HNB General Blog

We have mentioned that hot, humid conditions worsen the situation as it leads to excess heating and a poorly inflated tire hurts the fuel economy of your vehicle. Sometimes, the reverse is true- if your tires are overinflated they are more likely to run into damage from bumpy roads and potholes, which can lead to more flat tires.  Check out these tips below to protect your tires;

1. Check your tire pressure frequently

Look at your air pressure often-once or twice a month should be sufficient. We strongly suggest you check your owner’s manual about air pressure information. Ensure that you use a quality air pressure gauge from a reputable garage/fuel station, and fill up the air in your spare tire.

Note: If you hear a hissing sound whenever you check the pressure, readjust the gauge. You need to have a tight seal to get the correct reading.

2. Are your tire treads worn out?

Sometimes, just looking at your tires and trying to ascertain how worn out they are is pretty difficult to the trained eye. This is why it’s best that you request the help of a mechanic. Excessive wear and tear at the center and sides of the tire can lead to problems with handling. Sometimes, uneven wear patterns are due to alignment issues or by not properly inflating your tire correctly. So keep an eye out and stay good friends with your mechanic!

3. Changing your Oil? Don’t forget to rotate your tires as well

Here’s an interesting thing you may not be aware about; the weight of your vehicle is distributed unevenly. To ensure that your tires don’t have uneven wear patterns, make it a point to rotate your tires often. A good tip is rotating them on the same day you go to change your oil. If you need more information about how often you should rotate them, check your owner’s manual or speak to your mechanic.

4. Whenever possible, avoid construction sites and hazardous road conditions

As we have highlighted in the past, Sri Lanka is home to a number of potholes (link pothole article). Furthermore, we always suggest that motorists try alternative routes whenever possible. For example, if there is a construction site which you encounter often, do try to avoid that if you can as you can face a lot of debris and sharp rocks which can damage to your tires. In addition, be wary when driving past an area which has had a road accident- there can be broken glass which is the last thing your tires would want to encounter.

5. Keep in touch and get information about faulty tires and recalls

Sometimes, tires with defects can lead to the tire tread becoming separated from the base of the tire. This can be due to faulty, older manufacturing materials or other factors. A good way to stay on top of this is to establish a relationship with your local vehicle dealer or subscribe to Car Company’s official newsletter. This way, you won’t be out of the loop if some news were to arrive.

6. Don’t Overload Your Car or vehicle

Pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised as to how often this happens. If you’re unsure about how much your vehicle can take, check your tire/vehicle manual. Sometimes, the maximum load rating will be mentioned in your time. If you still don’t know, ask your mechanic. You don’t want to overload your tires as they will undergo a lot more stress and are more likely to fail when you need them the most.