When inspecting tires, remove any nails or stones stuck in the tread before they penetrate the tire and cause a puncture. If, when removing the nail, it appears that it has already pierced the tire, do not touch it and mark the place of the puncture. Replace the wheel with a spare and have the punctured tire repaired by a specialist workshop.
Inspect tires regularly for cracks and bulges, especially on the side surfaces. Periodically remove the wheels and clean them from dirt on both sides. Inspect wheel rims for rust or other damage. Alloy wheels are often damaged when parking as a result of hitting the sidewalk curbs; steel wheels can also bend. In case of serious damage, you will have to replace the disc. When installing new tires, they must be balanced. Balancing must be repeated as the tires wear out, as well as in case of loss of balancing weights. Unbalanced wheels themselves wear out quickly and contribute to the wear of suspension and steering components. Wheel imbalance manifests itself as vibration at certain speeds, usually around 80 km/h. If the vibration is felt only on the steering wheel, this means that only the front wheels require balancing. If the whole car vibrates, then the rear wheels are also unbalanced. Wheel balancing is performed by many stations and workshops.
Tread depth: visual check
Branded tires have indicator strips (IN), which become noticeable when the tread depth is reduced to approximately 1.6 mm. The position of the indicators is indicated by triangular marks on the sidewall of the tire (A).
Tread depth: manual check
Alternatively, tread depth can be measured with a simple and inexpensive device known as a tread depth indicator.
Tire pressure check
Check tire pressure regularly. Tires should be cold when checking. Do not check the pressure immediately after a long ride, otherwise you will get an incorrect result.