When it comes to car safety, tyres are often overlooked or neglected. However, the only thing that is keeping your vehicle on the road and you safe is the four very small rubber contact areas that your tyres exert onto the tar at any given time.
“Tyres are your only point of contact with the road surface, so you cannot afford to neglect them,” says Mark Perbaums, Marketing Manager at Michelin Tyre Company S.A.
It is therefore concerning that a large percentage of vehicles on our roads have dangerously underinflated tyres. This cannot always be determined by simply looking at your tyres therefore it is advisable to take your vehicle to a garage (tyre dealership) to have them checked.
If you drive around on under or over inflated tyres, your vehicle’s handling will be seriously affected – in most cases the vehicle will become unstable. The wrong tyre pressure can also increase tyre wear, significantly shortening its lifespan and increasing the chances of the tyre failing whilst you are driving.
A great tip to keep in mind is that it is more accurate to test tyre pressure when your tyres are cold. Don’t wait until the end of the day or when you have been driving a lot.
Check your tyres at least once a month. A tyre’s performance is compromised, particularly in wet conditions, and deteriorates dramatically once it gets below 2mm. If your tread depth is below this level it is wise to start looking into buying new tyres.
Reasons to Check your Tyres:
1. You are not insured when driving on tyres that are below 2mm tread depth.
2. Worn tyres significantly affect the performance of your car – low tread depths reduce the effectiveness of braking, steering, and acceleration, all of which are vital when it comes to road safety.
What Should you Check?
1. The overall condition of your tyres, including inner and outer sidewalls.
2. Tread depth.
3. Tyre pressure of all your tyres.
4. Signs of irregular wear.
5. The condition of the spare tyre.
Even if you never use your spare tyre it is still vital that you check that it is in good condition. Check the pressure and the overall condition at least every 6 months.
Don’t just check your tyres, make sure that your insurance is also up to date. Speak to Indwe today 0860 13 13 14.