As of: February 22, 2024, 7:20 p.m
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The tires on our cars often receive too little attention.
Modern tires are not that demanding if you follow a few rules.
Here you are.
Tires are often the stepchildren of our cars.
Hardly anyone really pays attention to the condition of their tires and handles them with care.
They are the only direct connection between the car and the road.
A minimal contact area, barely larger than two postcards per tire, determines driving behavior and braking distance, fuel consumption and steering behavior - yes, in extreme cases even life and death.
These are the best arguments to take better care of your tires in the future.
Here are the ten best tips:
1. Make sure your tire pressure is correct
Checking tire pressure regularly (ideally once a month) is the easiest way to ensure a long tire life.
And for a safe journey.
If the tire pressure is just half a bar too low, the driving characteristics, braking distance and cornering position change.
In addition, wear and rolling resistance and thus consumption increase.
Tests have shown that a tire pressure that is 20 percent too low leads to up to 30 percent more tire wear.
On most models, the recommended tire pressure is listed in the fuel filler flap or in the entry area on the driver's side.
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2. Drive with feeling: be careful on curbs
Roughly driving over curbs can damage the tire structure.
The tire sidewall in particular is quickly destroyed and can no longer be repaired.
An exchange is absolutely necessary.
Tip: Always drive over curbs as slowly as possible and at a right angle.
3. Go on a car diet: Too much weight can damage the tires
Especially for older tires, exceeding the total weight is pure poison.
They can even burst.
The combination of high weight, high outside temperatures and low tire pressure cause permanent damage to the tire.
Therefore, pay attention to the load and clear excess items from the car.
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In addition to the tread depth of a tire, the correct air pressure should also be checked regularly.
(Symbolic image) © photothek/Imago
4. Remove foreign bodies from the tire professionally
Sharp objects in the rubber, such as nails, must be professionally removed as quickly as possible before they dig into the inside of the tire.
If the foreign bodies are in the tread, the tire can often be repaired with a special kit for a few euros.
If they are in the sidewall, the tire needs to be replaced.
5. Clean tires properly
High-pressure cleaners with their sharp, often hot water jets are a problem for every tire.
If it hits the sides at a right angle, the water jets act like arrows and can attack the tissue, make it brittle or even destroy it.
Any kind of harsh cleaners with solvents, oils and chemicals are also taboo.
It's best to clean your tires with clear water and a little detergent or soap and a coarse brush.
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6. Is your alignment correct?
Correct wheel alignment prevents uneven tire wear.
If the axles are set incorrectly, one-sided wear occurs.
Experts therefore recommend having your wheel alignment checked at least once a year.
7. This way the tire runs smoothly again
A smoothly running wheel is the basis for driving safety and comfort.
Only if the tire is correctly balanced can it optimally bring its properties to the road.
Even driving through potholes or hitting a curb can cause imbalance.
This leads to steering wheel flutter, higher noise, poorer driving characteristics and increased wear.
Balancing the tires is only possible in the workshop and with appropriate equipment.
The costs for this are around 20 to 30 euros per set.
8. Proper storage is important
Where to put the tires after changing them?
If the tires are stored at home, the place should be as cool, dry and dark as possible.
Garages or basements are ideal.
Never stack more than four tires on top of each other and avoid one-sided loads.
It is best to store complete wheels lying flat or hanging, with tires without rims standing upright.
Be careful: do not allow it to come into contact with fats, oils or fuels.
Stack tires cleanly and safely
So that the tires last a long time and are tidy, we recommend a so-called rim tree
(promotional link)
.
These are available for little money and the tires can be stored in a space-saving and professional manner.
9. The old tires have to come off
Depending on your driving style, tires last an average of 40,000 kilometers.
There is no guideline as to when tires should be replaced.
As long as the legally required minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters is maintained, tires can continue to be used.
However, aggressive driving, direct sunlight or damage can cause tires to age more quickly.
With old tires, the material hardens, the rubber becomes brittle, small cracks appear, and the grip deteriorates significantly.
Experts recommend replacing tires after six years at the latest.
10. Don't overdo it
Each tire is built and approved for a specific maximum speed.
The so-called speed index on the side of the tire provides information about how fast the tires can travel.
The speed index ranges from P (up to 150 km/h) to ZR (over 240 km/h).
This is tested by the tire manufacturers in the laboratory on the roller test bench.
If tires are driven well above the permitted maximum speed for too long, they become too warm, the tread may become detached and the tire may even burst.
(Tomas Hirschberger/SP-X)