How to check your tyres

To drive responsibly, make sure your car is 100% safe. Every component of the vehicle should be well-functioning, including the tyres.

The car’s tyres are an essential component for everyday use. It’s best to check if the tyres are in good condition before driving your car. Without proper maintenance, you might experience problems with the vehicle’s braking and suspension.

Check the overall condition of your tyres! Here are tips on how to do so.

1. Checking the condition of your tyres

Since a car’s tyres are used regularly, they’ll most likely look old and worn. However, there’s a difference between being used extensively and being damaged due to external factors.

Check your tyres and see if there are any signs of damage. Make sure there aren’t any cuts, tears, or holes. Also, check if there aren’t any stones, nails, or other sharp objects lodged in the tyres.

2. Checking tyre pressure

Without proper inflation, the tyres could affect the car–causing problems such as reduced fuel efficiency, uneven grip, and increased safety risks. Avoid over or underinflated tyres and check if the pressure is at a normal level.

Since a tyre usually loses pressure by 1 to 2 psi per month, it’s wise to regularly check all tyres and see if they’re properly inflated. Do this monthly, especially if you’re going on a long-distance trip or if the vehicle will carry a heavy load of items.

First, examine your vehicle’s required level of tyre pressure. You can usually discover this by checking the plate located on the driver’s door, or by reading the car’s handbook. 

To check the tyre’s pressure, unscrew the cap on the air valve, then push the tyre pressure gauge firmly. Afterwards, look at the reading on the gauge. You should be able to see if tyre pressure is set at a normal level. Also, don’t forget to check each and every tyre, including the spare.

3. Checking tyre tread depth

To prevent uncontrollable handling and slipping, ensure each tyre’s tread is above minimum depth. In Singapore, the Land Transit Authority (LTA) requires all tyres to maintain a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. Therefore, you must maintain your tyres at such depth.

You can maintain the tyre’s tread depth by using a tread depth gauge. It’s easy to use, all you have to do is stick the probe into the groove seen in the tread, then press the probe’s shoulders flat against the tread block. From here, you can see the results.

Conclusion

Tyre maintenance is a part of renting or owning a vehicle. Without proper tyre maintenance, your safety is compromised, so remember to check your tyres regularly. We recommend to check it at least once a month.

If you’re unsure on how to properly maintain your car’s tyres, have them checked by a specialist instead. This is highly recommended if your vehicle is acquired from a long-term car rental company in Singapore. This is to avoid causing any damages to the vehicle.

Thinking of renting a car? Contact CL Leasing at +65 6769 7117 for car rental services in Singapore. We offer both long-term car leasing and rental with a wide variety of vehicles.