Five Tyre Safety Checks You Can Do Yourself
Posted on: 26 January 2018
If you have doubts about the safety of your car's tyres, then have them inspected either at your next car service or when you are passing by a tyre fitters. Running around on poorly maintained tyres is not just dangerous for the driver, but also their passengers and other motorists who might be on the road close by when a problem occurs. Take a few minutes every few times you fill up with fuel to conduct the following safety checks to ensure you are driving without a potential problem looming.
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Step One – Check the Tread Depth
To be legal on Australian roads, you need a tread depth that is at least 1.5mm. Lower than this and you will stop less quickly and could face legal problems. Use a tyre tread depth gauge around the entire perimeter of each tyre. Looking in just one place is not sufficient. Exchange any tyres without the necessary tread depth immediately.
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Step Two – Confirm the Right Pressure
When you are at the filling station, use the garage's air pump to confirm your tyre pressure. The manufacturer's guidance will be in your owner's manual. Under-inflated tyres tend to lead to 'spongy steering' which means you cannot manoeuvre properly, while over-inflated ones are more liable to blow out.
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Step Three – Look for Bulges
Bulges in tyres are not a good thing. They basically indicate that the rubber compound that the tyre is made from is coming apart. Bulges tend to occur on the sidewalls of tyres and – on the inner side – this makes them difficult to spot. Use a torch to get a good view of the inner side of each of your car's four tyres.
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Step Four – Check for Debris
When you run over tracks in rural areas, it is quite possible to pick up sharp stones in your tyre tread. Although many of these stones will get thrown out once you are back on tarmac, some will work their way into the rubber leading to a slow but sustained loss of pressure. Driving over glass, nails or screws can also have the same effect. Consider replacing any tyres that have objects sticking into them.
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Step Five – Confirm Your Spare Is Fine
Although you might have never used it, your spare tyre will be essential if you have a flat. No regime of checking your main four tyres should mean that the spare goes unlooked at. Make sure it is properly pumped up and ready to go, when needed.
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