24th June 2024
Whether you own an EV, hybrid, or petrol-powered vehicle, taking care of your tyres is essential. Well-maintained tyres will last longer and can improve your driving experience.
Neglecting tyre maintenance and care can compromise your safety and the safety of other road users. You may also be breaking the law if your tyres are badly worn and found to be unroadworthy. According to the DVLA, if the Police find you driving with illegal tyres, you could receive a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points on your driving licence for each illegal tyre.
Our informative guide covers the top tyre care and maintenance tips for your car.
Dirty tyres can affect your vehicle’s performance while concealing potential safety concerns.
Removing dirt, grease or oil from the surface, including the tyre valves and valve caps, is essential. Keeping an eye out for any stones or objects that become embedded in the tread of your tyres is crucial for reducing the chances of having a slow puncture. If you spot something on the tread of your tyres, remove the object or stone carefully.
Tyre damage can also occur on the sidewalls. These are the vertical sides of your tyres. The sidewalls endure most of the strains and stresses on the tyres. Protecting the sidewalls from potential tears, cuts, lumps and bulges is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your tyres. If you spot these signs, it can compromise your car’s safety.
In short, tyre tread relates to the grooves that run the length of your tyres. The treads channel water away from your tyres and the road surface while generating the grip required to drive safely.
The road-legal minimum tyre tread depth for cars and vans in the UK is 1.6mm. If the tyre tread is under the legal limit, you are putting yourself at risk of incurring a hefty fine and points on your licence. You would also fail an MOT with illegal tyres and may invalidate your car insurance. You will also endanger the safety of fellow road users if you drive with illegal tyres.
Over time, the tread depth of your tyres will reduce through natural tyre wear (even and uneven) and is something to look out for. You can measure the tyre tread depth using a depth gauge or placing a 20p coin at various points of the tyre. If you notice any banding on the coin’s edge, it’s likely the tread is under the legal limit. Contact your nearest Merityre branch and we can replace your tyres for you.
Having the correct tyre pressure is essential for the performance and condition of your tyres. You’ll find this information printed on the sill of the driver’s door, inside the fuel tank flap or in your owner’s manual.
Correctly inflated tyres will ensure the tyres are inflated correctly while maintaining even tyre wear. Most vehicles have a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard. The device can tell you if your tyres are over or under-inflated.
Over-inflated tyres can lead to the tyre edges being lifted off the tarmac. This leads to the tyre edges not connecting with the tyre’s contact patch, reducing the vehicle’s grip in all conditions. Under-inflated tyres result in too much contact with the road, particularly around the edges where the tyre wear will occur.
Under-inflated tyres have a larger surface area that is in contact with the road. This will cause friction, overheating and an increase in fuel consumption. This is prevalent in electric and hybrid vehicles due to the increased weight of the batteries. Having incorrect tyre pressure on your EV can increase tyre wear, thus reducing the battery’s range.
Keeping on top of your vehicle’s tyre pressure is crucial to your car performing at its best.
If you have noticed increased tyre wear and tear, it can reduce the grip your tyres can provide on the road. The tyre wear can occur evenly and unevenly. The latter scenario involves the tyres being incorrectly aligned, meaning the affected area can wear down quicker than the rest of the tyre. This results in an irregular tyre tread depth, thus affecting how the tyre channels water away from the tyre. If your vehicle has misaligned tyres, we recommend booking your free wheel alignment with us immediately.
Switching from summer to winter tyres is a precaution some UK drivers may do when the seasons change throughout the year. Specific tyre types perform well in varying conditions. The weather plays a factor in the tyre’s performance, alongside how the tyre is manufactured. Our tyre hotel services can ensure your tyres remain in optimum condition at an affordable price.
Like new shoes, when you fit a new set of tyres, they’ll require time to settle. The tyre is attached to an axle with nuts. How the tyre is fitted can impact your vehicle’s performance and driver safety. Retorquing your wheels is essential, especially when bedding in new tyres.
Evenly balanced tyres ensure even weight distribution across your vehicle. If your tyres are out of balance, they can vibrate while you drive. This leads to premature wear of your car’s suspension, steering components, and tyres. All these issues can reduce your vehicle’s performance, driving safety and experience. Our wheel balancing service can ensure your car’s tyres are balanced again while preventing potential vehicle damage from occurring.
Have you bought a new set of replacement tyres? Discover how much tread you can get on new tyres and how long they can last in our helpful guide. Get your new tyres fitted and replaced on your car or van at your local Merityre branch across South East England today.