Whether you’re a safety-conscious driver or you simply want to extend the life of your car, there are plenty of reasons why it’s important to get your tyres checked regularly.
However, how often should you get your tyres checked? What do you need to keep an eye on? The answers to these questions and more are below.
About car tyres
Tyres are something most of us take for granted. However, if they’re not in good condition, it can cause major problems on any journey. Your vehicle’s most important safety features are its tyres. Almost a third of all car accidents in 2016 involved a blown tyre, with at least 35% of them claiming a life. It’s essential that your tyres are regularly serviced and kept in good condition - it could save your life! Here’s why you should have your tyre pressure checked every few months.
Checking your tyres
Tyres are rated according to tread wear (how much grooving is left) and by pressure (the amount of air inside them). Our Salisbury based garage will be able to test these factors and tell you if your tyres need replacing or if they still have life in them. Make sure you get your tyres checked at least once a year; doing so could save you money by finding potential problems early on.
Signs you need new tyres
There are a number of ways you can check your tyre wear. A simple way is by using a five pence coin. All you need to do is insert it into a groove between each tread block. If you can see all of Queen Elizabeth's head, then it means that your tyre has worn down and it’s time for new ones! Also, if you push down on a section of your tyre with enough force and there is no give, that means that section has likely worn out and isn’t safe for driving anymore.
Getting new tyres fitted
You might think that getting new tyres is a simple matter of popping into your local garage and buying them, but there are several other steps you need to take. Here’s what you should do before popping out for some new rubber: Get your alignment checked at least once a year; ensure that all other suspension components are in good condition; take your car for an annual service check; and, of course, make sure that your air pressure is always correct. The advantages to doing all these things are numerous, but perhaps most significant is improved safety. The better your car handles on poor road surfaces or in wet weather conditions, for example, the safer you’ll be when driving—particularly if you have kids riding with you.
Last but not least, please DO NOT try to change your tyres by yourself. This can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Always ask the experts what you should do if your tyres are worn down or past their best before date.
Our Salisbury tyre fitters can help you get the best tyres fitted to meet your driving needs. If you would like to know more about our Salisbury tyre-fitting service, please visit our service page.
If you would like to arrange your tyre-fitting, you can contact us by phone, Facebook, our contact form, or by popping into our Salisbury tyre fitting garage.
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