Your Essential Guide To Tyre Maintenance
For most New Zealanders, our cars are more than just transport, they’re our connection to work, school, family, and fun weekend pursuits! No matter where you’re headed, because your tyres are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road, they play an important role in the vehicle’s gripping, stopping, and handling – making them a top priority when it comes to safety!
Let’s take a quick look at the top 4 tyre maintenance tasks you need to keep in mind to keep your tyres in tip-top condition!
1. Tyre Tread Depth
When it comes to tyre safety, your tread depth actually matters more than you might think. Tyre tread depth refers to the grooves and patterns on the surface of your tyres that work to channel water away, provide better grip and ensure your vehicle responds effectively to steering and braking.
In New Zealand, the legal minimum tread depth for light vehicles is 1.5 millimetres across the main grooves of the tyre, measured at any point where the tread is worn. While meeting this legal minimum will get you a Warrant of Fitness (WOF), it’s crucial to understand that 1.5mm is a bare minimum for legality, and not necessarily optimal for safety, especially on our often less-than-perfect road conditions.
What Are The Risks?
While the legal limit is 1.5mm, numerous studies and tyre manufacturers consistently recommend a tread depth of at least 2-3 millimetres for optimal wet grip. Why the discrepancy? At the 1.5mm legal limit, your tyres are quite significantly compromised (both in dispersing water and maintaining grip), and there is a potential for an increased risk of:
- Hydroplaning. When water builds up faster than the tyre’s tread can channel it away, the tyre can lose direct contact with the road surface, leading to a dangerous loss of control known as hydroplaning or aquaplaning.
- Poor Braking Performance. Perhaps the most dangerous complication is the difference in braking performance, particularly in wet conditions. The distance between a new tyre (around 8mm tread) and a tyre at 1.5mm tread can be quite startling – with stopping distances potentially increasing by up to 40% on a wet road.
- Reduced Traction. Shallow tread also reduces overall traction, not only making it harder to stop but harder to accelerate and manoeuvre too, especially on slippery surfaces, which could affect your vehicle’s stability around corners.
How To Check Your Tread Depth
An appropriate tyre tread depth gauge will give you the best results, however, the good old match head trick provides a handy, on-the-go tyre tread check if necessary. You will want to check your trye tread depth regularly – at least once a month, and always before a long journey. Make sure to check all four tyres, checking several points around each tyre as wear can be uneven. Keep in mind the tread test methods below give an approximate indication only, ask your local tyre service centre for assistance for more accurate results.
- Tread Indicator Markings. These are the small raised bars within the main grooves of your tyre, when the tyre tread is worn down to be flush with these bars, it means your tread depth is at or below the legal minimum of 1.5mm.
- Match Head Measure. Insert the match head into the tread grooves, you will want to see the whole red match head disappear into the groove. This will roughly indicate your tread is greater than the 1.5mm legal limit – although match head sizes do vary!
2. Underinflated Tyres
Tyre pressure is perhaps the simplest, yet most overlooked, aspect of tyre maintenance. However, it may surprise you to know that incorrectly inflated tyres can be costing you a significant amount of money and compromising your safety even without obvious initial signs.
What Are The 3 Main Risks Associated With Underinflated Tyres?
Understanding the risks of underinflated tyres is important for every driver out on the road as it directly impacts everything from your car’s handling to its fuel efficiency and the longevity of your tyres. So lets jump right in to the 3 primary hazards associated with underinflated tyres that every motorist should be aware of.
1. Loss Of Fuel Efficiency
When a tyre is underinflated, more of its surface area touches the road. This increases what’s called “rolling resistance.” Essentially, your engine has to work harder to overcome this resistance, leading directly to higher fuel consumption.
Studies show that for every 1 PSI (pound per square inch) your tyres are underinflated, your fuel efficiency can drop by approximately 0.2%. While that might sound small, compounded across all four tyres and over thousands of kilometres of driving New Zealand’s varied terrain, it can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars extra in fuel costs annually. In a time of rising fuel prices, keeping on top of correct tyre pressure is one of the easiest ways to get the most out of that tank of fuel.
