- 02-02-2024
The Essential Summer Wheel Alignment Checklist Every Driver Needs
By taking your car in for a wheel alignment check every 6 months, you can ensure that your tyres are performing at their best and that your car is running as efficiently as possible.
The summer season brings with it many challenges. The extreme climate takes its toll not just on humans but on machines too. Every machine is a complex system affected by intense and excruciating climate and neglect.
Why is Summer Tyre Maintenance Vital?
Extending tyre life and enhancing the driving experience can be achieved by maintaining proper tyre pressure, performing regular maintenance, and following the manufacturer's instructions these suggested tips to help you prioritise your comfort and safety while driving, such as avoiding problems:
- Uneven Ageing
- Decreased Efficiency of the Fuel
- Managing Issues
Regular Maintenance Practices for Summer Tires
Regular maintenance practices are essential for keeping your summer tyres in optimal condition and ensuring a smooth and safe driving experience. Here are some basic practices to consider.
1. Regular Tyre Rotation for Even Wear
As per the instructions given in your manual or as directed by the manufacturer the tyres need rotation approximately every 10000 kilometres. This is done to even out the tyre wear. All tyres are exposed to different conditions when the car is in motion. Due to the uneven terrain, over-exposure to heat in the summers, different road conditions, and different driving habits, each car tyre goes through different stages of wear. To even this out tyres need to be rotated between different wheels. This ensures each tyre gives maximum life and minimal damage to the car overall.
2. Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure
You must be aware that there is a recommended tyre pressure for a car. This varies between the make of the car and of course the capacity of the car too.
This recommended pressure is displayed as instruction in every car or the car manual. There is a normal recommended pressure and also one when the vehicle is carrying more load. Tyre pressure is a very important aspect in deciding the life and health of a tyre.
3. Conduct Naked-eye Inspections
Tyres are one of the most widely used auto parts. When a car is used regularly, tyres wear the most.
Prolonged driving, worn roads, uneven terrain, and extreme temperatures can wear out tyres faster than can be imagined.
It is necessary to periodically manually perform an open-eye inspection to determine the condition of the tyre.
The following information can be found during such an analysis:
- Low tyre pressure
- Condition of tyres and treads: Are they starting to deteriorate
- The inside of the tyre may be exposed
- Each side crosses the tyre
If the tread begins to wear out below 1.6 mm, if the internal components begin to show, or if there are visible cuts, chips, etc., the tyre should be replaced or repaired immediately or you do.
4. Car Alignment and Tire Balance Maintenance
Your tyres and accessories will last the longest when your wheels are balanced and aligned. It also ensures the smooth running of the vehicle and reduces the possibility of any accidents due to imbalance, especially in turns, delays, etc. If the wheel is out of balance, one side of the wheel can be heavier than the other and this causes vibration as the wheel rotates. Aligning or tracking the wheels keeps the wheels pointing and moving in the right direction. It ensures that they are straight and parallel relative to the wall. This prevents strange or unexpected movements that could cause something bad. Wheel alignment and wheel balance give the tyre a healthy life. These roads should be done every 8000 kilometres after new tyres are available, as well.
The Summer Wheel Alignment Checklist
Accurate wheel positioning is even more important in the summer for stability and even tyre wear. Here's a comprehensive checklist for matching winter wheels to help you keep your tyres in good condition:
1. Check Wheel Balance and Alignment Regularly
Careful planning for consistent and balanced wheel placement can greatly increase tyre performance and longevity. It is recommended that these inspections be performed annually as soon as signs of tyre misalignment or slippage are observed while driving.
2. Easy to Drive
Proper wheel grip can also contribute to a comfortable ride. Stay away from sudden stops, fast acceleration and sharp turns. Your tyres can get a lot of stress from these activities, which can lead to alignment issues.
3. Regular Washing and Waxing
Not only is it a luxury to keep the car clean and weatherproof, but it also affects tyre maintenance. Regular car washes and waxes help reduce wheel wear, which can reduce the appearance of your car over time.
4. Inspecting the Spare Tire
A spare tyre comes in handy in an emergency. Nobody likes to get a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere or on a busy day.
The summer season often tends to damage the tyres more than any other time due to the excess heat. It is all the more important that we have a spare tyre ready and in good health for such situations.
Ensure proper pressure is maintained in the spare tyre as well. When inspecting the running tyres for damage, inspect the spare tyre too
The summer months bring unique challenges for tyre maintenance, and it's essential to prioritize the care of your tyres to ensure safety and performance on the road. By implementing the recommended tips for summer tyre care, including regular maintenance practices and professional inspections like wheel alignment, you can enhance your driving experience and minimize the risk of unexpected issues.