Archives 2018

DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS

October 15, 2018 / 3 Comments / 1473 / Blog

Properly preparing yourself and your vehicle can give you a better driving experience and keep you safe when driving in wet and rainy conditions.

Preparing to drive in wet conditions
Before you head out, be sure to check on the condition of your vehicle and your tyres.

  • Tyres should have plenty of tread depth to evacuate standing water from between the road surface and your tyre. If your current tyres are worn down to anywhere near the wear bars (2.5mm or 3.0mm), it’s time to think about replacing your tyres.
  • Tyre pressures that are too low or too high can lead to reduced traction, premature tread wear, or tyre damage. Check your tyre pressure regularly (at least once a month) to make sure they’re properly inflated.
  • Being able to see the road in wet conditions is critical to a safer driving experience. Your vehicle’s wiper blades should also be checked for age and wear. If they leave streaks on your windshield, it’s time for a change.
  • It’s also important to make sure your vehicle can be seen in wet conditions. Turn on your lights and make sure that all of them are in working order.

 

Tips for driving in wet conditions
When it’s time to head out, keep a few of these tips in mind.

  • If your windows are fogging up, use the air conditioner to dehumidify the air inside of your vehicle. If you don’t have an air conditioner system, wind down your rear windows a little to allow air to circulate.
  • Slowing down on wet roads is crucial. Wet roads give you less grip, increase your braking distance and reduce your ability to properly steer around obstacles.
  • Keep a further distance from the car in front of you since braking distances are longer on wet roads. Staying back also keeps you away from the tyre spray of the vehicle in front, giving you better visibility.
  • Jerky or sudden change in steering direction can lead to loss of control, especially on rain-slicked roads so drive with smoother steering.
  • If the rain becomes too heavy and you are uncomfortable with your visibility, stop! Heavy rain can overload your wiper blades, causing a constant sheet of water to flow over the screen, making visibility close to zero.
  • Initial rainfall makes the road very slippery as the mud and oil on dry roads combines with the water to form a rather slippery layer. You’re likely to experience a loss of control so be extra careful of the first half-hour after it begins to rain.
  • Allow some time for your brakes to dry after driving through standing water by tapping your brake pedals lightly.

 

Source: Goodyear

Functions and Performances of Tires

September 2, 2018 / 4 Comments / 1313 / Blog

The four main functions and seven performance characteristics of tires.

Four functions of tires

 To support a vehicles weight                    To transmit accelerating and braking force to the ground

              To support a vehicles weight                     To transmit accelerating and braking force to the ground

To change/maintain direction                   To absorb shock from the road surface

            To change/maintain direction                                   To absorb shock from the road surface

 

Seven performances of tires

Fuel efficiency             Wear life

                        Fuel efficiency                                                                        Wear life

 

Dry grip               Wet grip

                             Dry grip                                                                              Wet grip

 

Handling stability               Ride comfort

                     Handling stability                                                                Ride comfort

Quietness

                           Quietness

Sources: Bridgestone

5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR NEW TYRES LAST LONGER

June 25, 2018 / 0 Comments / 1443 / Blog

So you’ve just bought a new set of tyres for your car and you’re ready to hit the road. Before you do that, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your new tyres last longer and also keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

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Drive smoothly
As simple as this sounds, the way you drive your car greatly affects how your tyres wear and how long they’ll last. Smoother gear changes, gentler braking, acceleration and cornering can all help to prevent unnecessary wear to your tyres.article_5tips_to_help_your_new_tyres_last_v3_09article_5tips_to_help_your_new_tyres_last_v3_11article_5tips_to_help_your_new_tyres_last_v3_13

 

article_5tips_to_help_your_new_tyres_last_v3_15Be aware of where you drive
Another thing that you can do to help prolong the life of your new tyres is to pay attention to the road surface and your surroundings. Whether it’s potholes, uneven roads or even just not parking too close to a kerb, being careful when you drive not only keeps you safe but gives your tyres a longer lifespan too.

 

Keep your tyres properly inflated     If your tyres are under-inflated, they create excess heat and this can lead to blowouts and make them more likely to puncture. Inversely, if your tyres are overinflated, blowouts can happen too due to overpressure and your treads will wear out a lot faster. That’s why making sure your tyres are properly inflated lets them last longer, and keeps you safer.

 

Get your wheels aligned
When your wheels are out of alignment, your tyre treads will wear out unevenly. This makes one part of the tyre weaker and more likely to get damaged. By getting your tyres aligned regularly, you can help make sure your treads wear evenly and last longer.

 

Check your tyres for tread wear
It’s inevitable for the rubber on your tyres to wear off the longer you drive. But what you can do to make sure that the treads wear evenly is to bring them in for check annually. This will not only let you take the necessary actions to prevent uneven tread wear, it also keeps you updated on the state of your tyres and how safe they are.

 

Source: Goodyear

Are Your Brakes Trying to Tell You Something?

May 21, 2018 / 6 Comments / 1488 / Blog

If your brakes are trying to tell you something, you should pay attention. A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle control and operation and it should be checked immediately if you suspect any problems, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“While an annual brake inspection is a good way to ensure brake safety, motorists should not ignore signs that their brakes need attention,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Knowing the key warning signs that your brakes may need maintenance will go a long way toward keeping you and others safe on the road.”

