TYRE MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE GUIDE

Your road safety rides on your tyres as they are the vehicle's only point of contact with the road, and grip is what keeps a car stable around corners. They are also your anchor, with the ability to carry the entire stopping force of the brakes. Worn tyres can be lethal, which is why it is important to check for under and over inflation once a month, as either can damage tyres, under inflation more so than over inflation.

Apart from checking pressure, have tyres professionally inspected during each vehicle service or when the tyres are rotated. ROADX recommends vigilance in tyre maintenance.

CHECK OUT THE CONSEQUNCES THAT CAN RESULT FROM INCORRECT TYRE INFLATION.

Inflation Problem	Consequence
Under-inflation	Reduced fuel performance
Under-inflation	Tyre failure due to additional stress on sidewalls
Under-inflation	Reduced handling due to tyres flexing
Under-inflation	Quicker tread wear
Over-inflation	Harsher ride and increased stress on suspension
Over-inflation	Increased chance of blowout

HOW TO CHECK YOUR TYRES

It’s not good enough to wander around the car kicking the tyres. The best way is to buy a tyre gauge, which are very reasonably priced. Make sure you match each tyre pressure on the gauge with the recommended tyre pressure located in the vehicle’s owner manual or on the door pillar label. Also, check the tread depth. Use a key in the grooves of the tyres to inspect for tread wear. (See more on this below).

CHECK TYRE PRESSURE

The first thing to check, and something that should be checked most often, is the tyre pressure. Every car has an information plate, usually inside the driver's door, which shows the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressures for that vehicle. While many tyres do have a pressure figure listed on the sidewall, this is the maximum pressure the tyre is designed to withstand, not the recommended inflation level. Always take the inflation figures from the car, not from the tyres.

Inspect for Tread Wear

While tread wear is particularly important on the drive wheels, which can either be front or rear wheeled configured, healthy treads are important for both braking and handling on all four wheels in day-to-day driving.

Check for Visible Tyre Damage e.g. Splits, Tears, Foreign Objects

Visible damage is a clear sign that a tyre needs to be repaired or preferably replaced. Every tyre inspection should involve a complete visual inspection for damage. This damage can include, but is not limited to, such things as obvious splits, cracks, and punctures in the casing as well as bulges in the sidewall. The presence of any of these signs is a clear indication that the tyre is near the very end of its useful life and that it is time to replace it. While punctures may be repaired, many other types of visible damage may be signs of further damage to the tyre's interior which could have compromised its structural integrity without the owner knowing.

Check the Valve Stems e.g. Splits or Tears

They may seem like small things, but the valve stems are very important. The first thing to look for is the presence of a valve cap. They may be small, but valve caps perform a vital function in keeping the valves clean and preventing slow leaks. Even a small amount of soil in the valve can lead to a slow leak, which can then mean a persistent under-inflation problem. Not only should the valve stems be checked regularly for leaks, but it is also important to replace any missing valve caps as soon as their absence is noticed.

Tyre Inspection Frequency Preferably Monthly

While different manufacturers may have their own individual recommendations for tyre inspection frequency, it is a good idea to at least check the tyre pressure once a month and do a full inspection with every tyre rotation, if not more frequently. As with anything else, it is easier to remember to do a full inspection if it is done at the same time as other scheduled procedures. One way to do that is to inspect the tyres with every oil change. That way, the very longest between inspections is likely to be 5,000km to 8000km.

Professional Inspection With Every Tyre Rotation

Many drivers rotate their tyres regularly, either from front to back on the same side for unidirectional tyres, or diagonally from left to right for regular tyres. Others rotate when they have their vehicle serviced. Watch for irregular wear across the tyre surface. It may indicate that tyre rotation is due.

Watch Out for Slow Leaks

If you’re needing to inflate a tyre (or tyres) more often than usual, it could mean a slow leak is at play. If you suspect a tyre has a slow leak, have it checked by an expert, immediately. To delay is drive on an unsafe tyre.

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HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION?

If you have a specific query about one of our ROADX Tyre products, please feel free to get in touch via our Service Hotline or email