2. Accelerated Tyre Wear
Underinflation doesn’t just waste fuel, it also dramatically shortens the lifespan of your tyres. This is because when a tyre is underinflated, it is subject to additional heat buildup due to the increased flexing of the tyre walls, which can over time degrade the internal and external components of the tyre. Uneven wear patterns and premature replacement, plus the increased risk of serious tyre failure are just some of the risks.
3. Loss Of Control
Underinflated tyres can be a serious safety hazard resulting in:
- Reduced Handling And Response: The tyre may feel “sloppy” and less responsive, making it harder to steer accurately and compromising your ability to react to sudden obstacles or changes in road conditions.
- Increased Braking Distances: Similar to low tread, underinflation can reduce the tyre’s contact effectiveness, leading to longer stopping distances.
- Loss Of Stability: Underinflated tyres can cause the vehicle to feel unstable and less predictable, especially when cornering or in an emergency manoeuvre.
- Higher Risk Of Blowouts: Prolonged stress and heat can lead to a sudden tyre failure, which is incredibly dangerous, particularly when travelling at speed.
How To Find Your Car’s Recommended Tyre Pressure
Every vehicle has a manufacturer-recommended tyre pressure specifically engineered for optimal performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. This isn’t a generic number, but one tailored to your specific car model and its weight distribution. You can usually find your vehicle’s recommended tyre pressure in one of these locations:
- On the driver’s side door jamb on a sticker
- Inside the fuel filler flap
- In your vehicle’s owner’s manual
The sticker or manual will typically list two sets of pressures: one for normal load and one for a fully loaded vehicle or towing. Always use the “cold” pressure recommendation, which means checking them when the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours or has only travelled a short distance at low speed. If you have aftermarket wheels and tyres, visit your local Mag & Turbo tyre centre for the ideal tyre pressures for your set up.
Make a habit of checking your tyre pressures at least once a month, and always before a long road trip. It takes only a few minutes at a petrol station or with your own reliable pressure gauge. Remember to check them when the tyres are “cold” for the most accurate reading. Even a slight drop in temperature can cause tyre pressure to decrease, so regular checks are essential throughout the year.
3. Tyre Rotation
Tyre rotation is a pretty straightforward maintenance task that plays a surprisingly significant role in maximising the life and performance of your tyres. The process involves periodically moving your vehicle’s tyres to different positions around the car to even out wear and tear.
What Is Tyre Rotation And Why Is It Important?
The reason for rotating tyres is simple, your car tyres wear differently depending on their position on the vehicle. For example, for front wheel drive vehicles, the front tyres handle steering, braking, and engine power, leading them to wear faster and often more on their outer edges. Whereas rear tyres primarily free-roll and tend to wear more evenly by comparison. For rear wheel drive vehicles, the rear tyres are the ones doing most of the work so they tend to wear more quickly. Factors like engine weight, passenger load, and even individual driving habits (e.g. hard cornering) can also contribute to uneven wear on your tyres.
4 Benefits Of Rotating Your Tyres
By rotating your tyres, you ensure that each tyre experiences different stresses and wears more evenly across its lifespan. This leads to several benefits:
- Tyre Lifespan Is Maximised. Even wear means you get the most kilometres out of your entire set of tyres, delaying the need for replacement. This is a direct cost saving.
- More Consistent Performance. Tyres with even wear provide more consistent grip, handling, and braking performance across all four wheels, contributing to safer driving.
- Smoother Ride. Unevenly worn tyres can lead to vibrations and noise, making your ride less comfortable. Rotation helps maintain a smoother, quieter experience.
- Reduced Road Noise. As tyres wear, certain patterns can develop that contribute to increased road noise. Rotating them helps to mitigate this.
Recommended Rotation Intervals
Most tyre manufacturers and automotive experts recommend rotating your tyres every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres, or approximately every six months. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific recommendations, as some manufacturers may have slightly different guidelines.
Common Rotation Patterns
The exact rotation pattern of your tyres depends on your vehicle’s drive type (FWD, RWD, or AWD) and whether your tyres are “directional” (designed to roll in only one direction) or “non-directional.”
If unsure, your local tyre service centre technician will know the correct rotation pattern for your specific vehicle and tyre type. This simple service is an investment that pays off in safety, comfort, and peace of mind!
4. Wheel Alignment And Tyre Balancing
While the two often get confused, wheel alignment and tyre balancing are two distinctly separate aspects of tyre and vehicle maintenance. But they do work in tandem to ensure your tyres wear evenly, your vehicle handles correctly, and your ride is smooth and comfortable.
