5 tips for taking care of your tyres
Your tyres play a very important role in your safety while on the road, especially if you drive a lot. That is why it’s so important to maintain your tyres correctly. Here are our 5 top tips for maintaining your car’s tyres:
1. The average tyre should last for 50 000km. Ask a professional to point out the tread wear indicator on your tyres, and replace them when they reach this point. Never replace one tyre at a time, as this will affect your car’s handling – if you can’t afford to replace all four tyres, buy at least two new ones.
2. Resist the temptation to fix leaks with a temporary plug; rather have your tyre repaired at a professional dealer.
3. Rotate your wheels and check alignment after every 10,000km you drive. Also check your alignment every time you take a long trip.
4. Check your tyre pressure every time you fill up. Incorrect tyre pressure increases the wear and tear on your car, and makes it expensive to run because it ups your fuel consumption. Check your manual or the inside of the passenger door frame of the fuel filler flap for the correct tyre pressure.
5. Be sure to check your tyres for nails, tears or any damage that the road may have caused. If you see something that looks foreign on your tyre, take it to have it checked immediately.
Bridgestone says the most effective way to reduce tyre costs over the lifetime of a passenger car is to ensure that tyres are always correctly inflated to provide the most economical operation. Correct driving style also helps prolong tyre life, such as avoiding harsh braking, heavy cornering and sudden acceleration. If you take care of your tyres it can prolong the life up to 30%!