Quality between you and the road

When it comes to your safety when driving any form of vehicle, it is always key to check it over on a regular basis to ensure that it is safe to be on the road. There are many things that need to be checked, from lights to seatbelts, and some of these checks you should be able to manage to do on your own. However, there will be a couple of things that you would need another person or even a mirror to help you check.

Something that you should check regularly is the condition of your tyres, as these are one of the components most vulnerable to wear. Here is a list of what you should do:

Tyre Check List

• Check that your pressures are correct, including your spare if your vehicle has one. If you're not sure what the pressure should be, you can find it in several places. On most vehicles, there's a plate on one of the door wells on the inside under the door latch, however, if it is not there, refer to your owner's manual if you have it. Keeping your pressures correct will save you money on fuel and also make it more fuel efficient.

• See how much tread you have left on the tyres. This can be done simply by using a tyre depth gauge, which are available at any good auto parts centre.

• Jack the vehicle up (if safe to do so), making sure the wheel is off the ground and slowly spin the while so you can inspect the tread for any foreign objects or cracks and repeat this on all of the other tyres. If you find either, it's advised to have your tyres looked at by a tyre fitter who will advise you what to do if any action is required.

• Look at the tyre walls and check to see if there are any signs of cuts, tears or bulges, as any sign of these could become a problem and the tyre should be changed as soon as possible.

• Have a look at the tread wear pattern looking for any visible sign of any uneven tyre wear. If there is any uneven wear, then there is a chance that your tracking is out and needs realignment.

Following these checks and ensuring that you do not have any faults will not just save you money but will increase your safety on the road. Any defect could have an effect on how your vehicle hands in different conditions. It is also advised that you have your brakes checked if your pedal feels soft under braking or your brakes are noisy.  

Contact a company that offers tyre safety checks for more information and assistance.