Tyres are the most important thing on your car because they are the only connection to the road.
Most motorists don’t realise that tyres have to play several roles.
Apart from gripping the road and cutting through standing water, tyres also influence the braking power of your car.
Tyres also have to aid ride comfort by acting as a damper against undulations.
Here are five things you must not do to them!
1) FAILING TO CHECK PRESSURES
This is a common mistake by many car owners.
Sometimes we are just too busy and we forget.
One tip to remember is to check your pressures when you go and pump petrol.
Make sure the station isn’t too far from your home or office so that the tyres do not heat up too much.
Incorrect tyre pressures can cause a variety of problems, including increased or odd wear and higher fuel consumption.
2) USING DIFFERENT BRANDS ON YOUR CAR
Sadly, there are motorists who think that all tyres are the same.
This is false.
There are many types of tyres that are engineered for different purposes.
You cannot use one brand of high-performance tyre with another brand’s.
That’s like wearing a running shoe from a different brand on each foot!
The next time somebody tells you that “tyres are all the same”, tell them they should wear a running shoe on one foot and a high heel on the other!
3) NOT ROTATING YOUR TYRES
Some car owners are content to leave the maintenance of their vehicle to their mechanic or workshop.
You don’t have to have in-depth knowledge of your car to drive it.
But tyre rotation is basic knowledge for drivers.
This helps them wear evenly over the course of their service life.
This one’s crying out to be replaced.
4) NOT CHECKING FOR ODD WEAR, BULGES, ETC.
It is a good idea to give your vehicle a once-over once a week.
This lets you spot dents, scratches and other damage that you might normally miss.
This is not a good sign!
You should also have a look at your wheels and tyres.
If you see uneven wear patterns or bulging sidewalls, you will have to get a new set – stat!
5) DRIVING OVER KERBS, AND NOT SLOWING DOWN FOR POTHOLES AND BUMPS
Driving over kerbs not only damages the wheel/s and tyre/s.
It could damage your suspension, too.
If you’re a newbie driver, you may want to take a wider line (only if it is a one-way ramp) and do it slower.
We also see a lot of motorists who drive over potholes and speed bumps with reckless abandon.
Your car is not invincible. Its components will eventually succumb to wear and tear.
Treat your car a bit gentler and you could be saving on maintenance expenses.
Tyre rotation: Its importance and why front tyres wear out faster
