All tyres slowly deflate over a period of time,
therefore tyre pressures should be checked
every 2-3 weeks.
Tyre pressures should only be checked when
they are cold. Your vehicle's recommended tyre
pressures are located on a placard usually on
the inside edge of the driver's door.
Although the minimum amount of tread required
for a car to be roadworthy is 1.6 mm, it's wise
to replace tyres at 2 mm, as wet-weather grip is
diminished when there is only a small amount of
tread.
To check tread depth, put a match head into
the tread grooves, and if any part of the head
shows above the grooves it's time to replace
the tyre. Tread depth cards are also available
free from your local T-Mart.
Regularly check tyres for wear such as tears or
bruises on sidewalls as well as embedded
objects like nails or stones as they may lead to
a puncture.
To keep water and dirt out of tyre valves
replace missing tyre valve caps.
And most importantly with all these
checks...don't forget the spare!
Regular wheel balances ensure your tyres run
smoothly on the road which helps to improve
your vehicle's control, especially on wet roads.
Wheel alignments and rotations maximise the
life of your tyres by ensuring your tyres wear
evenly.
Match the same tyre treads on the same axle.
Different brands grip differently which can
cause handling problems if mismatched.
