TYRE SAFETY Maintaining your tyres and purchasing replacements on time which, in the long run, actually save you money

MAINTAINING your tyres and purchasing replacements on time which, in the long run, actually save you money. For example, correctly inflated tyres increase fuel efficiency. Furthermore, if your tyres are all inflated correctly they will wear more evenly, meaning that when you do have to replace them you can do so in twos and fours which will also save you money.

For recommendations on the optimum inflation level check your door panel.

Rotating your tyres regularly, every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, will also keep the wear even throughout all four tyres.

When it comes to replacing your tyres it’s important you choose a reputable garage and an Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) member. They will be well versed in all current tyre safety and best practise in tyre repairs and fitting.

Your tyre depth should be a minimum 1.6mm, but while that is the legal requirement, this is not recommended especially for adverse weather. The minimum tread should be at least 3mm. Ask your ITIA tyre outlet about the current ‘S’ mark legislation on tyres to make sure you purchase quality tyres that comply with the recently upgraded legal requirement.

Age is another critical factor when it comes to the health of your tyres. Tyres deteriorate naturally through exposure to heat, sunlight, rain and general weathering. The process of the tyre degrading can depend on the amount of exposure and the severity of the weather.

In everyday vehicles, tyres almost certainly will wear out before they degrade to such an extent they are unusable. Tyres more than 10 years old, including your spare tyres, should be replaced, even if they appear to be in good condition and above the legal tread wear limit of 1.6mm.

To check the age of your tyres look on the tyre sidewall, the serial number comprises of a four-digit code which refers to the tyre’s date of manufacture (the last two digits refer to the year of manufacture and the first two the week in that year e.g. 2017 is week 20 of 2017).

Tyre aging increases the risk of tyre failure which may include a blow-out while being driven.

Research has found that, on average, 14 road deaths a year in this country are caused by poorly maintained tyres.

The reason for this is that most people don’t think about the condition of their tyres until they need to. People don’t think about what a worn tyre might cost them, what you might lose contact with when your tyres lose grip with the road.