Your tyres are vital for keeping you safely on the road as they are the only point of the car in contact with the road surface. But how can you be sure that your tyres are really in good shape without all the tools and gadgets that a mechanic has at his or her disposal.
Take Twenty Pence
Your tread depth must legally be above 1.6mm over the middle three-quarters of the tyre’s contact surface. (Many mechanics do recommend trying to keep a tread depth of 3mm over the whole contact surface for peace of mind and to allow you enough time to buy and fit a new set of tyres.) A quick and easy way of checking your tread depth is to take a twenty-pence piece and stand it upright in the deepest part of your treads. If the wide band running around the outside of the coin is visible in any way – that is to say, not sunk below the contact surface – then your tread depth is dangerously low and you should book a tyre change as soon as possible.
Soapy Water
If you suspect you have a slow puncture but have had no luck at identifying where on the tyre it might be, a good way to locate it is to smother your tyre with very soapy water. After a short time you will see a little cluster of bubbles forming where the air is escaping from your tyre. You may need to leave the soapy water in place for ten to twenty minutes: if the leak is a very slow one it can take that long for the bubble cluster to form. Once you have identified the problem area, you can rinse the tyre, dry it and mark the spot with a splash of paint or nail varnish – or put on a patch, if you have one handy.
Take a Look and Touch
Your tyres change visually and tactilely over time, and using your hands and eyes on them on a regular basis can alert you to any changes in the tyre that might be of concern. Look for dimples or bulges in the sidewall, dark spots or sunk areas on the contact surface and any missing pieces of rubber. Feel for the texture of the tyre: it should not feel silky smooth or worn. If you see or feel anything that concerns you, make an appointment with your mechanic to head off any problem before it turns into a major issue. Book new tyres in London for local prices at DAT Tyres.
Use a Torch
When you are inspecting your tyres, use a torch, even if you are outside in daylight. The underside of your car is often in shadow and a bright torch can help to pinpoint any issues much more easily than just your eyes alone, mainly because the beam of your torch can be directed to exactly where it is needed.
Check Your Balance
This exercise should only ever be attempted in a very safe space, but is a useful way to pick up if your tyres are properly balanced and aligned. Go to an empty car park or similar stretch of flat roadway or concrete. Drive straight ahead, at a low speed, and when you are sure that you are driving perfectly straight (using parking lines is a useful measure) lift your hands from the steering wheel. If your vehicle continues on straight, there are no problems, but if it pulls to one side or the other, then you might have an issue with your wheel balancing or tyre alignment.
