The Sunday Mail
Check tread depth
ALL tyres, for a car or a bike, lose a certain amount of tread rubber after their daily usage. Over time, the tread wears down to the accepted minimum level. When you lose that much tread on your tyre, its grip and stability get compromised. This, in turn, paves the way for an increased braking distance; skidding of the vehicle upon sudden braking and more possibility of aquaplaning in wet conditions.
You must always ensure that your tyre is above the minimum level of tread depth, which is 1,6mm.
Here is an easy way to do that: Your tyres come installed with a tread wear indicator (TWI), a small rubber piece marking, within the grooves. After prolonged usage, the tyre tread reaches this TWI level. This is a definite sign that you need to replace the tyre. But if your tyre’s tread has not worn-out enough to reach the level of the indicator, you should be good to go.
Check sidewall
Just adjacent to the tread is the sidewall of a tyre. You will need to bend down to look for cuts and cracks on the sidewall.
In case the sidewall has suffered any such issues, you should be able to spot them easily. Feel the sidewall for any bulges. A bulge can be a sign of internal damage to the tyre.
Your vehicle runs over potholes or uneven surfaces regularly. This can lead to internal damage to your tyre. Driving with an outward bulge is always unsafe and may result in a tyre blowout. If your tyre has such a bulge, replace it immediately.
Similarly, large cracks and deep bruises also call for a tyre change. They may allow air pressure leakage, which will only increase with time. A thorough glance at the tyre after a long trip, or during a routine check, should be enough to identify any issue related to the sidewall.
Check for uneven wear
A tyre wears unevenly due to the following factors: Careless driving habits; problems with your vehicle’s suspension; wheel imbalance and poor maintenance of pressure levels.
Uneven tyre wear is a common issue and can often be overlooked.
Here is why you should not let it go unchecked: it leads to premature balding of the tread.
The easiest way to prevent this is to examine your tyres routinely. Check for wear pattern on the tread area of every tyre.
If you notice balanced wearing, your tyres are fine.
But if one side looks as if it is taking all the heat, compared to the other side of the tyre, watch out. The issue could be with the vehicle’s suspension or tyre imbalance.
Overinflated or underinflated tyres can also experience uneven wear. Remember to follow the recommended tyre pressure levels at all times. — Wires
