Do’s & Dont’s For Tyres

06 June 2017
Car with the sea in background
  • Do check your tyre pressure when they are cold. Don’t bleed the tyres (let the pressure out) when they are hot.
  • Do have an accurate tyre pressure gauge. Don’t rely on the gauge at the service station, as a lot of them are inaccurate.
  • Do have tyres inspected if you notice regular pressure loss. Don’t just re-inflate the tyre and hope that it will be alright.
  • Do use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure. Don’t use 200 kPa unless it is the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure.
  • Do check your tyre pressure before going on a long trip and reset to the recommended pressures for the full load. After the trip, reduce to those recommended for normal driving conditions.
  • Do use valve caps to protect the valve core.
  • Do have your wheel alignment checked in line with the manufacturer’s specifications. Don’t just have the front wheels aligned.
  • Do have the alignment checked if you know that you have hit a pothole or a curb. Don’t climb curbs to park the car – this is one of the greatest causes of putting the wheel alignment out on a vehicle.
  • Do have the wheels balanced when you feel the slightest sign of vibration on the steering. Don’t just balance the fronts – balance all of them.
  • Do inspect for remaining tread on a tyre. Don’t drive on tyres where the tread depth is below the legal limit.
  • Do have your wheel alignment checked when you see irregular wear on the tyres.
  • Do rotate your tyres in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation – they will last longer. Certain car models have different tyres in the front and rear. Under these circumstances, it will not be possible to rotate tyres.
  • Do inspect your tyres every second week for damage and objects that may be penetrating the tyre. Don’t pull nails out of the tyre treads – go to a dealer who will repair the tyre correctly.
  • Do have a “combination plug/patch repair” for punctures. Don’t use plug repairs – they are temporary and only designed to get you home.
  • Do use tyres that are in good condition. Don’t risk your life and those of other road users on tyres that are suspect. Take the advice of professionals as to whether a tyre is suitable for continued use, even after repair.
  • Do have a spare wheel in good condition. Don’t have a spare that is suspect – you never know when you will need it.
  • Do replace tyres with those that are approved for the vehicle. Don’t fit tyres that have a lower performance capability than those that should be fitted to the vehicle.
  • Do have snap-in valves replaced when new tyres are fitted – the valve base does get damaged and will last for one tread life only.

  • Do reduce vehicle speeds when it starts to rain, as there will be a lot of road grime on the surface that will make the roads very slippery.

  • Do reduce vehicle speeds on gravel roads, particularly if there are sharp rocks and stones on the surface – you may get shoulder damage on tyres.