Kumho Tyre shares tyre maintenance tips to students
As Tyre Safety Month continues, Kumho Tyre has shared some insight into effective tyre maintenance for young adults.
According to tyre safety charity, TyreSafe, three in five young drivers have never checked their tyres, leading to tyre experts focusing on helping new motorists to become more aware of the modern requirements of motoring.
Why is it so important for students to check their tyres?
Gen Z is facing a tyre-shaped problem. Only 35% have said they feel ‘very confident’ in checking their own tyre pressures. The lowest out of all generations.
Mark Hamnett, Technical Manager at Kumho Tyre (UK), shared his advice on how all motorists can become more confident when checking their tyres.
“At Kumho, we want all road users to feel safe and confident when getting behind the wheel. We want to help young adults reap the benefits of a healthy car and healthy outlook on motoring.”
What should everyone look out for when checking tyres?
“Any abnormalities that you see, whether it’s a bulge, cut, or foreign body, should be taken seriously. One single change to a tyre’s structure can result in a blow-out.
“The most important area to check afterwards is your tread depth. If your tyres fall under the legal limit (1.6mm), you’re lining yourself up for a hefty fine of up to £2,500 plus 3 penalty points per tyre.
“A quick and easy way to check if your tyres are still good to go is to take a 20p coin and place it in your tyre grooves. If the border of the coin is fully submerged, you can rest easy knowing your tyres are legal.
Can you tell your tyres are faulty without even looking at them?
“As they’re the only part of your car that’s in constant contact with the ground, tyres affect many aspects of the performance of your car, such as acceleration, fuel consumption and grip.
“A good indicator of poor tyre performance is your steering wheel: if it’s vibrating or pulling your car to one side, then your wheels are showing serious signs of misalignment.”
What can young adults do to prevent more frequent tyre problems?
Smooth driving plays a massive part in vehicle maintenance. It can be easy to slip into a more aggressive mindset while out on the open road, but too much late braking and quick acceleration can put unnecessary stress on your tyres and, as a result, cause them to wear out much quicker.
It isn’t just about how quick you drive; it can also be down to how aware the driver is of their surroundings. Mounting a kerb when parking, being caught out by a pothole, hitting a speed bump that was taller than you expected, all of these can increase tyre wear.
Finally, the most important thing that all drivers can do to improve the safety of their tyres is to stay vigilant, remembering to pay special attention to ACT – Air Pressure, Condition, and Tread.