Tyre Care
Maintaining Correct Tyre Pressure
The volume of air pressure inside the tyre can be a make or break element with respect to the life and safety of a tyre. Right tyre pressure translates into better fuel mileage, optimal braking and handling performance, and longer tyre life. Measured in pound per square inch (PSI), it is the volume of air that goes inside the inner lining of the tyre.
Every vehicle manufacturer recommends the correct tyre pressure for its tyres. Following which, the vehicle enables better stability and grip over the surface. The tyre pressure should be examined at least every fortnight, or before and after any long trip
Maintaining Correct Tyre Pressure
To ensure prolonged tyre and tread life it is best to keep them in use more often. Tyres age faster when not used and age gradually when they are put to task. The featuring of anti-oxidising chemicals in the compound arrests tyre wear, however occasional use, storage under poor conditions and varying temperature speed up ageing process making tyres unusable. Its infrequent use result in less wear and tear of the tread however may put handling and performance of the vehicle at risk despite sufficient tread.
Identifying tyre ageing is easy, and its accelerated wear can be kept in check with the inspection at frequent intervals. Some of the visible symptoms of tyre ageing include cracks on the sidewall, deep cuts/slits on the tread area, and even minimal tread depth.
Wheel Alignment:
Irregular tyre wear and unsteady handling can be due to incorrect wheel or tyre alignment, which may also put a question mark on the safety of your vehicle. Alignment of the wheel can go unstable if driven over a kerb, abruptly run over a pothole or due to excessive driving under bumpy and off-road conditions.
Wheel alignment is all about setting the tyres in the right direction and at an angle as recommended by the vehicle’s user manual. This ensures improved performance and pliant ride quality alongside helps in extracting the maximum from the tyres. The alignment of wheel revolves more or less around the aspects like the toe-in, toe-out, positive camber or negative camber.
The amount by which the front of the tyres is closer or distant against the rear of the tyres is known as ‘toe’. The toe setting for each vehicle differs from another and is specified by the vehicle manufacturer in its manual booklet.
Further, the inward or outward lean of a tyre is referred to as the ‘camber’. Just like the toe setting, even camber is defined by the vehicle manufacturer. It can get misaligned due to unexpected potholes, drive over pavements, etc. and requires periodic adjustments.
Improper camber setting can lead to unusual and rapid wear of vehicle tyres, wherein premature wear can be witnessed on the inside or outside of the tyre shoulder.
Tyre Rotation
Tyre rotation is a vital exercise and should be performed periodically to extend tyre life and get better performance from your vehicle. Recommended by every tyre maker, it induces interchanging of the tyre position from one wheel axle to another. This prevents premature and the abnormal wearing of the tyres encouraging longer tread life and better fuel mileage.