While we can’t really pinpoint what is the most important component of a car is, we are fairly certain that tyres rank much higher on the list. As the only part of a car that is in direct contact with the road, a good tyre becomes crucial if you want to remain safe and enjoy your ride. However, tyres can be very costly to maintain and replace.
This is why many car owners try to find a good deal for them, often opting for cheap tyres. Now, we know that a cheap tyre isn’t necessarily wrong for you if it is of good quality. But there are still things you can do to make the most of it.
Check For Tread Depth
When you buy cheap tyres Milton Keynes, pay attention to the tread. Tread design and depth are crucial for traction and road grip. If the tread is shallow, it will fail to grip the road properly. Thus, make sure your cheap tyres have a much deeper tread. Also note that, legally, your tyres should have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Anything less, and you will fail your MOT. There is also a fine of up to £2,500 for driving with such tyres.
Although most high-end tyres come with some type of tread wear indicator, it is unlikely that you will find this feature on a cheap tyre. But, you can still do regular manual checks on your tyres using a 20p coin. All you have to do is insert the coin into the tread groove and watch out for its outer band, if you can’t see it, then your tyre is legally fit for roads.
Ensure Correct Pressure
If you want your cheap tyres to last and perform optimally, then you must ensure the correct tyre pressure at all times. Do manual checks on your tyres regularly to find out the air pressure and make sure they are not underinflated or overinflated. Both under inflation and over inflation can cause your tyres to wear out much faster. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that it is also something checked in an MOT. So, making a habit of keeping your tyres at the correct pressure will only help.
Proper Tyre Rotation
Another thing you can do for your tyres is to make tyre rotation a habit. If you are worried about costs, then you can either look up mobile tyre fitting Milton Keynes or even do it yourself. Mobile tyre fitting is unlike conventional brick-and-mortar shops. These service providers come to you at your convenience and help you with whatever tyre needs you have, all at a much cheaper price.
Coming back to tyre rotation, it is basically changing your front and rear tyre positions. This improves your tyres’ lifespan and helps with even wearing off your tyres. Typically, your front tyres undergo more wear and tear as the pressure on them is much greater. Thus, they tend to wear off much faster. If you continue driving in such conditions, even your rear tyres will deteriorate that fast. Thus, by changing or rotating the position of these tyres, you help spread the wearing, making it more even.
It is also economical, as you don't have to spend that much money on tyre replacement if your current tyres last a bit longer. Furthermore, they also help with fuel efficiency. Try to rotate tyres every 4000 to 6000 miles for the best results.
Regular Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is equally important for your tyres. It helps with their longevity. If your wheels are misaligned, even by a few millimeters, it can have dire consequences for your tyres. The stress on your tyres will increase, making them wear out much faster. You will also increase the risk of tyre blowouts or punctures, thus spending more money on repairs and replacements. Always be on the lookout for misaligned tyres. If you feel vibrations when driving or if your car pulls to a side, these can be signs of misaligned wheels.
Make Use of Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance
You can always make good use of the tyre and alloy wheel insurance. This type of insurance is not that widely known, but it offers both repairs and replacements. Thus, if needed, you can utilize the insurance to make sure nothing goes wrong with the tyres. Then there is also the warranty. Most warranties cover repairs, and some even offer replacements. So by using both the insurance and warranty policies, you can save a lot of cost in any unforeseen event.
Don’t think that such insurance is only good for high-end or costly tyres. Even if you are rocking cheap budget tyres, they would be expensive to repair or replace. And in that case, your insurance will help.
Change Your Driving Style
Lastly, you can change your driving style to make sure your tyres last longer. If you are accustomed to driving fast, then you can try to drive at a much more stable speed. Furthermore, you can avoid sudden braking. All this puts a lot of stress on tyres. You can also avoid potholes and debris on the road to make sure your tyres don’t get damaged. Be extra careful when parking to ensure you're not hitting the curb. Accelerate or brake smoothly and not suddenly. These are a few things you could do to prolong the life of your tyres.