Keeping up to date on tyre maintenance should be an essential part of caring for your car. Check out some tips on how to care for car tyres below
Car enthusiast or not, tyre maintenance should be considered a must for all drivers.
Keeping an eye on the health of your tyres can not only decrease the risk of accidents, but can also help with fuel efficiency. Which allows you to save those hard earned dollars.
We’ve put together a list of tyre care and maintenance tips that will keep you safe on the road and hopefully reduce the risk of any unexpected flats.
Checking Tyre Pressure
One of the easiest and most important jobs you can do for your tyres is checking the tyre pressure.
Tyres that are under-inflated can cause an increase in rolling resistance which is known to have a negative impact on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Under-inflation also causes your car’s tyres to be more susceptible to damage from foreign objects on the road.
Over-inflation can cause the tyre to not absorb as many shocks from the road and can cause damage to the middle of the tyre’s tread.
To check your tyre pressure, you can purchase a tyre pressure gauge. If not, most service stations will have an air & water section where you can check your tyre pressure and inflate your tyres if needed.
All tyres have the maximum tyre pressure listed on the side of the tyre. Use this as a guide to ensure you don’t over-inflate your tyres. If you’re still unsure, refer to your owner's manual or the tyre placard on the glove box or pillar.
Checking Tyre Tread
If somebody asked you right now, could you tell them the tread depth of your tyres?
Don't worry if you can't, not many can. Knowing your tread depth is actually really important for not only your safety, but if your tyre tread depth is under the minimum, you can cop a pretty hefty fine.
All new car tyres come with a tread depth of approx. 8mm. Over time they wear down and they MUST be replaced once they get to 1.6mm. We recommend looking for replacement tyres when the depth equals around 3mm.
There are a couple of ways that you can measure your tyre tread. You can purchase a tread depth indicator from any reputable automotive store or check the tread bar indicators on the tyres.
Tread wear indicators or wear bars are little indicators that sit within the tread of a tyre. When the tread wears down and it becomes even with the indicator, new tyres are required immediately. It is important to check the entire tyre as some can wear heavier on the inside or outside
Wheel Alignment & Rotation
Next time you take your vehicle in for a service, make sure they rotate the tyres and properly align the wheels. (Keep in mind some tyres may not be able to be rotated as they are only designed for one side of the vehicle. Always check with your mechanic.)
Rotating your car tyres helps ensure that they wear evenly, as each tyre carries different amounts of weight. By rotating the tyres regularly you evenly distribute the weight of the vehicle over time, maximising the life of your tyres.
As this job requires your vehicle to be up on a hoist, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Get in touch with your nearest Honda Tyre Centre, they will be more than happy to help.
Honda x Bridgestone
Honda have partnered with Bridgestone to bring you the very best in tyre technology, giving you a smoother, safer and more fuel efficient drive.
Whether you’re looking to be more fuel efficient or after something designed for the outdoors, Honda Tyre Centres will have exactly what you’re looking for.
Check out our range of tyres here and get in touch with a Honda Tyre Centre near you. If you’re looking to find out more about tyre maintenance check our tyre maintenance guide.