| Tread Depth |
What is the legal tread depth for tyres in good condition in India. |
| Run Flat Damage |
Breakdown of the tyre's structural integrity. |
| Secondary Damage |
Caused by tyres getting injured by another object. |
| Aging |
Deterioration of rubber. |
| Bead Damage |
Visible damage to Bead of the tyre. |
| Exposed Chords |
The tyre chords that make up the tyre are visible. |
| Faulty Repair |
Previous repairs that were not correctly done. |
| Valve Check |
'Valves help to maintain tyre pressure and permit air to be added or removed.
The valve in your wheel is a small but very important part of your vehicle as far as safety and tyre life is concerned. It holds the pressure inside the tyre assembly and is the access point to adjust your tyre pressure. A valve cap in good condition is also essential as it provides a secondary seal and prevents dirt from getting inside.
Valves can be made from rubber which deteriorates with age and use. Valves can become damaged or worn but will inevitably deteriorate through ageing, the force they are subjected to while driving and exposure to the elements. They are relatively inexpensive yet vital to the performance of tyres and your safety. Manufacturers recommend valves are replaced every time your tyres are changed.
An increasing number of vehicle makes and models have pressure sensor valves. The sensors feed back automatically by way of either an audible warning or via driver display and some show variations to the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressure.' |
| Tyre Check |
There could be a number of factors that are causing problems with your tyres. Below is a list of important things to check before you head away.
- Look for things embedded in each tyre. Regularly examine the tyres for damage; bumps or bulges, foreign objects, cuts, cracks and tread wear (often a result of kerbing/scraping). Replace the tyre if damage is evident.
- Are there nails, stones, or other debris embedded in the treads? Remove them. But if you're going to remove a nail, first make sure that your spare tyre is inflated and in warrantable shape.
- If you hear a hissing sound when you pull a nail, push the nail back in quickly and take the tyre to be fixed. If you aren't sure whether air is escaping, put some soapy water on the hole and look for the bubbles made by escaping air. If you're still not sure whether the nail may have caused a leak, check your air pressure and then check it again the next day to see whether it's lower. Tyres with leaks should be repaired by a tyre professional. If the leak persists, get a new tyre.
- Look at the sidewalls. Check for deeply scuffed or worn areas, bulges or bubbles, small slits, or holes.
- Look at the tyre pressure. Tyre pressures are vital for balanced braking, maximum grip and maximum tyre life. Recommended pressures vary according to load or speed. The part of the tyre in contact with the road is the 'footprint'. Incorrect tyre pressures will cause rapid wear and shorter tyre life. Check the pressure in your tyres regularly and when the car has been parked for at least three hours. If you think a tyre might be low, try and check it immediately with a tyre gauge and do not forget your spare tyre! The recommended cold tyre pressures are usually given on the tyre information label that is frequently found on the front or rear doorjamb on the driver's side, in the centre console, the inside of the glovebox lid, or in the vehicle handbook. The pressure can be checked at the majority of service stations.
- Underinflated tyres wear out faster, create excessive heat, increase fuel consumption, and make your car harder to handle. Overinflated tyres are more easily damaged by road debris, wear out faster, and may make the car unstable and unsafe to handle. And a new set of tyres on wheels that are out of alignment can wear irreversibly in as little as one day of hard driving!
- Look at the treads. Most car tyres have tread-wear indicators built into them. These bars of hard rubber are normally difficult to see in a new tyre but appear across treads that have been worn down to 1.5mm of the tyre tread base (the legal limit). If these indicators appear in two or three different places, less than 120 degrees apart on the circumference of the tyre, replace the tyre. Snow or winter tyres legally must have 4.0mm of tread depth and be a matched set.
- If your tyres don't show these indicators and you think that they may be worn below legal the limit, visit your tyre professional for a free tread depth check. Pay attention to leaks. If you keep losing air in your tyres, have your local service station or tyre shop check them for leaks. Sometimes an ill-fitting rim, leaking valve stem or valve.
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| Pressure Loss |
If your tyre is losing pressure in lesser time than usual, get it checked for a puncture, crack or faulty valve.
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| Groove Blocks |
Regular cleaning of tiny stones or dirt stuck in the grooves prevents the tyre from getting damaged in the long run and help in extending its life.
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| Speed Rating Check |
While buying new tyres do not forget to check whether the speed rating of your tyre matches with your vehicle.
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| Load Index |
While buying new tyres do not forget to check if the load index of the tyre matches with the kind of weight you carry in your vehicle.
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| Fitting Check |
Whether you are installing new tyres or reinstalling the tyres after the puncture fix, check if the tyre is evenly fitted on the rim.
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| Air Pumping |
Air pumping out of the tyre because of the tyre getting pressed because of weight and movement.
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