Tyre maintenance – Caring for Your Tyres with Lions Mobile Tyres
Tyres undergo wear for various reasons beyond just age and usage. Factors like sudden braking, not maintaining the correct tyre pressure, misalignment, and rough roads can lead to tyre damage.
For your safety and to maintain optimal performance on the roads, it’s crucial to give your tyres the attention they deserve. Lions Mobile Tyres advises regular tyre maintenance checks, ideally on a weekly basis or before embarking on long trips.
Here’s what you should focus on:
Ensuring Proper Tyre Pressure Proper tyre inflation is vital for three reasons. Firstly, for safety, as under-inflated tyres may overheat, while over-inflated tyres can result in poor handling. Secondly, for economic reasons, since incorrect tyre pressures cause uneven wear, leading to more frequent replacements and potentially more fuel consumption due to increased rolling resistance. Lastly, maintaining the right pressure is better for the environment, as it promotes fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.
It’s important to adhere to the tyre pressure recommendations provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer, which can be found in your vehicle handbook, on the driver’s door sill, or inside the fuel flap.
Monitoring Tread Depth The tread depth on your tyres is fundamental for safe braking. As the tread wears down, braking distances can increase. To ensure optimal braking performance, it’s recommended to replace tyres before the tread depth falls below 3mm, although the legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters and around the entire circumference of the tyre. Not adhering to these guidelines can result in fines and points on your license.
You can check the tread depth by looking for the small raised notches in the tread grooves or by using a tread depth gauge or even a 20p coin test. Ensure to check the tread depth at multiple points to detect any uneven wear.
Inspecting for External Damage Look out for any external damage like cuts, lumps, or bulges, often caused by impacts with curbs, potholes, or debris. Such damages necessitate an immediate inspection by a specialist to prevent tyre failure.
If your vehicle has undergone emergency braking or you notice any abnormalities in tyre performance, have them inspected by a professional at your earliest convenience. For any tyre care questions or concerns, Lions Mobile Tyres is here to assist.
Our skilled technicians will examine your tyres for overall condition, tread depth compliance, and correct tyre pressures according to manufacturer specifications.
