Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle in direct contact with the road, so it is not surprising that things can go wrong with your tyres from time to time. But with a little forethought and planning you can keep your tyres in great condition for longer – and that starts with knowing what the most common tyre problems are:
Worn Tyres
Tyres do wear over time and use, no matter how careful a driver you are and this can result in your tyres wearing unevenly. This problem can be remedied with periodic rotation (moving the front tyres to the back, and the left tyres to the right, and vice versa) to keep the wear even. Of course, eventually your tyres will become too worn down and the tread depth will be too small. It should be at least 1.6mm over at least the middle three-quarters of the contact area for legal compliance, and most mechanics recommend using 3mm as a safer measure. Once your tyres have worn below this point, it is time for replacements. Dartford Tyres offer high quality cheap tyres. Get your hands on these affordable tyres today!
Inflationary Issues
The inflation of old-fashioned car tyres was almost a matter of the driver’s choice, with many drivers adjusting their tyres according to the roads they were using most often. But modern roads are vastly improved from those days, and modern tyres are now manufactured in such a way that they work infinitely better when they are inflated to within the relatively narrow range recommended by the manufacturers. This is so much the case that correct tyre inflation has now become part of the MOT test, so keep an eye on your tyres’ inflation, and if they begin to lose pressure too quickly, consider replacing your tyres with a new set.
Misaligned Tyres
Poorly fitted tyres can not only wear out the tyres so much quicker, but they can also have an impact on other parts of the vehicle too: the wheels, axles and suspension can all be affected by poorly aligned tyres. When your tyres are properly aligned, they will all pull in exactly the same direction, working together rather than against one another.
Damage Control
Tyres can be damaged in a number of ways: from accidents, even relatively minor fender-benders, to bumpy or pot-holed roads, even to having a child kick a football into the tyre at precisely the wrong angle. Because you will not always be aware that the damage has been sustained, you should get into the habit of checking your tyres regularly, looking for anything that indicates the tyre has been damaged. These signs can be subtle: a dark spot could indicate a puncture, a dimple or bump can show where an internal weakness is forming and any distortion in the sidewall is never a good sign. Should you see anything that concerns you, consult your local garage immediately.