Merityre Article Archive

Driving carefully by not over accelerating, braking hard and sharp corning is the best way to extend the life of your car tyres. This article has five other tips to keep your car tyres in good condition:

1. Correct Tyre Pressure

Regularly check your car tyres are not under or over inflated.

Under inflation causes greater flexing of the rubber, increasing the operating temperature and reducing the tyre’s lifespan.  The wear on the edge or shoulder of the tyre is increased and damage can be caused to the vehicle’s suspension when driving over a pothole.

Under inflation also results in poor fuel economy. Increased rolling resistance makes a car engine work harder and uses more fuel.

Over inflation is equally bad by increasing the wear in the centre of a car tyre’s tread; an area important for protecting the tyre against impact damage.

To find the recommended tyre pressure check the owner’s manual or look for a plaque on the inside of the fuel flap.

2. Balance and Alignment

Whenever your car tyres are repaired or replaced make sure they are correctly balanced when remounted on your car. If not this will cause vibrations, increasing tyre wear, damaging suspension and leading to driver fatigue.

Correct alignment is necessary to have the steering, suspension, wheel components and car tyres all working in harmony to achieve the optimum performance from your vehicle.

It doesn’t cost much for your local garage or car tyre specialist to check the vehicle’s balance or alignment.  Without it the resulting cost of repair will be far greater.

3. Inspection

A visual inspection once a month does not take long and is important to maintain your car tyres in a safe condition.

Check the tread depth. Most tyres have a tread wear indicator built into them. Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm.  When the height of the tread wears down to the height of this bar it is time to replace your car tyres.

Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking. If found change the tyre as soon as possible as cracking can cause a blow-out.

Remove any stones and other objects stuck in a car tyre’s tread. If a nail is found embedded in the rubber, do not remove as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.

4. Repairs

Don’t risk driving on a car tyre that is losing pressure. Take it to a specialist who will give the tyre a complete inspection and make the decision whether it can be repaired or replaced.

Driving on a flat tyre for even a short distance will damage it beyond repair.

Never try repairing a car tyre yourself. This should be handled by a trained professional.

5. Tyre Rotation

The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed on all of the car tyres. By regularly rotating the tyres their lifespan is extended and uneven car tyre wear is avoided.

Visit a car tyre specialist for further advice and to check the condition of your current car tyres.

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You don’t have to be an automotive expert to spot potential problems when buying a new car. Here are five visual checks that will help you make the decision whether to buy a second hand car.

1) Car Tyres

Ask when owner last fitted new car tyres. Check the tread depth. If it’s below 3mm the car tyres will soon need to be replaced. The legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm.

Look for uneven wear. This may indicate a problem with the car’s steering, suspension or brakes.

Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage.

Inspect the car tyres’ sidewall rubber for signs of cracking. Crazing and cracking due to weather exposure usually becomes evident on car tyres that are more than five years old.

Don’t forget to check the spare tyre.

2) Vehicle Identity Number

The vehicle’s identity number (also known as the VIN number) is a 17-digit figure that can be found on the car’s engine, at the base of the windscreen or on the driver’s door. Check that it matches the number printed on the car’s registration document and logbook.

Don’t risk purchasing a car if the VIN numbers do not match or cannot be found in any of the specified locations.

3) Bodywork

Check the car’s paint finish and look for any signs of repair. It is easier to spot dents and imperfections by looking along the side of a car.

Compare the seams where the body panels join. Any differences may indicate the car has been repaired after an accident.

It is worth lifting the carpet in the boot to look for any evidence of hidden repairs and check the engine for any signs of welding.

4) Oil

Use the dipstick to check the vehicle’s oil. If the level is low this may indicate a leak or the engine may be burning oil. Have a look underneath the car for further signs of leakage.

The oil on the dipstick should look relatively clean and golden. Black and tar-like oil indicates it has been a while since it was last changed.

5) Mileage

‘Clocking’ is term applied to the illegal practice of winding back a car’s mileage counter.

Look for any evidence that the dashboard has been tampered with. Check the steering wheel and driving pedals for signs of wear and see if this tallies with the car’s mileage. A shiny, worn steering wheel is often a giveaway for a vehicle with low mileage.

If in doubt ask to see the MOT certificates as these will have the car’s mileage printed on them. If not available then there are companies who can provide this information, usually for a fee.

For further advice about car tyres, bodywork or checking the vehicle’s documentation consult a specialist or visit your local garage.

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Car tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. Keeping them in good condition is essential for safe driving and achieving the optimum performance of your car.

Here a ten car tyre tips:

1. Regularly check car tyre pressures. By spending an extra 5 minutes at the petrol station checking your car tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, fuel economy can be improved by 10%.

A car tyre that is inflated below its recommended pressure will wear faster because of its higher operating temperature and the extra flexing of the rubber. This causes deterioration of the tyre casing and rapid wear of the tread shoulders.

Over inflation can also increase wear due to the decreased size of the contact area between the car tyre and the road. It accelerates the wear in the centre of the tread, an area important for protecting the tyre against impact damage.

2. Always carry a spare. It is not a legal requirement but you’ll be thankful you have one when a tyre gets a puncture in a remote location. If using a compact spare tyre remember not to exceed 50 mph and replace it at the earliest opportunity.

3. Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking as this can cause a tyre blow-out.

4. Keep the tyre valves clean and always remember to replace the dust cap.

5. Avoid driving over of potholes in the road. The extra flexing of the rubber will hasten the tyres deterioration.

6. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in a car tyre’s tread. If you find a nail do not remove it as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.

7. Keep the car in a garage if possible.  Weather exposure causes crazing and cracking on the car tyres of vehicles kept outside.

8. Take care when using a pressure washer as it can cause damage to a tyre’s sidewall. Only use at a safe distance.

9. Try to replace all four tyres at the same time. If this is not possible replace either the two front or the two back tyres together. It will prevent uneven wear which can affect the vehicle’s handling.

10. Consult a car tyre specialist before replacing a tyre. They will advise on the right choice of tyre according to your car’s make, your budget and your driving circumstances.

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