Driving confidently and safely.

Keeping your tyres in good condition is an important aspect of maintaining your car, and it is both illegal and dangerous to drive with non-roadworthy tyres. There are a number of things you need to consider with respect to tyre maintenance. This article takes a look at some tips to help motorists to drive confidently and safely.

1. Tyre pressure

Having properly inflated tyres protects against tyre damage and reduces the possibility that the car will spin out of control. Driving with low pressure tyres also increases fuel consumption. Insufficient air in a tyre shifts the weight to the edges of the tread causing shoulders to wear more than the centre. Too much inflation causes tyres to bulge out in the centre and wear unevenly. You should check your tyre pressure at least every month, more often if you drive long distances and always before setting out on any long journey. To find the correct tyre pressure for your car, check the manufacturer’s manual, the label on the door or inside the fuel flap. The recommended pressure is not written on the tyre itself

2. Tyre rotation

Tyres must frequently be moved from one position on the car to another to ensure even wear and tear. Front tyres carry more of the car's weight and tend to wear out at about twice the rate of rear tyres, so rotating the tyres can extend their life. Due to service conditions on the front and rear axle’s tyres can wear unevenly. By rotating tyres it is possible to retain a well-shaped profile. Car manufacturers differ in their recommendations, but most manufacturer’s recommend that tyres should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 kms.

3. Tyre tread depth

Tyre tread is essential because it helps remove water between the tyre and road, ensuring the car remains under control and preventing the risk of aquaplaning. Tyres wear out over time, and this can be accelerated by driving over uneven roads, the design of the tyre and hard driving and high speed driving practices

The tread depth measures the depth over the face of the tread that is in contact with the road. It’s easy to see if the tyre meets this by checking the tread wear indicator bars, placed at regular points across the tread – they will be level with the tread blocks when the minimum tread is reached.

4. Wheel alignment

Wheel alignment is the process of properly aligning the wheels and axles. It ensures that your car handles at its optimum level, increasing safety as well as protecting tyres against premature wear and saving fuel. Wheel balancing balances the wheel and tyres. It protects the bearings and suspension, prevents premature tyre wear and stops vibration. Out of balance wheels, and the vibration they cause, is typically most noticeable when driving at high speeds. One of the most frustrating experiences for a car owner is to have one or two tyres wear out before the others, whether on the front or rear of the vehicle. This unusual wear is most commonly caused by incorrect alignment.

Incorrect wheel alignment prevents the tyre from following the natural line of travel, creating side forces that ‘ wipe across’ the tread, causing uneven and rapid wear. Does your car pull to one side? Do you constantly have to adjust the steering wheel to keep your car travelling straight ahead? These and other problems can generally be corrected by a four – wheel alignment check.

Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation in your owner’s manual. As a general rule, your vehicle’s alignment should be checked every 20 000 kilometres or at least once a year.

You should have the alignment checked if you notice any of the following:

• a) Odd tyre wear, front or rear
• b) Steering wheel pulls to the left or right
• c) Feeling of looseness or wadding
• d) Steering wheel vibration or shimmy
• e) Steering wheel hard to turn.

5. Repair and replacement

If you are in any doubt as to the roadworthiness of your tyres, you should take them to a specialist to check. Specialists can check the internal condition of the tyre as well as the outside, comply with all proper procedures for disassembling, repairing and re-assembling, ensure compliance with all legal and manufacturers' requirements and ensure the tyre is re-fitted optimally.

However, there comes a time when tyres need to be replaced. This depends on various factors, including kilometres driven and driving style, but also climate and storage. It is essential to check your tyres on a regular basis and replace them when required, for example when they reach the minimum tread depth.

6. Fit new valves and caps with new tyres

One of the main components of the valves is rubber, which will, as in the case of tyres, deteriorate over a period of time. This is due to exposure to the sun, ozone, solvents etc. For added safety, you should always fit new valves whenever you change tyres. Remember, the main cause of sudden tyre failure is low inflation on tyres.

Valve caps are important items to keep dirt and moisture out of the valve and prevent air leaking from the valve if the valve core is faulty. You must urgently replace missing valve caps and wherever possible, use steel valve caps, not plastic.

7. Need for regular inspection

Tyre wear shows a great deal about the way a tyre is maintained and also showing possible mechanical problems with the car. Regular tyre inspection will save a great deal of trouble and money. Tyres react to abnormal conditions they are exposed to as you drive look out for impact, rim, shoulder and other tyre damages. Take a walk around your car frequently and have your tyres inspected by experts.

8. Drive sensibly

Harsh driving techniques do not only put drivers at the risk but also affect tyre wear just as they affect fuel consumption. You must drive sensibly and anticipate action on the road ahead, that way, accelerating and braking will be more gentle and comfortable. You must drive to arrive alive, no second chance.