We’re now well in to September 2014 and we’ve had what is so far quite a mixed bag of weather. As I type, I’m looking at my back garden and there is so much sun it almost looks like I could don shorts, sunglasses and top up my tan. The reality is however that there have also been plenty of rainy days and as the darker nights set in the cold will soon follow. With that in mind, here are some tips for Autumn tyre care:
- Wash your tyres. This might sound strange but grease and salt build up can reduce grip levels. Sort it by keeping your tyres in good condition.
- Poorer weather should mean more vehicle checks. Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics, and Rubber should all be checked. Think FLOWER as The AA recommends!
- As conditions worsen, consider having your wheels realigned. This will ensure that the steering tracking is straight and true. This can affect everything from the braking of the car through to fuel economy so it’s worth doing.
- The minimum legal required tread depth for a car in the UK is 1.6mm. It is worth noting though that in all but the best of conditions you’ll really want to be driving on a tyre with more than that. Think 3mm as your actual minimum and you’ll feel happier knowing that the tyres will look after you in an emergency (short of a complete blow out of course).
- If you have curbed your wheels or otherwise suspect that the tyre wall may have come in to physical contact with something, then examine the tyre. The wall is quite weak compared to to the flat of the tyre and is easily damaged. Look for bulges, cuts, grazes or abrasions.
So there you have it. Follow these tips and you’ll hopefully have an incident free Autumn drive! Be safe, look after your car and it will look after you.
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