Tyre Tips for Better Value, Efficiency and Safety
Looking after your tyres can improve the life of your tyres, minimise maintenance and fuel costs and, most importantly, help keep your passengers and equipment safe.
Pressure Checks
Improperly inflated tyres can lead to premature wearing of your tyres and can affect braking, handling, fuel economy and traction, so it’s important to check them at least once a month. For every 10psi that your tyre is under inflated, the tyre’s life could be reduced by as much as 12%. Tyres should be cold when checked, as warm tyres have increased pressure and may therefore give an inaccurate reading. Ask us about our regular onsite pressure and maintenance checks for fleet vehicles.
Visual Inspection
Taking a good look at your tyres on a regular basis is a fundamental aspect of maintaining safe, reliable and cost-effective transport. An ideal time to visually inspect your tyres is while you’re checking your tyre pressure. Check your tyres for any bulges, cracks or abrasions, and keep an eye out for any sharp objects that may be lodged in the treads as even a small puncture can lead to cracking or more extensive damage in the future. This is also a great time to check the wear patterns on your treads.
Tread Checks
The tread on your tyres provides an excellent indication of pressure, alignment and wear and tear.
Excessive wear on the shoulder of the tyre can indicate it’s been under inflated, while wear to the centre of the tread can indicate over inflation. If wear is uneven, your wheels may need re-aligning.
Sufficient tread is crucial in preventing accidents and sliding in wet or icy conditions. Most tyres include wear indicators, so if you can see that the indicator is even with the outside tread it is time to replace the tyre. If you see signs of damage or think you may require new tyres, talk to the MSC Warrnambool team to discuss the best options for your vehicle.
Tyre Rotation
Regular rotation is important to ensure even wear on your tyres as they do not all receive equal weight from the vehicle. A typical on-road prime mover often requires tyres to be rotated every 30,000 kilometres on steer tyres and 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres on drives, although trailer and light trucks often require this more regularly. Rotation methods can vary according to your type of tyre and vehicle, and our team can assist with identifying the correct pattern and scheduling of your tyre rotations. It’s also important to adjust tyre pressure to the recommended inflation each time your tyres are rotated.
Wheel Alignment
Well-aligned wheels are perfectly perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Poorly aligned wheels can cause irregular wearing of your tyres and result in higher maintenance and fuel costs.
Wheel Balance
Tyres can often be thrown out of balance by damage or other imperfections, leading to heavier areas on the tyre’s structure and vibrations while driving. Not only is this unsafe for the vehicle’s passengers, it can also affect the life of your tyres and suspension and increase your fuel costs.
Tyres should be balanced when they are mounted for the first time after fitting or repair, and ideally once a year from then on. If you sense vibrations or wobbling when driving, contact our specialist team. They’ll use specialised equipment to assess, identify and balance the heavy areas using weights, leading to a more comfortable and cost-effective ride for your passengers or cargo.
Tyre Repair
Proper tyre repair includes dismounting the tyre from the wheel, which is best done by a trained tyre specialist. Our team can thoroughly inspect the tyre for damage and patch or plug punctures as required. We can also assist you in replacing your tyres with the best type for your vehicle when the time comes to replace them.
