Main image via KP Pigments
This is a safe space where you don’t have to lie or pretend, so a quick show of hands, how many of you think that by giving your tyres a squeeze and a kick or two that you’ve actually done a thorough check?
GIF via Gfycat
Well, guess what, you’re mistaken! In fact, that’s nowhere close to a thorough check. As we count down the days to the Hari Raya break, now’s a good time to educate yourself on how to check your tyres. Here are 5 things you should be focusing on….
#1 Pressure
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More is not better when it comes to tyre pressure. Neither is less. When it comes to tyre pressure, you want to make sure you follow the recommended pressure by your car manufacturer. Overinflated tyres can cause uneven wear or worst, a blowout, while underinflated tyres generate more heat and increase fuel consumption.
#2 Treads
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No, just looking at your tyres and thinking the treads still look fine isn’t the right way to do this. The proper way to do it is to grab a ruler and measure the depth of the tread. If your measurement reads 2mm or less then, it’s time to change those tyres to avoid your car from skidding when driving on wet roads.
Image via Carlist
Don’t have a ruler? Most tyres these days come with tread wear indicators. They are those little raised squares at the bottom of the grooves. Once the top of these raised squares are level with the surface of the tread, then it’s time to get a new set of tyres.
#3 Sidewalls
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When admiring your sweet, sweet chrome rims, take some time to look at the sidewalls of your tyres as well (you’re already looking at that general area anyway). If you see any cuts or bulging, then you’ll want to have those tyres changed.
A bulging tyre can cause a blowout, which will lead to loss of control of your car. We don’t have to tell you how unpleasant that situation would be, right?
#4 Wheel balance and alignment
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Ever dreamt of pulling off a stunt like the one you see above? The simple answer to that is, just don’t, it’s really not safe. You know what else isn’t safe? Not having your wheels balanced and aligned.
Wheel balancing ensures weight is distributed equally around the wheel and the tyres rotate evenly while alignment ensures the direction and angle of your wheels remain parallel to one another. Performing both ensures you tyre performs the way it should especially at highway speeds.
#5 Spare tyre and everything related to it
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After all that tedious checking of the tyres that you actually use, who has time for the spare that you may or may not use right? Well, you’re just inviting trouble if you continue with that mindset because you never know when a badly placed pothole can give you a flat tyre.
So, be sure to regularly check on your spare, have all the tools you need to change a tyre ready and in good condition, and save the number of your highway patrol in case of emergencies.
There! Now you’re ready to hit the road and drive off into the sunset! Unless, after performing all the above checks, you realise that you really should change your tyres.
If that’s the case, then you definitely want quality tyres from Michelin that will get you where you need to go safely and comfortably.
Head over to the nearest Michelin authorised dealer from 15th of May to 15th of June 2018, and redeem a free Michelin laptop bag with every purchase of four (4) 15-inch Michelin tyres or below, or two (2) 16-inch tyres and above.