Tyres are the only thing between you and the road, so it’s important yours are the best that they can be.
Replacing them when needed is vital, but costly. Here’s 5 ways you can make them last a little longer.
The next time you’re tempted to drive over a curb to get to the turning lane faster, DON’T! It’s a very a bad idea. Each time you hit the curb, you cause damage to your tyres and increase your chances of causing fractures to the tyre sidewalls. Avoid hitting curbs by being aware at all times and using your mirrors to park carefully.
Hitting speed bumps and potholes, driving too fast, braking too soon and driving on rough roads can have a damaging effect to both your tyre side wall and your tyre pressure. Whilst sometimes these hazards are unavoidable, do your best to look ahead and scope out any roadworks so you can plan an alternate route. If you must drive over a pothole or speedbump, slow down as much as possible beforehand to minimise your risk of damage.
Driving with the low pressure is one of the fastest ways wear out our tyres and use a lot more fuel! By checking your tyre pressure regularly [monthly] and check the pressure meets your specific vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. This information is usually printed on the vehicle door placard, or in your owner’s manual. Don’t over-inflate them either – as this can cause uneven wear on the tread and poor traction.
Whether or not you notice signs of wear and tear, your tyres should be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 km respective of your driving habits. This is because your front and rear tyres do different jobs, so rotating them is necessary to even out wear and tear and to maximise tyre life. Have them rotated with each service.
Similar to tyre rotation, your suspension alignment should be checked every 5,000 to 10,000 km. Proper alignment will ensure your tyres have the best possible contact with the road and won’t wander or pull to one side when steering. Once again, misalignment could lead to increased fuel consumption, uneven tyre wear and more dangerous consequences like difficulties maintaining control of the car. As best practice, schedule to have your tyres aligned every other oil change which is roughly every 6,000 km.