Taking your family out and about creates many lifelong memories. Unfortunately, accidents can happen when you are in the car. As a responsible driver, you should make sure your car is in impeccable working order before you head off.
A key component of your car is the tyres. Here are some tips on how to keep your tyres running efficiently and how to choose the right ones when you are next in the market.
Understanding tyre specifications
If you have ever looked at your tyres you will have noticed that there are markings on the sides. These are codes for important information such as size, type and performance which you can check if you need replacements.
Typically, manufacturers will display this as a series of numbers and letters. The first set of numbers represents the width of the tyre which is then followed by a slash and the tyre’s height. Next come letters which indicate the type of tyres. The letter ‘R’ for example means they are radial tyres. The rim information comes next – this is essential for well-fitting tyres. The last section of numbers and letters refers to both the load index and the maximum speed rating.
The importance of tread depth and tyre condition
The minimum tyre depth in the UK is 1.6mm, but you should always aim for it to be deeper for safety. Having shallow tyres leads to a risk of hydroplaning in wet weather and reduced grip overall which can cause accidents.
If you have a 20p coin to hand you can check the depth easily. Just pop it into the main grooves and if you can see the main band then the tread may be too low. For ease, look at buying new car tyres online to save time.
Selecting tyres for different seasons
There are three main tyre types based on the seasons: summer, winter or all-season. Summer and winter tyres are designed to reflect the weather conditions that are typically found in those seasons. The cutoff for summer/winter tyres is around 7 degrees Celsius, but all-season tyres combine the two technologies and are suitable for all seasons. It is because of this that all-season tyres can be a bit pricier, but it does mean you don’t have to keep swapping tyres which adds up.
Maintaining tyre pressure for optimal performance
Alongside the tyre depth, the pressure should be checked regularly to improve safety and fuel efficiency. Your manufacturer should have specified what the optimal tyre pressure is, and that should always be your guide for checks. Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure. This is especially important before a long drive as too much pressure can cause a blowout and too little can damage the tyre and hubcaps.
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