Be Safe
Maxxis recommends the following key areas are checked to ensure that your tyres continue to perform with the safety, grip and reliability you demand. The following should be checked on a regular basis:
Tread depth
- All tyre tread depths including the spare, must be within the legal minimum limit of 1.6mm for cars or 1mm for motorcycles of tread in a continuous band throughout the central 3/4 of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre. Most safety advisers however recommend tyres be changed at 3.0mm.
- Grip diminishes progressively with wear and as a consequence stopping distances, especially in the wet, become greater.
Tyre Pressure
Check your tyre pressure, from cold, regularly. Over or under inflation can both cause problems.
Not enough tyre pressure can lead to
- A reduction in grip
- Structural damage due to excessive overheating
- Increased fuel consumption
- Irregular and premature wear of the shoulder areas of the tyre leading to early replacement
Too much tyre pressure can lead to
- Excessive wear on the centre of the tread and hence early replacement
- A greater chance of a tyre blow-out
- A less comfortable driving experience
- Greater vulnerability to obstacles in the road
Tracking and Alignment
Tracking and Wheel alignment should be checked at regular intervals. Poor alignment and tracking causes irregular and rapid tyre wear resulting in the need to replace tyres more frequently. Visit your tyre retailer regularly!
Inspect your tyres for visual damage
If cuts or bulges in the sidewall are visible, take the tyre to your tyre retailer immediately. Uneven wear can identify issues with tracking, wheel alignment and axle geometry. Regularly examine wheels for deformation and damage which could in turn damage the tyre. If a tyre suffers a violent impact, have it checked over at your tyre retailer as soon as possible, even if there is no visible damage.