Proper and regular maintenance will enable your car tyres to serve you for a relatively longer period. This includes proper inflation, balancing, and rotation. They will also wear out evenly unless the suspension system is itself worn out.
When you carry regular maintenance, there are ways by which you can determine normal wear so that you can establish when you need to replace the tyres.
Checking the tread pattern
The most important thing you should check to determine wear on your winter and summer tyres is the tread pattern. There are tread wear indicators or bars that resemble small ridges, which may either extend over the treads or rise between them. The tread wear bars will start showing when the tread is worn to 1/16 of its surface layer, which is the legal limitation in many parts of the world.
When you notice that the indicators show in at least two sections within a 120-degree radius, it is time to replace the tyre.
The penny test can help you to measure the tread. This involves placing a penny between the thickest tread areas with Lincoln’s head facing up. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you need to replace your winter or summer tyres.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Liquid Tyre Repair
When your car develops a flat tyre along the road, a liquid tyre repair can save your day. There are liquid tyre repair kits that you can use to fix the problem temporarily so that you can take it for proper repair. Some of them can serve you for many miles, which will be very helpful if there is no repair shop nearby.
The Liquid tyre repair has its benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of.
Advantages
One of the greatest benefits of liquid tyre repair is that it helps you to avoid getting stranded where help may be difficult to come by. It can seal a leak and patch a small tear instantly, allowing you to use the tyre for several miles.
In addition to being quick, liquid tyre repair is relatively cheap. The prices of different kits range from £5 to £50. You will thus save both time and money.
Disadvantages
The efficiency of a liquid tyre repair is also its undoing, as it may create a false sense of security. Always remember that it should only be used as a temporary fix. Using it for extended periods may lead to such problems as tyre blowouts.
You need to take great care because the liquid tyre repair can easily turn messy. Take care so that the sticky liquid does not get onto your hands or other parts of your car.
Making Proper Use of a Tyre Repair Kit
It is a good idea to carry a tyre repair kit in your vehicle for those emergency situations that can leave you stranded in a secluded place along the road. Do not assume that your new and strong tyres cannot fail.
A tyre repair kit contains vulcanizer, self-sealing strip tape, a tool for enlarging small holes, and another one for pushing the strip into the hole.
You should also have a pressure gauge that can measure from 0 to 50 psi. A pair of pliers will also come in handy when you need to remove the thing that punctured the tyre. In addition, buy extra plugging strip because you can use them in all types of punctures.
You need to remove whatever caused the puncture completely before you start sealing. Apply some rubber cement to the tip of a patch-kit probe and insert it into the hole. Twist the probe from side to side and slide it in and out so as to clean the puncture and apply the rubber cement.
Take a repair strip and apply it to the probe’s eye until it reaches about the center. Add some rubber cement and push the probe into the puncture for just about ¼ of an inch.
Remove the probe by twisting it, leaving the patch in the tyre. Place the repair strip very close to the surface of the tyre. Then re-fill the tyre with air to the required pressure.
Is it Risky to Use Patched Tyre Sidewall?
The tyre sidewall plays an important role in the safety of your vehicle. The tyre sidewall simply refers to both sides of the car tyres. Although you will not face many complications in regard to your tyre sidewall, there are instances where some problems may develop.
In many instances, you will deal with tyre problems along the tread, for this is where different items like nails and other sharp objects may get stuck, resulting in a flat tyre. However, there are times when you may have to deal with such things as a tear along the sidewall. Repairing the tyre sidewall is relatively more challenging than repairing the tread area.
Although the tyre sidewalls do not develop complications often, problems eventually arise. This may happen when you are on the highway and driving at a relatively high speed, which is a very dangerous situation because a tyre sidewall that has been punctured can shred the whole tyre immediately. This is a very dangerous situation that can put the lives of different people at risk, both those aboard and others who are nearby.
Is it risky to use a patched tire sidewall? Yes, it is very risky. You are strongly advised to avoid using a tire whose sidewall has been repaired.