Taking care of your car is one of the best things you can do to make your life easier. Trust us when we say a well-maintained car can save you a whole lot of time, hassle, and money. A battered/ run-down box of bolts is bound to cost you a day or two of getting late to work and may take a couple of hundred pounds out of your bank account. Though taking care of your car, in general, is good practice, one of the first places you should start is the wheels.
The tyres are arguably one of the most important parts of the car and, unfortunately, one of the most overlooked. Not only do you need to keep a well-maintained set of tyres throughout the year, but you also need to see the warning signs about when change is due.
This article will equip you with the tips you need to maintain the wheels on your ride. Make sure you read until the end of the article to gain a holistic understanding of what you can do for the tyres. Meanwhile, if you need high-quality and reliable jacks, contact Pro Eagle Australia.
Know your Terrain
One of the best things you can do to maintain your tyres is not to put them under pressure they can’t handle. If you plan on running the car on a dirt road or doing a fair bit of off-roading, please don’t put your regular tyres to the test. Opt for an off-road set instead. There are many companies that are offering such tyres such as mudslingerz tyres. Buy them and put your vehicle to the test. A set of off-road tyres will give you the thrill, comfort, and security of taking your car off-road and ensuring it comes out in one piece.
Knowing the limits of a regular set is essential if you want to maintain the joints, shock absorbers, suspension, and the tyres themselves. If you plan a fun off-roading escapade, keep a jack and spanner on hand, take out 15 minutes and save yourself a couple of hundred pounds in the bargain.
Watch the Tread
Always remember to pay attention to the grip of the tyres. If you notice the brakes aren’t hitting as well as they used to, and the ride seems a little uncomfortable, you might want to take a look at the wheels.
Once the tyre begins to bald, not only does it affect the ride and fuel average, it could also affect the safety of the vehicle. If the treads aren’t there, the brakes will not do their job. Hit the brakes, and you can be sure that you will find yourself slipping and sliding across the road. Especially in winter, when the roads become slick, having a bald set of tyres is asking for trouble.
Monitor the Ball Joints
If you ever get the chance to jack the car up during a wash, wobble the wheels, and see if they move. If they stay, still there’s nothing to worry about; if they move and wobble, you may need to take a trip to the mechanic.
A wobbly joint means that the tyre is probably moving a few centimeters left and right rather than merely going straight. It may not seem like much, but this could wear the rubber down considerably faster.
Get the wheel joints looked at before things become worse. You may notice issues when you take sharp turns or when you slow the car down. Get it sorted out before it evolves into a bigger issue.
Rotate the Tyres
You should be rotating the tyres at least twice a year. Switching them around will almost always indicate a change in the car’s driving experience. It will also help you identify if there are issues on either side of the car. If an issue exists, it should be looked at immediately. Loose shocks, ball joints, and wobbly suspensions can cause one tyre to take more load than it needs to. If you notice a single tyre wearing out faster than others, it’s time to take a trip to the mechanic ASAP.
Let them Cool Down After a Long Drive
If you have been traveling on the highway for a few hours, please take a minute to tend to your tyres. If you find a gas station, park the car and let the tyres cool down.
After every few hours, you should cool them down to ensure that they aren’t going through too much stress. Sure, they can probably handle it, but there is no reason that you should expose them to constant stress for long periods. It also gives you a chance to take a breather from driving and perhaps catch a bite to eat or drink something. It’s always important to refresh yourself and stay sharp for the journey ahead. Losing focus is considerably worse than having mismanaged tyres.
Conclusion
There we have a lesson on tyres 101. We talked about several different ways you can take care of your tyres and ensure that your car is running smoothly from the ground up. From knowing your terrain to giving the wheels a break and several tips in between, we have covered several tips that we think you should consider.
Caring for your tyres is the first step in car maintenance. Once you know that the rubber is sorted, you can look at other important aspects of the vehicle, like the performance and response.
With that said, we come to the end of this article and hope that you have taken away something positive from this read. Drive safe and enjoy the experience.