Tyre Care and Maintenance

Tyre maintenance is vital for ensuring road safety and extending tyre life. As the vehicle's sole point of contact with the road, tyre condition directly impacts braking distances, handling stability, and fuel economy. Effective routine care primarily revolves around proper checks, adjustments, and driving habits.

Tyre Pressure Management: The Top Priority

Tyre pressure is critical to tyre longevity and safety. Under-inflation leads to uneven shoulder wear, increased rolling resistance, higher fuel consumption, and potential tyre blowouts due to excessive sidewall flexing and heat build-up. Conversely, over-inflation causes premature centre tread wear and heightens vulnerability to impact damage from road hazards.

Key guidelines include:

• Inspection frequency: Check tyre pressures at least once a month (including the spare tyre) when the tyres are cold, and always perform a thorough check prior to long-distance journeys.

• Recommended tyre pressure: Always refer to the manufacturer's recommended cold tyre inflation pressure, typically found on the driver's door pillar placard or in the owner's manual.

Periodic Inspection: Spotting Visible Hazards

Routine visual checks help identify and resolve potential safety risks early:

• Visual checks: Inspect the tread and sidewalls for cracks, cuts, bulges, or embedded nails. A bulge indicates internal structural damage, requiring immediate tyre replacement.

• Tread depth: Tyres feature built-in tread wear indicators (TWI) (1.6 mm in height) set within the main grooves. Once the tread is flush with these markers, wet grip and water dispersal are severely compromised, and the tyre must be replaced. Under normal driving conditions, tyres should be thoroughly inspected after 5 to 6 years or once mileage reaches 60,000 to 80,000 km.

• Removing foreign objects: Regularly clear trapped stones, metal debris, and other foreign particles from the tread grooves to prevent punctures.

Tyre Rotation and Wheel Alignment

• Tyre rotation: To promote even tread wear across the front and rear axles and maximise tyre lifespan, tyre rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 10,000 km.

• Wheel alignment: If you notice a misaligned steering wheel, the vehicle pulling to one side, or uneven tyre wear (camber/toe wear), have the wheel alignment inspected and adjusted promptly. This is a corrective repair measure rather than a routine scheduled maintenance item.

Everyday Driving Tips and Best Practices

Sensible driving habits play a major role in protecting your tyres:

• Avoid harsh road impacts: Slow down when driving over speed bumps, potholes, or kerbs. High-speed impacts can snap the internal carcass cords, causing sidewall bulges or blowouts.

• Prevent chemical degradation: Tyre compound degrades when exposed to grease, petrol, and harsh acid-based cleaners. Clean tyres with dedicated car care products, and avoid applying tyre dressing directly to the contact tread to prevent accelerated ageing.

• Wheel balancing: Whenever you repair a puncture, fit new tyres, or change rims, a wheel balancing service must be performed to prevent steering wheel vibration at cruising speeds.

In summary, proper tyre care centres on regular inspections and sensible daily usage. When specialised services are required—such as puncture repairs, tyre rotation, or wheel alignment—it is best to visit an authorised service centre or a reputable tyre specialist shop.