What Is A Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment refers to the precise angles of your vehicle’s wheels relative to each other and to the road. It involves adjusting three primary parameters – the camber (the inward or outward tilt of the tyre), the toe (the extent to which the tyres turn inward or outward when viewed from above) and lastly the caster (the angle of the steering axis in relation to a vertical line). These angles affect steering stability and cornering and are meticulously set by your vehicle manufacturer for optimal handling, tyre wear, and safety.
What Is Tyre Balancing?
If a tyre is unbalanced, it means there’s a heavy spot on the wheel that causes it to “wobble” or “hop” as it spins at speed. Tyre balancing deals with this even distribution of weight around the entire circumference of the wheel and tyre assembly. Even a brand-new tyre and wheel will have slight weight variations. To counteract these imbalances, small weights are added to the rim’s edge during the balancing process.
7 Signs You Need Wheel Alignment And/Or Balancing
Your vehicle will often tell you when something is a bit off with your wheel alignment or balancing. Here are the most common signs that something is up:
- Uneven Tyre Wear. If the inner or outer edge of your tyre is wearing significantly faster than the rest of the tread this is a strong indicator of an alignment issue.
- Vehicle Pulling To One Side. If you notice your car consistently drifting or pulling in one direction when driving on a straight, level road, your alignment is likely off.
- Crooked Steering Wheel. When driving straight, your steering wheel should be perfectly centred, if it’s turned slightly to one side, even though you’re going straight, that’s a clear sign of wheel misalignment.
- Squealing Tyres. Tyres that squeal during normal turns (not hard cornering) can indicate that they are dragging or scrubbing due to incorrect toe angles.
- Steering Wheel Vibrations. A classic symptom of unbalanced front tyres, the vibration typically becomes more noticeable at certain speeds and then might smooth out at higher speeds.
- “Scalloped” or “Cupped” Tyre Wear. While sometimes related to worn suspension, an out-of-balance tyre can cause a distinct “cupped” or “scalloped” wear pattern around the circumference of the tyre.
- Increased Road Noise. An unbalanced tyre can create an annoying humming or thrumming sound as you drive.
How Potholes, Kerbs, And NZ Roads Might Affect Wheel Alignment
New Zealand drivers are prone to encountering road hazards such as potholes, rough gravel sections, speed bumps, and even accidental kerb strikes. These common occurrences can easily knock your vehicle’s delicate wheel alignment out of whack. Even seemingly minor impacts can shift the angles by fractions of a degree, which is enough to cause problems over time with normal wear and tear.
5 Benefits Of Getting A Wheel Alignment
Getting a wheel alignment for your vehicle offers a wide range of benefits, impacting safety, performance, and your wallet. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages:
- Increased Lifespan Of your Tyres. Proper alignment ensures that the tyres make even contact with the road, distributing wear uniformly across the tread. This can significantly extend the life of your tyres, saving you money on frequent replacements.
- Improved Fuel Efficiency. When wheels are misaligned, they create increased friction and resistance, forcing your engine to work harder to propel the vehicle forward. This leads to higher fuel consumption. Properly aligned wheels roll more smoothly, reducing resistance and improving your gas mileage.
- Enhanced Safety And Handling. Misaligned wheels can cause your car to pull to one side requiring constant correction while driving. This can be dangerous, especially at high speeds or in emergency situations. A correct alignment ensures your vehicle drives straight and responds accurately to your steering inputs, giving you better control and reducing the risk of accidents.
- Smoother And Quieter Ride. When wheels are correctly aligned, they rotate smoothly, reducing these vibrations and unwanted road noise.
- Reduced Wear And Tear On Vehicle Components. Misalignment puts unnecessary stress on various parts of your vehicle’s suspension and steering systems. Over time, this can lead to premature wear and tear, potentially resulting in costly repairs. Regular alignments help reduce this strain, extending the lifespan of these components.
At Mag & Turbo we’re committed to helping New Zealanders drive safely, our expert technicians are here to provide comprehensive tyre checks, professional advice, and all types of tyre services – from pressure checks and rotations to precise alignments and balancing. Don’t wait until it’s too late – make tyre maintenance with Mag & Turbo a priority today!
