Tyres are
the only point of contact that a road vehicle has with the road and, thus, they
are an absolutely crucial part of any vehicle when it comes to performance or
safety. However, very worryingly, tyre health is being increasingly ignored
by drivers here in the UK.
In fact, a
tyre specialist from a vehicle maintenance centre in Manchester has suggested
that up to 90% of the tyres that he and his team replace are below the legal
limit for tyre tread. Leaving tyres in this state for an extended period of
time will put you, your passengers and other road users in a huge amount of
danger, especially if you drive on the motorway. By leaving tyres to
deteriorate, they will inevitably burst at some point. If that’s on the fast
lane of the motorway with your family in the car, the consequences could be
severe.
To quantify
this point, in 2017 it was discovered that insufficient tyre maintenance was
the leading cause of car accidents across the nation
.
Whether tyres had low pressure or illegal tread, simple acts of negligence led
to more accidents than were ascribed to any other area of the car. By simply
checking your car on a regular basis, having it serviced once per year,
ensuring your tyres are kept at the proper pressure and staying vigilant for
any unusual sounds or feelings, you’ll be able to spot issues early on.
With that in
mind, it’s imperative not to put off having your tyres replaced and always
contact a professional if you think that a repair or replacement needs to take
place.
If You Notice These Symptoms, Immediately
Contact Your Local Garage For
Tyre Sales
For a lot of
road users, it’s not always straightforward to notice that something is not
quite right with your car. Most of the time, issues manifest themselves first
in the form of unusual smells, sounds or lights on your dashboard.
However,
being unsure is a natural response for most people and it can be too late by
the time you’ve decided to get your car checked out. With that in mind, we’ve
provided a few symptoms of damaged or deteriorating tyres for you to keep your
eyes, ears and nose out for.
Visual Signs That Your Tyres are Damaged or
Deteriorated
Visual signs
of damage should be your very first port of call when ascertaining that your
tyres need to be repaired or replaced. Checks should take place fairly
regularly once every few weeks to ensure that you’re not posing a danger to
yourself or to other road users.
The most
obvious issue with tyres is that the tyre tread is worn to an illegal limit.
Here in the UK, the legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm across the middle 75%
of the tyre. Tyres with less than 3mm tread generally have much slower braking
power, especially when driving on wet surfaces. With that in mind, it’s always
recommended that tyres are replaced before they reach the 1.6mm legal limit.
To check
that you’re safe to drive, you can employ the ‘20p coin test’. This test
involves inserting a 20 pence piece into the tread in the centre of the tyre
and checking to see whether the outer rim of the coin is showing or not. If you
can see the rim of the coin from the groove, then the tread is below the legal
limit and if you can’t see the rim then you’re legal. By continuing this test
on a regular basis, you’ll know when your tyres need changing.
Similarly,
checking the sidewalls of your tyre will also provide you with clues as to the
health of your wheels. First of all, if there is visible cracking on the
sidewall, then this is a surefire sign that they will need changing soon. This
is caused because, over time, tyres will lose their elasticity and become more
and more brittle. If this cracking becomes deep and profound, then it’s almost
certainly time for a replacement. However, you should trust a tyre professional
to properly diagnose the damage.
Again, any
cuts or bulges on the sidewall of the tyre are also signs that the tyres are
running out of mileage. This damage is caused by building pressure within your
tyres, particularly after an accident or some careless driving. A damaged
sidewall can cause a tyre blowout at any point, so it’s crucial to get this
looked at as soon as you notice it.
Sounds and Smells You Should Look Out For
Unfamiliar
sounds should be another clue in deciding whether your tyres are damaged and
might need to be replaced.
If your
tyres are making a ‘humming’ sound, then this may indicate that there is an
uneven tread on your tyres. If this noise is accompanied by a soft pulling of
the steering wheel in one direction, then you may be forced to get your wheels
realigned, but it could also be that the wear on your tyres is occurring
unevenly on one side of the tyre.
Tyres making
a ‘womp womp’ noise as you drive indicates that your cars are wearing
significantly on one side and may also need to be realigned. If you discover
any of these sounds, then you should always take your car to a professional
tyre specialist as the first port of call to get an expert diagnosis.
Feelings That Indicate Tyre Damage
Finally,
physical evidence that your tyres need replacing should also be strongly
considered. If you feel any worrying vibration sensations, particularly when
you brake, then your tyres might be the culprit. Out of balance tyres with
uneven tread will vibrate as you apply the brakes of your car. Also, if you can
feel that your steering wheel vibrates and the car shakes as you reach certain
speeds then the uneven tread is also likely the issue at hand.
If the
vibration falls away above or below those certain speeds then you should
perform a visible check of your tyres as soon as possible to give you the
information you need. The next step is taking it straight to a tyre
professional to get the tyres changed as it can be very dangerous to continue
to drive your car in this condition.
Buying Cheap Tyres Or Having Them Repaired? The
Best Choices For Drivers on a Budget
When your
safety is at stake, cost shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of your priority
list. However, we do understand that for many people it must be considered.
Luckily, decent tyres can be sold relatively cheap these days and you don’t
need to replace your current tyres with top of the line products to ensure
safety.
At Acorn
Tyres in Aylesbury, we have a range of tyres for any and all budgets. When
there is an issue with your tyre, it’s always best to have it replaced as
temporary repairs are not always reliable. So, if you’re concerned you haven’t
got the budget for a new set of tyres, come in and visit us and we can talk you
through all of the various options available.
Looking For a Car Garage Near Me in Aylesbury?
Look No Further Than Acorn Tyres
At Acorn
Tyres and Servicing, we provide a huge array of services from our team of
professional mechanics. From routine repair and maintenance to MOT tests and
servicing, we can help you keep your vehicle much safer and on the road for
longer. No matter what age, make or model your car is, we have the experience
and knowledge to extend its lifespan and keep it operating optimally.
We
understand just how crucial the tyres on your car are for the safety of you and
your passengers, which is why we provide out tyre servicing and fitting
provision for our customers. If you think that your tyres may need replacing on
repairing, then don’t hesitate to give us a call today. We can help you decide
on the best tyres for your vehicle and provide advice on how to best maintain
them.
To find out more,
contact
us
today. You can find us at Acorn Tyres and Servicing, 1
Weston Way Industrial Estate, Lower Road, Aylesbury, HP22 5GT or call us on
01296 612 075.