The Car Care Council reminds motorists to look for the following warning signs that their brakes need to be inspected:

  • Noise: screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes.
  • Pulling: vehicle pulls to one side while braking.
  • Low Pedal: brake pedal nearly touches the floor before engaging.
  • Hard Pedal: must apply extreme pressure to the pedal before brakes engage.
  • Grabbing: brakes grab at the slightest touch to the pedal.
  • Vibration: brake pedal vibrates or pulses, even under normal braking conditions.
  • Light: brake light is illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard.

Because brakes are a normal wear item on any vehicle, they will eventually need to be replaced. Factors that can affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material. Be sure to avoid letting brakes get to the ‘metal-to-metal’ point as that can mean expensive rotor or drum replacement.

 

Source: Car Care Council

Tips to Prolong Your Car Battery’s Life

April 6, 2018 / 0 Comments / 1251 / Blog

The first thing you should know is that a car battery’s lifespan is fixed and there’s nothing you can do to extend it beyond that. But, there are things drivers often do that cause the battery to die early. Learn how to care for your battery and be rewarded with a long battery life.

1. Limit short rides

Shorts distance trips prevent your car’s battery from a full charge cycle. Over the long run, this will reduce the charge capacity of the battery and its lifespan. Instead, go for a long distance drive once a week during the weekend to give the battery a full charge it deserves.

2. Once a month routine inspection

Battery terminals corrode over time, but keeping them clean from buildup is a great way to extend the life of your car battery. Scrub the terminals with a toothbrush dipped in a baking soda and water mixture. Then, using a spray bottle with cold water, rinse the mixture off and follow up with a thorough drying with a clean cloth.

3. Don’t use electronics when idle

Turn off functions like the radio or air conditioner when your engine isn’t running to put less wear and tear on your battery power. Extended periods of idling also can wear a battery down. And not to forget, don’t charge your smartphone before starting your car’s engine.

4. Keep Your Battery Tightly Fastened

A battery that’s not securely fastened could end up vibrating, potentially resulting in internal damage and short circuits. Have your battery terminal checked regularly, especially if you frequently drive on bumpy roads.

5. Check your car’s alternator

If your alternator is bad it will results in ineffective recharging of your battery and dramatically shorten your battery’s lifespan.

 

Source: Carput

Tyre Pressure

March 8, 2018 / 4 Comments / 1955 / Blog
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure will help to extend the life of your tyres, improve vehicle safety and maintain fuel efficiency.

Car tyre pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air that has been pumped into the inner lining of your tyre in pounds per square inch (PSI) or BAR pressure.

The manufacturer of your vehicle will specify the suitable pressure for your tyres, and it is your responsibility as the driver to make sure that the pressure is checked and corrected on a regular basis. We recommend doing this every two weeks to ensure optimum tyre pressure.

Tyre Pressure

Under inflated tyres

Tyres can quickly become underinflated if you don’t check them regularly. Under inflated tyres will have uneven contact with the road and will exhibit excessive wear on the inside and outside edges of the tread if they are left underinflated for some time. Not only does low tyre pressure wear your tyres out more quickly but you may also experience increased rolling resistance with the road which means reduced fuel efficiency and increased CO2 emissions.

Over inflated tyres

Putting too much air in your tyres can be just as damaging and costly. Over inflated tyres will have a smaller contact patch – the part of the tyre that makes contact with the road – which can lead to a loss of traction and poorer braking distances. Overly high tyre pressure will also cause heavy and uneven wear across the central part of the tyre leading to shorter tyre lifespans than if it was correctly inflated.

Correct tyre pressures

It’s not always apparent that air is being lost from your tyres, but it generally escapes at the rate of up to two PSI of air every month. More air is usually lost during warm weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise.

You can find the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle in your vehicle handbook or printed either in the sill of the driver’s door or on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Your vehicle manufacturer may suggest different tyre pressures for your front and rear tyres so make sure you aware of these guidelines.

 

Sources:KwikFit

Tyre Rotation Advice

January 4, 2018 / 0 Comments / 2081 / Blog

Rotating your tyres periodically can help to prevent uneven wear and prolong the lifespan of your tyres.

 

Rotating Tyres: Best Practise

When should you rotate your tyres? Generally speaking, it is recommended that you rotate the tyres on your vehicle once every six months, or 6,000 miles – whichever comes first.

To do so, each tyres need to be removed and refitted at a different position. This helps to ensure that each tyre wears evenly and lasts longer.

For each driving method, there is a correct way to rotate your tyres. You want to ensure that you rotate the tyres to the correct position for your vehicle.

 

Rotating Tyres on a Front Wheel Drive

tyre-rotation-fwd

The two front tyres stay on the same of the car and are transferred to the rear. However, the rear tyres move forward and switch sides.

 

Rotating Tyres on a Rear Wheel Drive

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The two rear tyres stay on the same side of the car and are transferred to the front. However, the front tyres move backwards and switch sides.

 

Rotating Tyres on a Four Wheel Drive

tyre-rotation-4wd
In this instance both sets of tyres swap sides and position. So the two front tyres move back and switch. At the same time the two rear tyres move forward and switch.

 

Rotating Directional Tyres

The above rules should not be followed if your tyres are ‘directional tyres’. The tread pattern on this variety tyre is designed specifically to work in a certain way in relation to its position on the vehicle – switching sides would be dangerous.

tyre-rotation-directional
The tyres change position, but do not switch. The two front tyres move back and the two rear tyres move forward – they stay on the same side of the car as before.

 

Source: blackcircle.com

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