November 16th, 2024 by harlalka
In any case, tyre checks should be an important part of your regular routine of car maintenance because it can make sure you are driving safer on the road and your vehicle is using less fuel as well! In the long run, it can help you save both money and time too! A proper inspection becomes even more important before you hit the road for a long-distance trip. Preparation also becomes an important factor in such cases and an important part of that are seasonal considerations. For example, for summers you need to carry extra water in your emergency kit.
Checking tyre pressure
You need to check the air pressure of your tyres once every month and not every season! This is because if you maintain the right pressure levels in your tyre it will help you maximize its service life as well. You must also not waste money in filling them up with nitrogen as test reports by reputed entities have proven that the benefits are less practical than theoretical. This should not come as a surprise to you though as the air that surrounds us is 78% made up of nitrogen. Tyres lose pressure with time and if they are underinflated they can fail earlier.
This happens because underinflated tyres flex more than they should which builds up heat that leads to the premature failure.
Checking the tread
Just a coin should be enough for you to do this particular task. Use one and you should have a clear idea of whether your car tyres have sufficient tread depth or not. This way, you would also have a good idea of whether you should be concerned of any wear and tear over there or not. If you see the coins going in easily it is time you started looking for a new set of tyres while the existing ones still have some grip left in them.
Apart from this you can use a tyre tread gauge too – you should find it readily in an auto parts store!
Checking tyre sidewalls
Your car tyres can bulge or get cut when they come into contact with potholes, unfriendly objects on the road, and curbs. If you see any such damage in the tyres you must get them replaced straight away. Some retailers offer road-hazard warranties for free on their tyres and you can always look for them when you are shopping for tyres. This is especially so when your tyres have shorter sidewalls that are not as capable of absorbing significant impact. These warranties normally offer you a prorated replacement for tyres that have been damaged before the expiry of their conventional tread life.
The most important factor in such warranties is the amount of the tyre’s life that you have already used up.
Checking the age of the tyres
A tyre usually has a date code that states when it was manufactured. You can always look for DOT that precedes a few digits. It is located on the sidewall closer to the wheel. The last four numbers in this case will tell you the time the tyre was made. For example, if you see 5223 it means that the tyre was made during the 52nd week of 2023. Some carmakers recommend that you replace tyres after using them for six years even if they are yet to be worn out.
In fact, they insist that you change a car tyre a decade after its making irrespective of the extent of the wear and tear.
Inspecting the spare tyre
If you are carrying a spare tyre it is important that you inspect it before you embark on a long trip as well. These tyres tend to lose air with time much like the four tyres you are using right now. This is why, checking the pressure of such a tyre should be a routine task. After all, the last thing you want to see on a long road trip is to see that the spare is flat when you need it the most. If you are storing the spare inside, especially under the cargo floor, it will be in good condition.
That way, it will stay protected from environmental damage from sunlight, debris, and salt.
Apart from these, it also makes sense to carry an emergency kit with you on long road trips containing your phone charger, basic tools, tyre tools, flares and/or hazard triangles, reflective vests, flashlights, and a jump-starter or jumper cables. After all, you want such trips to be stress free, right?