To stop an average car from 40mph to a standstill in five seconds requires roughly 550kg of force – all of it eventually channelled through the car’s tyres. Multiply the speed and reduce the braking distance and soon you realise just how much stress tyres have to go through everyday.
This is why tyres make up one of the most important purchases drivers have to make. While buying the right set of rubber is very important, so is caring for them – something many of us forget to do. To help you get the best performance from your tyres, year in year out, Auto Express has compiled a list of tyre care tips and advice.
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Tyre pressure
Air pressure has a natural tendency to escape from all tyres – this is due to changes in ambient temperatures and the construction of the tyre itself. Incorrectly inflated tyres can cause premature wear and tear, bring down fuel economy and alter the car’s handling.
Keeping your tyres correctly inflated is one of the best things you can do to preserve their life and save on fuel. It’s advised to check tyre pressures every month and fill them to your manufacturers recommendations – this can usually be found in the driver’s manual.
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The best time to fill your tyres is right before going for a drive, this is when they are their coldest and the internal pressure the lowest. Filling your tyres after a long drive isn't such a good idea as driving generates heat in the surface of the tyre, increasing its internal pressure. To make up for the heat induced pressure, you'd need to add another four to five PSI to the manufacturer's recommended figures.
Front and rear tyres often come with different pressure requirements, so do double-check the required pressures.
Tyre speed rating
All tyres come with a speed rating printed on the sidewall. The rating is given by a set of numbers that indicates the load index (the maximum load a tyre can carry) and then a letter denoting the speed rating of each tyre.
A rating of 96V for example means a maximum load capacity of 710 kg on each tyre at a maximum speed of 149mph. The higher the numbers and the letter in the alphabet, the higher the speed and load rating of the tyre.
The other numbers found on the sidewalls of your tyres are indicators of its tread width, height of the tyre wall and the rim size.
For example a 165/65 R14 79T tyre would equal a 165 millimetre wide tread, with the height of the tyre wall equalling 65 per cent of the tyre width (i.e. more rubber between the rim and the road surface), that is of radial construction (R), and is housed around 14-inch rims. The load and speed rating equals 79T - or 437kg and 118 mph.
Tyre tread depth and wear
The minimum legal tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm. If you’re out of rulers, insert a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth and see if the outer edges of the rim cover the edge of the coin. If this is the case the tyre should still be legal.
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While each illegal tyre can carry a fine up to £2,500 and serve you three penalty points, tyres with low tread depth also disperse water less effectively and can decrease your braking distance.
It’s best to check your tyre surfaces for signs of cracks, wear and debris on a monthly basis to make sure they’re up to the task.
Alignment and balancing
Wheel alignment and tyre balancing is best left to the professionals with the right tools and expertise. When replacing a tyre it’s always advised to get them balanced and realigned – this will prevent premature and rapid wear as well as improve your handling.
Improper tyre balances or alignment can cause the car to shake at high speeds and upsets while cornering, too. If your car does this, a visit to the local garage or tyre shop is in order.
Storing tyres
If you decide to swap between winter and summer tyres, pay attention where you store your tyres. Even without use, tyres age and certain places can hasten this process.
Keeping your tyres stored in a well ventilated, dry and room-temperature area, away from sunlight and moisture will keep the rubber compound in good condition. Avoid stacking tyres on top of each other for long periods of time, and make sure the compound is kept away from chemicals and sharp objects.
Tyre products
Tyre shine not only adds a glossy effect to the sidewall, but also keeps the rubber supple and slows down the damaging effect of UV rays that cause cracking and premature failure.
Before applying a tyre sealant, make sure you know which sealants and chemicals your tyre manufacturer approves of. Auto Express has previously been contacted by readers who’ve applied the wrong chemicals to their tyres, causing cracks on the sidewalls.
It’s always best to contact your tyre manufacturer and asking them which products they would recommend.
Do you have any other tips for tyre care? Share them with us in the comments below…