Nobody likes spending more than they need to on their car. Finding a good tyre dealer such as Tyreland, who can offer quality tyres at the best prices, is a great way to reduce your operating costs as far as tyres are concerned – but your savings don’t stop there. Did you know that there are several ways to help make your tyres last longer? With these simple tips, you can stay safe and save money starting from today.
1. Check your tyre pressure regularly
Driving with your tyres at the correct pressure has many benefits. As well as ensuring that your tyres enjoy their maximum lifespan by reducing wear, you can also save money on fuel as properly inflated tyres will provide the best fuel economy. Over or under inflated tyres can also have a significant effect on your steering and braking, not to mention dramatically reducing the lifespan of the tyres.
As well as causing other problems, under-inflation is known to be one of the primary causes of tyre failure. This is because low pressure causes too much of the tyre’s surface area to touch the road, which increases friction. This, in turn, can cause the tires to overheat, leading to premature wear, tread separation and blowouts.
Making sure that your tyres are always inflated by your vehicle’s maker’s recommendations means you will be staying safer on the road.
2. Check your wheel alignment
The purpose of correct wheel alignment is to provide optimum vehicle handling and to maximise the life of the tyres. According to leading tyre manufacturer Michelin, “Wheel alignment can affect the amount of wear and tear that tyres endure. The normal alignment on most vehicles is designed to minimise wear and tear and maximise driver and passenger comfort. Correct four-wheel alignment will reduce wear on your tyres, help increase their life and performance, and improve fuel economy. It will also improve handling and driving safety by reducing steering and stability problems.”
Always be sure to have your wheel alignment checked and corrected if necessary when having new tyres fitted, and also if you notice any symptoms of poor alignment such as uneven wear on your tyres or a pull to one side when driving.
Bear in mind that misalignment can easily occur during normal day to day driving, for example by clipping a kerb or driving through a pothole. If at any time you suspect your alignment may be out, have it checked as soon as possible.
3. Keep away from kerbs
As mentioned in the previous section, clipping a kerb can put your wheels out of alignment and cause increased wear on your tyres. However, the dangers of letting your tyres come into contact with curbs don’t stop there. You may cause immediate damage to your tyres and increase your chances of creating fractures to the tyre sidewalls. Rubbing a tyre against a kerb can cause a weak patch to form, sometimes visible as an isolated bulge, which could become a sudden blowout when driving. If you have come into contact with a kerb when parking, examine your tyre carefully for damage or pop into your local tyre fitter to get it checked.
To avoid hitting curbs, take your time with manoeuvres, be spatially aware at all times and use your mirrors for parking carefully. Remember, your parking sensors may not always be able to detect kerbs.
4. Avoid road hazards
Hazard awareness is an essential element of safe driving – but did you realise that some often hidden dangers on the road might present a real risk to your tyres? The biggest culprit by far is potholes, which can easily cause punctures, misalignment or damage to the tyre walls. This risk increases substantially with speed.
If driving on roads with potholes, adjust your speed accordingly and try to avoid driving over them wherever it is safe to do so. Uneven, poorly surfaced roads are also bad news for tyres, and if you are driving in an area where resurfacing work is taking place, approach ramps with extreme care and take care to avoid raised ironworks. Ideally, find an alternative route if possible.
5. Drive Sensibly
Ultimately, the easiest way to stay safe on the road and also to keep your tyres going for as long as possible is to drive sensibly. Almost every driver likes to push their vehicle from time to time, however rapid acceleration, heavy braking and cornering at speed will dramatically reduce the working life of your tyres – not to mention put yourself and other road users in danger.
Driving at a reasonable speed for the road and weather conditions will also ensure that the previous two points are not a cause for concern – and save you money daily.
For all your tyre needs including fitting, alignment and other services, get in touch with the experts at Tyreland today. Call now on 01 860 20 20 to find your nearest location.