Recharge Your Tyres Before A Road Trip

• a) Check Tyre Pressure

  ●        Checking the tyre pressure at least once in a month should be a routine for every car owner. And it becomes highly essential, especially when you're about to go on a long trip.

  ●        When the tyres are sufficiently inflated with the recommended air pressure levels, their service life is extended. The recommended tyre pressure of a car is provided in the owner's manual. It is also usually inscribed on the driver's door jamb.

  ●        Remember, underinflation can make tyres flex more and build up heat, leading to tyre damage. Underinflated tyres can wear out faster and may also reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.   So keep the tyre pressure in check.

• Check Tread Wear Indicators & Sidewalls

  ●        Bald tyres are never a great companion for any journey, long or short. They are more prone to punctures too. It is, therefore, necessary that before you leave for your trip, you do a thorough inspection of the tyre treads and grooves.

  ●        The best way to check the tread depth of the tyres is by looking at the tread wear indicators. They are present in the grooves. These tread wear indicators are marks present in the tread grooves to give you a visual indication of the tread wear level.

  ●        If the tyre tread comes at par to the level of tread wear indicators, it is a sign that you need a tyre change.

  ●        After the tread, shift your focus on the sidewalls. Check if there are any bulges, cuts or cracks. If the sidewalls have either of these issues, it is time to replace the tyres. You can visit a nearby tyre shop and look for the best available tyre options for your car or bike. Or you can buy CEAT tyres online.

• Rotate Tyres If Required

  ●        In layman's terms, tyre rotation refers to swapping of the tyres so that all tyres wear evenly. Unless any specific guidelines are given in the car's manual regarding tyre rotation, it is useful to rotate tyres after every 8000-12000 kilometres. Other than even wear, tyre rotation also allows tyres to hold their shape and perform as designed.

  ●        You can get your tyres rotated at any tyre shop near you.

• Carry A Spare Wheel

  ●        Even proper research won't be able to account for real-time updates to road conditions. You may not always know the kind of roads you might end up traversing. If the road conditions are bumpy with lots of potholes, there are chances of a tyre going flat.

  ●        In such a situation, a spare wheel is a big saviour. It will be a great alternate, whether it is the front tyre or the back tyre that goes flat.

  ●        Along with a spare wheel, remember to carry a jackscrew. It will come handy in changing the tyre yourself, in case of an emergency. 

• Do Not Carry Unnecessary Stuff

  ●        A heavier car makes it harder for tyres to bear the load and degrades the ride and handling. Also, it reduces the fuel economy. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid overloading while going on a road trip. 

• Check Wheel Alignment and Balancing

  ●        Check the wheel alignment and balancing before you leave for a road trip. A misaligned wheel can lead to rapid and uneven tread wear. Hence, it is good to get the angles of the wheels adjusted so that they are perpendicular to the ground and perfectly parallel to each other.

  ●        Wheels that are not balanced, make the drives wobbly. They can damage the wheel bearings, suspension and other parts of the vehicle. 

• Don’t worry, though, because you can get your wheels aligned at your nearest CEAT Shoppe.

  So, the next time before you hit the road for a trip, make sure you follow these tips for tyre maintenance. Roll trouble-free into a fun adventure!