Whether you drive a car or ride a motorcycle, your tyres are the only part of your vehicle that are in contact with the road. Looking after them isn’t just important to the functioning of the vehicle, it can also help to keep you safe and accident-free.
You probably know that the legal requirement for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. But, it’s not just a case of checking your tyre tread depth every so often. There are various other signs that your tyre is bad, even if the tread is still above the legal requirement.
It’s important that you know what these are in order to keep you safe on the road and make sure you visit tyre installations Fairfield when you need new rubber.
Visible Damage
Most drivers will, at some point, bash a tyre against the curb. It can damage the tyre or simply throw the tracking out. While the tracking presents its own issues, a damaged tyre wall is much more likely to suffer a blowout.
You need to visually inspect your tyres at least once a week to ensure everything is okay on them. Any damage should be assessed by a specialist to see if it is safe to drive or not.
Noise Levels
Noisier tyres than usual can mean the tyre pressure is low. However, it can also mean there is something wrong with the tyre, such as it has been knocked and is warped.
Noise can also indicate a problem with your suspension or that the brakes are failing. In all cases, this can cause serious issues if the components or tyres fail. You should get it checked out as soon as possible.
Wobbling Or Vibrations
A wobble, especially at speed, tells you there is damage to your tyre and it may be dangerous to continue It could also be a suspension component. Whatever the cause it needs to be looked at before it fails.
Vibrations can often be connected with incorrect balance and/or tracking. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the tyres but the car may not handle correctly. In addition, bad alignment will cause uneven tyre wear, putting your safety at risk and making you go through tyres faster than usual.
Slipping
All tyres can slip on greasy roads but if you notice your tyres are slipping more than usual, especially on dry roads, then you have an issue. The most likely cause is low tread and you’ll need to replace the tyres straight away. Remember, it’s not just about the legal tread limit, a lack of tread means your vehicle loses grip and is more likely to slide and have an accident. It also increases the likelihood of your tyre bursting while driving.
If your tyre tread is fin you may need to have your tyres checked. They may be damaged or have been inadvertently coated with something that is reducing their grip. The tyre fitters can check and resolve the issue for you.
