putting the front tyres on the back wheels and vice versa – is important, as it helps the tyres wear more evenly, which is important for safety.
If you do need to replace a tyre due to wear, it’s a very good idea to replace all four tyres at the same time, which will help to ensure that each tyre is in the same condition at the same time. You may also find that it’s cheaper in the long run to buy tyres as a set, rather than individually.
While you’re checking the tyre tread, also have a look at the sidewall of each tyre. Sidewalls can sustain damage just like the tread, and while punctures can usually be fixed if they occur on the tread, it’s not possible to repair tyres with damage on the sidewalls. If there are any large gashes or chunks missing in the sidewall, these may affect the safety of the tyre.
Tyre pressure is a relatively easy thing to check at most service stations. Always consult your vehicle’s manual or the placard in the door frame regarding the correct pressure. If your tyres are underinflated or overinflated, this can cause serious issues for safety, as well as make driving incredibly uncomfortable.
If you’re looking for new tyres, need to have them rotated or balanced, or want assistance on checking the tyre pressure and level of wear, then Jim’s Mobile Tyres can help you. We’re available 24/7 to make sure you have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
