Tire Maintenance for Safe Driving

Check tire pressure regularly to protect your tire's "vital signs."

Tire pressure is considered a tire's "vital sign." Excessively high or low tire pressure can severely impact tire performance and driving safety. When tire pressure is too low, the contact area between the tire tread and the road increases significantly.

This, on the one hand, increases rolling resistance during driving, thereby increasing fuel consumption; on the other hand, the sidewalls become overly compressed and continuously heat up during driving. Long-term exposure to this condition can accelerate the aging of the sidewall rubber and, in severe cases, even lead to a blowout.

When tire pressure is too high, excessive pressure is applied to the center of the tire tread, causing accelerated wear in this area, resulting in "eccentric wear" and shortening the tire's overall lifespan. Furthermore, excessive tire pressure reduces the tire's grip on the road, significantly increasing braking distances and increasing the risk of skidding, especially in rainy or slippery conditions.

It's recommended that car owners develop a habit of checking tire pressure regularly, at least once a month. Measurements should be taken with the vehicle stationary and the tires cold (if measurements are required after driving, the vehicle should be parked for at least an hour). The measured values ​​should be based on the standard tire pressure indicated in the vehicle's owner's manual. Typically, the standard tire pressure range for family sedans is 2.2-2.5 bar.

Additionally, be sure to check tire pressure again before long trips and during seasonal changes (especially from winter to spring, when temperatures fluctuate significantly) to ensure it meets the standard. This will ensure safe driving during long journeys or seasonal changes.

Replace worn tires promptly to prevent safety hazards.

Tire tread patterns not only enhance grip but also quickly drain water from the tire during rainy weather, reducing aquaplaning. To help drivers determine whether their tires need replacement, tire manufacturers incorporate "wear markers" (commonly known as "safety lines") within the tread pattern. These are raised rubber strips, uniformly 1.6mm in height, typically located within the tread grooves. Some tires also include "TWI" (Tread Wear Indicator) next to the wear markers for easy identification.

When the tread wear is level with the wear markers, the tire's grip has significantly decreased. Braking performance on dry roads is significantly weakened, and driving in the rain is more prone to skidding and loss of control due to insufficient drainage. Tires must be replaced immediately; do not continue using them in the hope of avoiding further damage.

If you frequently drive in rainy areas or experience frequent rain on your daily commute, it's recommended to replace your tires when the tread depth drops below 3mm. Research shows that when the tread depth is between 3mm and 1.6mm, the tire's ability to dissipate water begins to decline significantly. Therefore, replacing your tires early can more effectively ensure rainy driving safety.

Regularly rotate your tires to even out wear and extend tire life.

During driving, the forces and functions of the front and rear wheels differ significantly, leading to different rates of wear. For example, in a typical front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle, the front wheels not only handle steering but also provide propulsion and withstand greater braking forces.

Therefore, the front wheels typically wear 20%-30% faster than the rear wheels. Even in rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive vehicles, the load distribution and force characteristics of the front and rear wheels can lead to uneven wear.

Failure to rotate tires for a long time can lead to premature failure of some tires due to excessive wear, while others, less worn and with ample room for use, waste resources. Uneven tire wear can also reduce vehicle stability and increase handling difficulties.

It is recommended that vehicle owners perform a "cross-rotation" of their tires every 10,000-20,000 kilometers. To do this, rotate the left front tire to the right rear and vice versa. (For four-wheel drive vehicles or special rotation requirements, please refer to the vehicle owner's manual.) It is important to note that after rotating tires, the change in their mounting position may cause steering wheel shake due to uneven weight distribution.

Therefore, the tires must be re-balanced after rotation. This involves adding weights to the rims to ensure even force distribution during high-speed rotation, thus preventing steering wheel shake and abnormal tire wear. Avoid "Damage" Operations to Reduce Excessive Tire Wear

Some poor driving habits during daily driving can cause "hidden damage" to tires, accelerating tire aging and damage, and shortening their service life.

For example, frequently running over curbs can cause severe scraping and squeezing of the tire sidewalls, which can easily cause cracks and bulges in the rubber. The sidewall is a relatively weak point in the tire structure. Once damaged, even if it doesn't appear serious on the surface, the internal cords may have broken, posing a risk of a blowout. Parking tires near sharp objects (such as gravel, broken glass, and nails) for extended periods can easily puncture the tread, leading to air leaks or blowouts.

Excessive overloading can cause tires to bear loads far exceeding their design specifications, placing excessive stress on the tread and sidewalls, accelerating rubber aging and cord fatigue, and increasing the risk of blowouts. During the hot summer months, parking a vehicle in direct sunlight for extended periods can cause the tires to continuously absorb heat, causing the rubber to age significantly faster and shortening their service life.

Therefore, in daily vehicle use, avoid these "damaging" actions as much as possible: When parking, choose a flat, debris-free surface, away from curbs; strictly adhere to vehicle weight limits when loading; and avoid overloading. During hot summer months, park in a cool, shady area (such as an underground parking lot or under the shade of a tree). If outdoor parking is unavoidable, cover the tires with a sunshade to reduce the impact of direct sunlight on the tires.