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Top 20 Tyre Care and Maintenance Tips

Car tyres play a significant role in optimizing car performance. They help to support weight of the car and also absorb road shocks in the form of bumps. It's the tyre that generates friction with the road and also attracts driver's attention towards the functioning of the car engine. If there is any hitch in the tyres then the engine starts giving various problems. This clearly states that a car drives in synchronization with the engine and the tyres. Therefore, it is very essential to take good care of the car tyres to optimize tyre life which in turn improves car's performance.

The key factors that influence tyre's life and performance are as follows:

Air Pressure: Pressure in the tyres leak naturally. It needs to be checked at regular intervals because when the pressure is low the car does not respond properly and enables the car to swerve on the road. This reduces fuel efficiency and performance and may cause an accident.

Tread Depth: Tyres wear out with time and even a single sign of tread wear can be dangerous. With inappropriate tread depth, car tyres may burst out or lead to hydroplaning on wet roads.

Car Weight: Overloading the car insert additional pressure on the tyres and may lead to overheating. Overheating is one of the main causes of tyre damage.

Speed: Every car tyre is designed to bear a specific speed limit. Driving over the permitted speed puts extra strain on the tyres. This again leads to overheating and may even cause a tyre burst.

Here are some of the experts’ tips to help you take good care and maintenance of your car tyres:

Car tyres should be replaced after every 10 years depending on the weather, road, and driving conditions. Tyres are composed of rubber compounds that contain an anti-oxidising chemical to slow down the natural ageing process of untreated rubber. Blocking the natural process of ageing increases the risk of failure. It can run well up to 8 to 10 years but after that it is essential to replace them.
Check your car tyres every morning. If you see any kind of swelling, breakage, or even a minor crack is exposed on the tyre surface, change it immediately.
When replacing the tyres, always use proper size wheel bolts. If the bolts are long or short it may increase the risk of wheel jumping out and even damage the suspension system.
In case of mounting the tyres make sure that it is mounted on rims with the correct width. Also ensure that the tyres and the tubes are of the same brand.
Tyre pressure should be periodically checked as it affects a number of parameters including tyre life, fuel-efficiency, highway safety, ride quality, and the reliability of the car.
All the tyres should be inflated with the correct air pressure as both under-inflation and over-inflation leads to premature tyre failure.

If the tyres are under-inflated it causes more tread wear on the outer edge of the tyre's surface. It may damage the suspension components and hamper the car's performance. It may also increase the rolling resistance which can cause a fatal car accident.
Over-inflation leads to higher wear and tear on the tyre's mid-line and may lead to poor handling.
If the tyres are under-inflated, then the car utilises more energy to drive thereby consuming more fuel.
If in case you find any kind of air leakage from the tyre, replace the valve core and the valve cap.
Check whether you wheels are balanced or not. An un-balanced wheel may cause the car to vibrate and this can turn out to be fatal.
If you find any kind of irregular wear and tear on any one of the four tyres, rotate them. Rotation is essential to achieve uniform wear on each tyre. Usually, tyre rotation is done after every 5000 km but in case of specific tyres the rotational period is mentioned in the car's owner manual.
If in case you have a car that is driven by a front wheel drive, then tyre rotation becomes even more important. This is because all the pressure from the brake, steering, and driving habit is laid on the front wheels of the car whereas the rear wheel takes over only the braking force. This results in poor handling and creates an imbalance.
Always maintain accurate alignment. This ensures better handling and smooth running of the car.
When any of the car tyres experience a puncture, get the tyre inspected by an expert. It may cause an internal damage that may hamper the tyre life and performance as well as the car's performance. It may even lead to a fatal accident.
When parking your car, make sure that you never park over patches of oil, solvents, or any other similar chemical substances as this may cause tyre damage.
Always comply with the load index of the car. Each car tyre has specific load capacity that it can sustain. So, be careful when dumping in luggage or squeezing more passengers in your car. If it exceeds the load index, it may cause the tyre to burst.
Driving on wet roads with worn out tyres is very dangerous. This is because water forms a film between the tyre and the surface of the road that lifts the tyre off the road. This in turn hampers the performance of the steering wheel and the brakes.
Driving style also affects the tyre's life and performance. Always drive at a constant pace with a perfect balance between acceleration and braking manoeuvres. Aggressive driving puts extra pressure on the tyre and may result in skidding.
Always keep your car tyres clean as dirt and grime on the surface can degrade them, resulting in poor performance and handling.

With regular care and maintenance of car tyres, you can also rejoice impressive fuel efficiency and a safe driving experience.