New tyres are not cheap, even the cheap ones. New set of tyres represent a great deal of
financial sacrifice for most Zimbabwean and the world over. So, it is important that you do
everything you can to extend the life of your tyres to keep the cost of running your car at the
lowest. Remember you still have to buy fuel, insurance, Zinara and radio licensing, not to
mention general service and replacing suspension components.
With poor driving habits, you can easily become a darling customer for tyre dealers, though you
can be fortunate to buy from Tyre Club as we offer exceptional prices on quality
tyres. However, spending zero dollars is always the best deal.
Here, Tyre Club offers you driving habits that can extend the life of your tyres – we
care for you, we care for your tyres and again we care for your family:
Taking Off Too Quickly
That sound that your tyres make when you shoot off
from a red light. That squealing and whining? That’s
the sound of your tyres spinning against the road
surface.
Instead of the tread gripping the road and propelling
your car forward, the tyres are turning against the
road, leaving behind bits of rubber. In fact, you’ll
probably see black skidding marks. The more you take
off quickly like that, the faster you will wear down your
tyres. The tread will thin and the tyres will lose their
grip. Over time, the tyres will become vulnerable to
failure.
Turning Too Quickly
We all do that quite often. You are driving along not
paying attention and realize we are about to miss your
turn, and you suddenly become a Combi-driver, taking
the turn at the last second at speeds that are not safe.
The problem is if you do this too often, you will wear
down your tyres. Taking turns too quickly will leave
rubber on the road, wearing down the tread on your
tyres.
Always take your time and slow down well in advance
of turns.
Stopping Too Quickly / Emergency brakes
Stopping your car too quickly will affect your tyres and
other components of your vehicle especially suspension.
However, you should make it your habit to always
reduce speed and stop over plenty of distance.
Remember your Learner’s Highway Code. Not only will
you save your tyres, but you’ll also keep your car safer
and avoid getting hit from behind.
Driving at Top Speeds
Of course, you feel the thrill by driving at high speeds,
feeling of an adrenaline rush, but it will also wear down
your tyres and your car faster. At high speeds, your tyres
will generate a great deal of friction with the road, as well
as heat. Worse-off in summer.
Prolonged exposure to high heats will soften the rubber
and weaken the tyre. Over time, this will put the tyre at
risk of failure. A blowout at high speeds can be
catastrophic, significantly increasing the risk of serious
injury even death of yourself and loved ones.
Your tyres have a speed rating stamped on the side wall. Do not exceed those speeds or drive
near those limits for prolonged periods of time. Stick to ROAD SPEED LIMITS to protect your
yourself, family members, your car and of course your tyres.
Tyre Club shows speed limits on all tyres displayed on the website under Tyre Tech
Details. These technical details will show after you select “click” a tyre size of choice.
Overloading
This is a major challenge for most Zimbabwean motorist as
they may be tempted to turn their cars into multi-purpose
load-masters especially when travelling to rural homes or
undertaking building projects.
Bear in mind that your tyres also have a rating for
maximum load, which is printed on the side wall. Your
tyres may not explode instantly if you exceed that weight,
but they will weaken and become vulnerable to failure.
Driving with heavy loads threatens your tyres in two ways:
- By increasing the temperatures to which your tyres
are exposed and, - By increasing the pressure inside the tyres.
If you find yourself regularly needing to haul heavy loads, it may be cheaper in long run to either
buy premium tyres that can handle the Extra Load or to invest in a truck/hire a truck.
Overloading also put stress on your suspension components (shocks, control arm bushes etc). So,
like other bad driving habits, overloading is a double barrel outlet to your financial purse. Just
because the load can fit in your car’s trunk doesn’t mean it should. For tyres that can handle
Extra Load, Tyre Club is here for you, contact us.
Driving Fast on Bad/Rough Roads
Most roads are in bad state, from unfriendly obstacles, pot
holes, humps, stones, metal objects, uneven seams,
branches, roadkill, gravel, glass and more.
Tyre Club urges you to proceed cautiously and,
as you drive along, try to feel the terrain underneath your car as if
you were literally walking shoe-less on those surfaces. Avoid
these obstacles as much as you can.
Tyre failure doesn’t always manifest itself as a flat or a
blowout. Bad roads can result in tyre bulging, sidewall cuts,
separation, bend rims and worn out suspension components.
After driving in bad roads, you may notice a rumbling as you drive, feel vibrations, or feel the car
pulling to one side. When tread wears down, you may also notice that your car loses traction in
water or that it takes you longer to brake especially in rainy seasons.
After a trip on bad roads feel free to bring your car for suspension check and wheel alignment at
any one of Tyre Club workshops, that’s the right thing to do for your car, for your tyres and for
your wallet.
Failing to maintain other components of your car.
The condition of your suspension has a huge bearing on
the wear of your tyres and the comfort of your ride.
You need to ensure that everything between your car’s
steering wheels and tyres (suspension components) is well
maintained to give you the highest level of efficiency,
output and control.
Failing to do so will ensure increased stress and wear on your
tyres. Think of your car as an integrated system, one thing
failing will affect the overall performance of the car. Ensure
your coolant is topped up, your battery is charged, and your
steering system is responsive and fluid. Doing so will leave
your car well maintained, and its overall performance will
minimise the impact on your tyres each time you brake.
Turning the steering wheel when your car isn’t moving.
We are all guilt at one time of turning the steering wheel
before moving. This puts tremendous pressure on the tyres
in the absence of forward movement and increases the
friction between the tyre and road surface.
Of course, sometimes this situation is unavoidable, such
as moving into and out of a narrow parking space, but you
should always try in normal driving to move your steering
wheel only when the car is in motion.
The best driving habits for your safety are also the best driving habits for your tyres. Slow down,
take turns more carefully, give yourself plenty of distance to brake, and steer clear of road
hazards and you’ll preserve your tyres while also reducing your risk of an accident and financial
outgoes for a set of new tyres.
We hope you found this article useful.
If any or part of this article was not clear for you to interpret, we are just a call away. Contact
us. When you are ready for new tyres, you stand to benefit if you visit Tyre Club shops or
search on our online shop for great tyre deals. We call it BUYING TYRES
FROM TYRE PEOPLE.
At Tyre Club we sell tyres for all vehicles and have over 30 brands to choose from,
both premium and budget brands at affordable prices. We offer tyre fitment services such as
tyre repairs, fitting, rotating, wheel balancing, 3D alignment and suspension.
Our tyres come with warranties that verify their longevity. We deliver tyres anywhere in
Zimbabwe, we also have a country-wide network of Fitment Partners to help you fit your tyres
at your nearest reputable fitment centre. Visit us today to buy the tyres you need for improved performance and safety, or Contact Us.
Sources:
https://www.mccluskeychevrolet.com/driving-habits-that-can-kill-your-tires/