India is a country that is developing at a fast pace. With the booming advancements in various fields of medicine, science and technology, petroleum & oil and gas industry, industrialization of India has taken a front seat when it comes to development.
If there’s one thing Indian’s will agree upon unanimously, it’s the fact that Indian roads are not great to drive on! At its core, there are two major problems we have as Indian drivers. One, that the traffic even outside of peak hours is bad and two, that the roads are undependable. Since there’s not much that can be done about the roads, it doesn’t hurt to give your chariots a.k.a cars a little bit of tender, loving care. Here’s our list of things you can do to take care of your tyres.
Tyre types and vehicle types:
The first step to ideal tyre care and maintenance is identifying your tyre type. This is the primary and easiest step. Depending on which type of four-wheeler you own, you can further identify which tyres are best for your vehicle. It is reliant on the kind of traction, seasonal quality and responsiveness to handling, which are the factors you should be inclined towards. There are two primary categories, that of Passenger vehicles and SUV/Van type vehicles.
Passenger vehicle tyres are designed to work with lighter more commercial vehicles that can be used on a day-today basis without the intention of heavy or off-road usage. These primarily include sedans and crossover utility vehicles. The performance here is dependent on the type of vehicle you drive and it’s manufacturer specifications.
SUV tyres are more dependent on the usage of the vehicle. Since these are vehicles that can be used interchangeably as transport vehicles and family usage, off-road driving on rough and aggressive terrain and tourism. The performance is dependent mainly on the conditions of the road so you may be looking for something that can be classified as ‘All terrain’ or ‘Off road’ tyre. Be sure to look into your garage mechanic’s recommendations and your vehicles manufacturer notes before making a purchase or changing a tyre out.
As an added benefit, we also advise you to check on the status of your wheels for optimal performance, when you get your tyre changed. Tyre burnouts can occur if there is resistance from the wheel that is causing friction. The most common solution to this is to use a reliable automotive grease to smoothen out functioning and prevent any lasting damage.
Maintenance, repairs and pressure:
Based on your vehicle type and usage, it is advised to get maintenance done at the very least every six months of using your car intensively. Though most tyres are made of durable compounds, they undergo wear under a variety of conditions. Temperature, weather, usage are only a few of the many factors that need to be considered when performing tyre maintenance. Be sure to take your car out to the mechanic before you decide to change or fill up a tyre yourself.
If you have a worn or damaged tyre, avoid driving altogether. A worn, flat or damaged tyre can cause mishaps or accidents on-road. It’s best to identify the problem and decide on whether you should go to the mechanic personally or call one over.
Tyre pressure is an important aspect of tyre maintenance, over and underinflation of tyres can lead to various problems of their own and cause tyre bursts and burnouts respectively. Ensure you check your tyre pressure every-time you refuel and make sure it is upto standard based on manufacturer notes. Usually, Indian vehicles maintain tyre pressure between 25 to 40 PSI.
Common tyre problems and solutions:
Other than the major decisions you need to make when performing tyre maintenance, there are a few common problems that can reduce their life.
As mentioned above, overinflation and underinflation are primary causes for this problem. When your car tyres are overinflated, you risk the safety of every drive. This is because the tyres make less contact with the road. The stress generated at these times can cause the durability to shorten and tyre bursts as well. It is the contrary for Underinflation.
Underinflation can cause a discrepancy in steering performance and cause accidents or even tyre burnouts due to excessive contact with the road.
To avoid this, make sure your tyre pressure is optimal and the tyres have proper inflation to match the tread movement across the road. Driving at high speeds is also a reason for wear, this can cause cracking due to increased rapid friction being inflicted on your tyres and cracking can cause further problems. Cracking is usually a sign that your tyres are getting old and you need a replacement.
It isn’t surprising that one would look online for the best ways to maintain one’s tyres especially while being caught up with the various confusing ways we Indian’s drive and follow traffic rules. We hope our guide lends some insight as to how you can take action when your tyres have a problem. For all your car care needs and maintenance guides, take a gander at our blogs on the Divyol by Gandhar Oil Refinery.