How To Look After Your Tyres

At any time of year your tyres are likely to suffer degradation so it’s important you protect them as best as possible by following a few simple, yet effective rules.

Tyres are one of those purchases that can often leave you scratching your head. So many choices, so many price points and inevitably so much confusion. So below we will steer you through the process of maintaining your current set and giving them a longer shelf life along with a few other pointers that will help keep you safe on the roads.

Looking after your tyres

If you look after your tyres correctly you will find that not only will you be saving money but also preventing potential accidents. In 2018 it was claimed that 20% of failed MOTs are due to poorly maintained tyres and that over 1000 accidents were happening each year due to the same reason. At Euphoria finance your safety is our priority so when buying a car from us you can be assured that you will hit the road with a fully safety compliant vehicle.

Check tyre pressure

Checking the tyre pressure is high on the list of factors that will help you get the most out of your tyres. Underinflation and overinflation can cause problems. If your tyres are underinflated, you will be using more fuel than necessary, losing grip on the outer edge of the tyre and finding yourself more likely to have an accident. If they are overinflated, the centre of the tyre wears faster, resulting in less grip and a heightened chance of failing an MOT due to the wear. You can check these yourself with a gauge or take it to a garage. Many cars have them built in but we would advise still going to a garage to monitor. Our used cars go through checks just as stringent as a new vehicle would, we won’t let anything leave until we are 100% happy that it has passed our inspections.

Helpful hints

• Check pressure when tyres are cold
• Ideally check once a month
• Always check before a long journey or when the car is carrying a heavier load than normal

Check your tread

A damaged tread can lead to accidents and by law, it is stated that you must have at least 1.6mm of tread on your tyre. It is recommended though that if you get to anything under 4mm you should consider changing them. During winter months however, 4mm is highly recommended as the minimum level of tread. In some European countries, it’s the law!

Helpful hints

• Look for visible tread wear bars
• Look for excessive wear on outside or centre of tyre
• Check for uneven wear

Keep your wheels aligned

When your wheels aren’t aligned correctly you can find your car behaving erratically; it may pull off to the left or right, you might hear a squeaking noise from the tyres, or the steering wheel won’t feel right. Wheels that aren’t aligned properly will cause extra tyre wear, extra fuel consumption and potentially accidents due to the lack of grip. By having your wheels aligned, you not only preserve your tyres but you also save money on fuel.

Helpful hint

• If you hit a pothole or speed bump a little too quickly, check for signs of wheels not being aligned correctly. You can ask for this at your local garage.

Not overloading your car

This may sound like an obvious one, but it is one of the most common causes of tyre wear. By loading your vehicle with more than is necessary you increase the pressure put upon the tyre and lead it to have a weakened sidewall. This becomes even more prevalent when tyre pressure isn’t correct. Combine the increased weight with the wrong level of tyre pressure and you dramatically increase the wear. Vans are very susceptible to this due to the nature of their use, so if you are a van driver often carrying heavy loads, make this check more frequent.

Helpful hints

• Looking on the sidewall of the tyre you will see the load index. You can view a chart here to show you the weight these tyres can support.
• The load value is only correct when your tyres are at the correct pressure.
• You should always consult manufacturers’ recommendations to ensure you use a suitable tyre for your vehicle.

Use seasonal tyres

One of the best ways to preserve your tyres is to use tyres that are appropriate for the time of year. Whilst seasonal tires aren’t always practical, they will almost definitely give you an extended tyre life. Some garages may even offer you use of their tyre hotel (if they have one!). This switch allows you to use summer tyres during the warmer months and winter tyres during the colder ones. A benefit is that summer tyres can be used in both the wet and warm weather, however when the temperature drops to below 7°C they stiffen and become more likely to get damaged. Winter tyres on the other hand can handle the cold temperatures but struggle as it gets warmer. This is a great way to get the best out of your vehicle with the appropriate tyres at the right time of year. Especially if you are on a road trip in your new motorhome or campervan!

Helpful hint

• Find out if your local garage has a tyre hotel