How to maintain your wheels and tyres

We all know that our cars' tyres and the wheels they are fitted to, are the only thing that stand between us and a sticky end. How many of us actually bother to check either of these vital components on a regular basis though? If you need a quick lesson on how to maintain them, read on.

Your tyres

Did you know that the total contact patch with the road of all four tyres on an average car is no larger than a piece of A4 paper? It's a bit shocking. You need to devote regular time and attention to making sure that they are in good condition. Weekly routine
Try to set a weekly routine to ensure that you keep on top your car maintenance. You can combine tyre checks with oil, water and brake fluid to keep you and your family safe. The first thing that you need to check where your tyres are concerned is that there is no damage. Make a visual inspection of the tyre wall and feel around the inside for bulges, splits or wear. Inspect the tread looking for trapped stones and uneven wear. Check and adjust the pressures, keeping a note of them, so that you can tell if there is any significant drop that may indicate a slow puncture. When you have completed your checks, it is worth using a tyre dressing compound as it helps to protect the tyre from UV and chemical damage (it also makes them look newer as a bonus).

Wheel care

Most modern car rims are alloys. These look lovely when new and have the advantage of reducing the unsprung weight of your car, thus aiding the handling. The downside is that they deteriorate quicker than their older steel counterparts. Examine the wheels As part of your weekly checks you should include your wheels. Examine them for chips, bends and cracks and ensure that the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct torque. When you have to take a wheel off the car for any reason, apply a coat of copper grease to the hub and the wheel studs, as this helps to prevent seizing. Caring for your alloys takes time and effort. Modern brake pad materials leave heavy dust deposits on the wheels and tyres, and this eats into the alloy lacquer. This dust needs to be removed regularly or the damage will be permanent. It's well worth investing in specialist alloy cleaner for this task and follow it up with several coats of wax to offer greater protection. Finally, consider taking your car to a tyre balancer. The balancing process will help account for the wear that has occurred and improve the car's comfort.