Summers are round the corner, and with them come a host of problems which are associated with the tyres of vehicles and cars. If you want to ensure your tyres are in top condition during the extreme heat of summers, certain checks and measures need to be in place. We bring to you 8 ways you can maintain tyres during the long hot summers:
Regularly check all four tyres at the same time for signs of obvious or unnatural wear and tear. Search for any visible signs such as deep cracks, exposed cables, cuts or uneven wear of the tyres. It is mandatory to regularly check the tread depth at several points on the tyre and consult a specialist, in case of any doubt. The minimum legal tread depth required is 1.6mm for passenger car tyres.
Check the pressure of tyres at least once a month. Poorly inflated tyres affect the overall performance of the vehicle, including braking distance, handling, safety and fuel consumption. Always check the pressure when the tyres are "cold", meaning the car hasn't been driven for at least 2 hours or for not more than 3 km, in order to obtain the most precise measurement. If the pressure is checked when the tyres are "warm", then 0.3 bar should be added to the recommended level.
Yusuf Kiyengo, service supervisor and tyre consultant at Michelin Central Motors and Equipment in Musaffah Industrial Area, said the maximum recommended usage of tyres is 50,000 km.The main thing to do is to replace tyres regulaly, and without fail. these will make sure the tyres are handy and fresh!
Have the alignment of tyres checked by a professional. Whenever the vehicles drives over a large object on the road or hits a pothole or pavement, the wheels could become misaligned. This can affect the handling of the vehicle and will cause the tyres to wear unevenly and prematurely.
Take the car to a reputable tyre dealer for examination in case of a flat tyre. The car dealer will be able to advise in case there is any damage to the tyre's structure and if it is repairable or not.
Rotate the tyres in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. By switching tyres front to rear (usually around 5,000 km), wear is optimized over the four tyres.
Keep an eye on the suspension. Old or worn shock absorbers can cause faster tyre wear and impact vehicle handling. Hence, it is important to keep a watchful eye on the suspension.
Balance is the key in life. Make sure the tyres are properly balanced. Have them professionally balanced at a reputable dealer. It will help to avoid uneven and premature wear of the tyres as well as reduce excessive stress on the suspension components.
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