Tyre Damage or Abnormal Wear
Time to Change your tyres? Tyre Damage or Abnormal Wear
Many drivers aren't aware of when the optimum time to replace their tyres is, you may notice a deterioration of performance as your tyres wear but how do you know when you should actually replace a tyre? Even fewer are aware that through some simple checks and regular maintenance you can significantly improve the performance and longevity of your tyres, giving you the very best value for your money. However, every motorist is fully aware of just how expensive owning and driving a car is. With this in mind, the tyre experts at Michelin have created some simple guides to make sure you get the very best performance and life from your tyres.
Tyre Care - Tyre Damage or Abnormal Wear
Tyres last longer with regular checks
Standard car / van tyres are designed to be adequately filled with air, if they are not used at the correct pressure you are increasing the risk of damage to the tyre and may reduce the performance and overall life of the tyre. Make sure you check your tyre pressures monthly and before any long trip. At the same time, its important to check the tyre tread depths, and look for any signs of damage to the sidewall, or strange or irregular wear of the tyre tread. If you are in any doubt, call one of our tyre technicians who will be able to talk you through whether you should come to our depot to check if your tyres are suitable for further use.
Reasons to change my tyres - My Tyre is Damaged
There are many ways that a driver can very easily damage a tyre beyond repair, like driving into a kerb, pothole, or colliding with a sharp object. Any visible perforation, cut or deformation has the potential to render the tyre unsafe to use so they must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional.
Only they can tell you whether the tyre can be repaired or has to be changed, why take the risk? Ask a professional and they will honestly tell you what the best course of action would be.
Never use damaged tyres or tyres that have run flat or at very low pressures unless they have been thoroughly examined internally and externally by a tyre professional. This is one reason to avoid purchasing a 'part-worn' tyre - you simply don't know the history. A tyre that has been used under inflated can exhibit high levels of structural wear in the sidewalls thus impacting the performance and longevity of the tyre. If in doubt, always get your tyres checked out.
Inspection by a professional is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted; only then can a decision be made as to whether the tyre can be put back into service.
Reasons to change my tyres - My Tyre is Worn in a Strange Place
Abnormal or uneven tyre wear - in patches, in the centre, or at the edges may indicate a mechanical problem like improper wheel alignment, or a problem with wheel balance, suspension or transmission and will impact heavily on the performance of the tyre in all conditions. It could also be that you're driving with the wrong tyre pressure - a common mistake of many drivers in the UK. If you notice abnormal wear, first check your tyre pressures and make sure they are operating at the right pressure, then contact your tyre specialist to ask them to thoroughly check the tyre inside and out for any hidden structural damage.
To prevent uneven wear from new, make sure you have your wheels aligned and balanced by a tyre specialist - we can explain the options in more detail. There are a number of benefits to proper alignment and balancing, it helps maintain your tyres throughout their use but it will also extend tread life and give you a smoother ride. Another way to keep your tyre wear even is to regularly rotate your wheel positions - we can give some advice on the best way to do this.
What causes abnormal tyre wear?
Here are some common causes of abnormal tyre wear to look out for:
- Wear on one shoulder: suspension misalignment.
- Wear on both shoulders: under-inflated tyre.
- Wear along the tyre's centre: over inflation.
