Safety of Summer Tyres
by Brian, under Cars, Safety & Advice.
Summer season is the perfect time for enjoying those long distance trips through road. Most families enjoy their vacation by zipping away to far-away places in their vehicles and also enjoy the serene beauty of the natural environment that comes in their way. If you have also planned such a trip and are ready with your summer tyres, you can also prepare yourself better by understanding about their maintenance.
Tips for Maintaining Summer Tyres
If you have tyres that have been used in the previous season and you need to remount them on the vehicle, it is important to get them done from a professional who will also assist you in wheel balancing and alignment. If you speed off on summer roads without getting proper alignment and balancing done, you are at a high risk of losing your balance in tricky circumstances.
Maintaining the right tyre balance is also necessary for a smooth ride. You must keep checking your tyre pressure regularly and maintain the ideal pressure as far as possible. The ideal pressure can be located in the tyre or car manual or at times in the driving side door of the car at the bottom.
Underinflated tyres are very dangerous as they tend to get severely heated and this can lead to tyre failure. Another problem with underinflated tyres is that they cause extensive damage to the sidewalls as they come in contact with the road and get the impact from sharp turns and sudden braking. In most states, a tyre that in underinflated by more than thirty percent of the ideal pressure is considered unsafe for driving.
Overinflated tyres on the other hand will not allow the tyre to have a good contact with the ground. The tread will not have sufficient contact with the surface and this will lead to instability and will pose safety risk for the driver. In addition, over-inflation will damage the centre of the tyre as maximum pressure is put in that area.
Next, you must check the tread of the tyre for you will need the tread to have the right depth to enjoy a comfortable and safe ride in summers. This should be checked every month through a measuring gauge or even a ruler. The tyres should have a minimum of 2/32 inches of tread depth (tread depth below this limit is illegal). If you are planning to go on tricky roads that need additional grip, the tread depth should ideally be 3/32 inches or more.
In addition to these factors, you must also avoid over-loading your vehicle as it will cause unnecessary pressure to your tyres and will especially result in uneven tear which is very dangerous for the safety of the car. The suspension system will suffer additionally with overloading.
Another major factor is to practice good driving habits to keeps your summer tyres in good shape. Give due consideration to their speed rating and drive accordingly. Avoid potholes and sudden braking. These factors in addition to proper maintenance will keep your tyres in good shape.