Greentour

Importance of tyre pressure

Having your tyres correctly inflated not only optimizes performance, but also leads to increased safety. You should therefore check the pressure of your tyres (not forgetting the spare tire) at least once a month and before long journeys.

What should my tyre pressure be?

The first step is knowing what your tyre pressure should be. You can find out what your vehicle's tyre pressure should be by looking in your vehicle owner's manual or on the little sticker on the inside of your driver's side car door for the recommended PSI.

How to check tyre pressure?

1) Purchase a certified air pressure gauge or take your vehicle to a nearby service center (or gas station) for a check-up.

2) Tyres must be checked in a “cold” state (at least three hours after driving).

3) Insert the gauge into the valve.

4) Compare the measured air pressure level with the level listed on the car door.

- In case of higher pressure than a recommendation, deflate your tyre to the recommended pressure.

- In case of lower pressure than a recommendation, inflate your tyre up to the recommended pressure.

Tires become worn over time

Having your tires correctly inflated not only optimizes performance, but also leads to increased safety. You should therefore check the pressure of your tyres (not forgetting the spare tire) at least once a month and before long journeys.

But how do you check tread levels?

Tread wear indicators, built into the main tread grooves, show the tread depth. A tyre must be changed as soon as it wears down to these indications. Tread depth remaining is then 1.6 mm, which corresponds to the legal minimum. Checking tyres for wear also involves getting them checked regularly, both inside and outside, by a tyre specialist.

Irregular Tyre Wear

Due to their circular design, tyres should have even wear on contact areas. However, in reality, irregular tyre wear is common. Uneven wear shortens tread life and can cause abnormal shaking in the vehicle. Causes of irregular wear include driving style, poorly serviced vehicle, incorrect air pressure and lax tyre rotation among others.

Tyre Rotation

Even wear on all tyres eliminates the need for tyre rotation. However, when irregular wear is detected, tyres must immediately be rotated. To prevent such uneven wear in advance, switching the location of tires is recommended every 7,500miles. In the case of snow tyres which use spike pins, care must be taken not to change the rotational direction of the tyres as the failure to do so may result in the loss of spikes.

Benefits of Tyre Rotation

Prevents irregular wear and extends tyre life.
Allows easy detection of irregular wear due to vehicle misalignment.
Enables easy repair of flat tyres.

Tyre Balance

Tire balancing compensates for the weight of the tyre and wheel assembly after the tyre is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. The result of bouncing or wobbling, which can decrease treadwear, increase vibration and cause stress on your vehicle. The balance correction weights are added to counterbalance the tyres.

When to Balance

A tyre is replaced.
A balance weight is moved or removed.
You purchase new tyres.

How Wheels are Balanced

To balance a wheel, your mechanic uses a balancing machine to determine where the heavy spots are. Weights are then attached to the exterior or interior of the wheel to counteract centrifugal forces acting on the heavy areas when the wheel is turning. This will eliminate vertical bouncing and side-to-side wobble.

Tread wear indicator

Tires have built-in tread wear indicators which mark the minimum allowable tread depth. The indicators are 4~6 small raised bars which run across the grooves of the tyre tread and are 1.6mm in height. Made to be clearly visible to consumers, the mark in the shoulder area also helps to pinpoint the location of the indicators. When measuring tread depth, one should avoid the area with the indicators.Tyres with worn out treads lack the ability to channel water, creating extremely dangerous situations such as slipping or hydroplaning on wet roads. Tire blow outs also increase in frequency.

Tyre Tips

Guide to Wet Driving

Driving on wet roads requires enhanced handling, braking, and drainage performance from your tyres. Understanding the risks of wet conditions and taking proper precautions can significantly improve your safety.

Challenges of Driving on Wet Roads

Wet road conditions can be as hazardous as snowy ones, with accident rates similarly high. Tyres may hydroplane, losing contact with the road and causing a momentary loss of control. Additionally, reduced grip on wet surfaces increases braking distances, highlighting the importance of driving carefully in the rain.

Safety Precautions for Wet Driving

Worn tyres are less effective on wet roads, so it's crucial to check their condition regularly, especially before long trips. Reduce your speed before entering a turn and maintain a steady pace while turning. If you lose control in wet conditions, stay calm and avoid sudden braking or acceleration. Instead, ease off the accelerator and allow your tyres to regain traction, making gentle steering adjustments to regain control.

Guide to Eco Driving

Eco driving is a smart strategy for adapting to the challenges of high fuel costs and promoting energy conservation, ensuring that every journey is more efficient and environmentally conscious.

1. Maintain Steady Speed

Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking. Use cruise control when possible to maintain a consistent speed and improve fuel efficiency.

2. Reduce Idle Time

Turn off the engine when idling for extended periods to save fuel and reduce emissions.

3. Keep Tyres Properly Inflated

Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, lowering fuel efficiency. Check tyre pressure regularly for optimal performance.

4. Lighten Your Load

Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, such as heavy items in the trunk, to improve fuel economy.

5. Plan Efficient Routes

Avoid congested routes and traffic jams. Planning your trips to minimize stop-and-go driving will help save fuel and reduce your carbon footprint.