3 Tyre Safety Questions You Should Answer
Tyre integrity plays a major role in ensuring that you and other road users will be safe when you are driving. It is, therefore, necessary for you to conduct periodic tyre safety checks so that any anomalies can be fixed before problems arise. This article discusses some of the key questions that your tyre safety checks should answer.
Do you have the right tyres?
Each vehicle has a recommended size and type of tyres that it should have. Your first task during the tyre safety checks should be geared at establishing that your car has the correct set of tyres. Check the manual of the car and ascertain that all the tyres meet the specifications provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle. You should also confirm that the tyres on your vehicle are the appropriate ones for the season of the year. For instance, you should have installed winter tyres in case winter is approaching.
Are they properly inflated?
Some car owners make the mistake of thinking that the correct level to which the tyres should be inflated is found on the sidewall of those tyres. This thinking is inaccurate because the sidewall usually gives you a pressure range that the tyres can handle. The correct inflation information is found in the car manual. That information may also be available on the fuel door, glove compartment, inside the car door or on the frame of the driver's door. Confirm that the pressure in each tyre matches this specification. When the pressure is low or excess, the brakes cannot function as expected.
How old are the tyres?
When tyres age, they deteriorate and become weaker. Ensure you confirm the age of the tyres so that you can replace them when they have reached the end of their service life. Once more, check the manual and find out how many years you should wait before replacing the tyres on your car. Tyre manufacturers also stipulate how many years their tyres can be used before being replaced. Check the sidewall for the tyre identification number. The last four digits of that number usually mention the month and the year when that specific tyre was made. Replace any tyre that has existed for the maximum number of years recommended by the manufacturer even if it appears to be in good condition.
Some tyre safety issues, such as proper balancing, braking and alignment, may require you to involve a tyre expert. Design a schedule that allows those tyres to be checked thoroughly by a professional on a regular basis.
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