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Your car speaks to you in many ways. Whether it’s through warning lights or funny noises coming from the engine bay. However, there’s one thing that often goes ignored: tyres. From small mechanical problems to how you drive, your tyres will tell you many things about your car long before they become serious or expensive issues. One of the reasons experienced technicians take a good look at tyres as part of a regular car service in Boronia or Wantirna is that they can reveal a lot about a vehicle’s overall health.
Why should you care about your tyres?
Tyres bear the weight of the car, and they’re the only part of your vehicle that comes into contact with the road. They cushion the impact from the road, keep you upright, and enable steering, braking, and stability. As they carry out these important jobs, issues with your suspension, alignment, brakes, and tyre pressures can all affect their condition. Some drivers only notice their tyres when they’re flat or balding. However, spotting the warning signs before they become unsafe to drive on can prevent bigger issues.
Incorrect tyre pressure can cause damage
If you notice one side of your tyre wearing faster than the other, it’s likely you have a wheel alignment issue. Wheel alignment refers to how your tyres meet the road. Small inconsistencies in your wheel alignment can cause them to scrub along the road at incorrect angles, which wears them down faster.
Incorrect alignment won’t just cause your tyres to wear out faster. It’ll affect your steering responsiveness and your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Driving down the road, you may also notice your vehicle pulling to one side. Or your steering wheel may no longer sit centre when driving in a straight line. Besides causing steering and alignment issues, uneven tyre wear can shorten your tyres’ lifespan.
Centre wear on your tyres can indicate overinflation
When the centre tread on your tyre is wearing faster than its sides, it’s an indicator that you have too much air pressure. Overinflated tyres place more pressure on the centre of your tyre, causing it to wear faster than the edges. These tyres won’t give you as much grip, can make your ride harsher, and increase the risk of damage from hitting potholes or road debris. Regularly checking them to the recommended pressure helps promote even tyre wear and improves your vehicle’s handling.
Uneven wear on the edges of your tyre could indicate under-inflation
Just as over-inflated tyres cause the centre of your tyres to wear faster, under-inflated tyres wear the edges faster than the centre. They have a greater rolling radius because the sides flex more as they roll along the road. This places more pressure on the edges and can lead to poor fuel economy and higher operating temperatures.
Suspension issues may cause scalloped or cupped tyres
If your tyres have dips all around, they are said to be scalloped. Suspension issues, such as worn shocks, will often cause them to bounce rather than absorb the impact. This bouncing wears your tyre down in certain spots, which you can often feel by running your hand across the tread. Cupping can also cause you to feel vibrations when driving, a rougher ride and poorer handling stability. If left unchecked, your tyres will continue to wear, and you’ll lose more control over your vehicle as other components wear from the bouncing.
Feathering reveals steering problems
Feathering occurs when the tread ribs of your tyre have a smooth edge on one end and a sharp edge on the opposite end. One of the most common causes of this is misaligned wheels. However, worn steering components can also cause feathering. Steering components such as tie rods and ball joints help keep your wheels positioned correctly. As these wear, your tyres may not maintain constant contact with the road, resulting in feathered edges. If your steering feels vague or it takes effort to keep your vehicle going straight, you may have worn steering components.
Cracked tyres reveal ageing
Tyres tell a completely different story when they are cracked. Ageing tyres will crack along the sidewall and between your tread blocks. Harsh weather conditions and extended periods of your vehicle not being used can also cause them to crack. UV light from the sun can also deteriorate them. A bulge or blister on the sidewall of your tyre is cause for concern. These bulges are weak spots in it and could burst at any moment. If they are significantly cracked, have been in your vehicle for a long time, or show signs of damage, they should be checked by a professional.
Tyres tell you about your driving habits too
Another thing your tyres can tell you is how you drive your car. Constant hard braking can cause flat spots on your tyres and wear out your front tyres faster. Hard cornering will wear their shoulders down faster, and accelerating quickly can wear your driven tyres down faster. Technicians can sometimes notice if your driving habits are causing them to wear out too quickly. Adjusting your driving habits can save you money in the long run.
In conclusion, tyres can tell you if you have suspension issues, steering problems, incorrect wheel alignment, braking issues, and if you haven’t been maintaining your car. They can also reveal your driving habits if you know what to look for. Catching these problems early can save you money in the long run and help you avoid a potentially dangerous breakdown.
Give your tyres the attention they need and deserve by getting them regularly inspected. Whether you’re in for a car service in Wantirna or Boronia, or it’s time for new tyres, have a professional take a look.