TYRE AND WHEEL CHECKS

1 Setting the correct tyre pressures is a step in the right direction for optimising the handling and ride quality of a classic car, but also make sure the tread isn’t unevenly worn. The tyre on the right of the photograph has a worn inside edge, which initially suggests the tracking is misaligned. In reality this tyre has started to collapse because it’s unevenly worn around the edge.

2 The age and condition of your car’s tyres is important, so look for a four-digit code on the sidewall, which indicates the week number it was manufactured and the year. For instance, 3512 means the tyre was manufactured in week 35 of 2012. Tyres generally last for around six years. Fitting tyres of the same brand all round helps to optimise handling and ride quality. And make sure any marks showing the tyre’s rotation and inside/outside are correctly positioned.

3 Having the wheels balanced will ensure they are rotating true, which will in turn reduce the risk of unwanted vibrations through the steering wheel for the front wheels and all of the wheels under braking. In some case, it also helps with the ride quality in general. Most tyre fitters charge less than £10 to balance a wheel and will often include the cost in the price of fitting a new tyre.

4 The weight of the wheels and tyres is classed as an unsprung weight. The heavier these components are, the less they help with handling and ride quality. Try weighing your wheels and tyres. You may be surprised to discover they are not helping the ride quality of your car. If you know someone with the same car, but with different wheels and tyres, see if you can swap to try them out.