Fleet insurance specialist Bluedrop Services has been named as Fleet World’s Fleet Supplier of the Week for its essential tyre maintenance tips for safe and efficient driving

Bluedrop Services is a specialist fleet insurance broker focused on providing the best policy at the best price

Maintaining your vehicle’s tyres is crucial for ensuring safety, improving fuel efficiency, and prolonging the lifespan of your tyres. Despite being one of the most critical components of a vehicle, tyres are often neglected until a problem arises.

Regular tyre maintenance can help prevent accidents, save money, and enhance the overall performance of your vehicle. Here are some essential tyre maintenance tips that Bluedrop Services recommends every driver should follow.

1. Regularly Check Tyre Pressure

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is vital for safety and efficiency. Under-inflated tyres can lead to poor fuel economy, reduced handling and increased wear, while over-inflated tyres can cause a harsh ride and uneven wear. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Use a reliable tyre gauge to ensure your tyres are inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, which can usually be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door.

2. Inspect Tyre Tread Depth

The tread on your tyres is essential for maintaining traction, especially in wet conditions. Worn-out treads can significantly increase the risk of aquaplaning and reduce your vehicle’s stopping distance. To check tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge or the simple ‘20p test’. Insert a 20 pence coin into the tread and if the rim of the coin is visible, it’s time to replace the tyres. Ensure that the tread depth is above the legal limit, which is typically 1.6mm in most countries.

3. Rotate Your Tyres Regularly

Tyre rotation involves changing the position of each tyre on the vehicle to ensure even wear. Tyres wear differently depending on their position, and rotating them regularly helps distribute the wear more evenly, prolonging their lifespan. It’s recommended to rotate your tyres every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or as advised by your vehicle manufacturer. Most mechanics can do this quickly during routine maintenance.

4. Align and Balance Your Wheels

Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tyre wear, reducing fuel efficiency and leading to handling issues. If your vehicle pulls to one side or if your steering wheel vibrates while driving, it may be time for a wheel alignment or balancing. Proper wheel alignment ensures that all four tyres are positioned correctly relative to each other and the road, while balancing ensures that the weight is evenly distributed across all tyres.

5. Avoid Overloading Your Vehicle

Overloading your vehicle puts additional stress on your tyres, leading to increased wear and a higher risk of tyre failure. Check your vehicle’s load rating, which is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely carry, and ensure you do not exceed it. Overloading not only compromises tyre safety but can also affect braking, steering and overall vehicle stability.

6. Regularly Inspect for Damage

Regularly inspect your tyres for signs of damage, such as cuts, cracks, punctures or bulges. These can be caused by hitting potholes, kerbs or debris on the road. Even small cuts can lead to slow leaks or sudden blowouts if left unchecked. If you notice any damage, have your tyre inspected by a professional as soon as possible.

7. Replace Tyres When Necessary

No matter how well you maintain your tyres, they will eventually need to be replaced. Most tyres last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, depending on driving conditions and maintenance practices. However, if you notice excessive wear, bald spots or sidewall damage, it’s time to invest in new tyres. Driving on worn-out tyres is dangerous and can lead to accidents, so don’t delay replacing them when necessary.

8. Store Tyres Properly When Not in Use

If you switch between summer and winter tyres or keep a set of spare tyres, it’s important to store them properly. Store tyres in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Stack them horizontally if stored without rims or vertically if stored with rims. Ensure they are clean and fully inflated to avoid deformation.

9. Monitor Tyre Age

Tyres deteriorate over time, even if they haven’t been used much. Most tyre manufacturers recommend replacing tyres every six to 10 years, regardless of tread wear. Check the manufacturing date on the sidewall of the tyre, marked as a four-digit number indicating the week and year of production (e.g. 3518 means the tyre was made in the 35th week of 2018). Tyres older than six years should be inspected regularly and replaced if signs of aging, such as cracks or brittleness, are visible.

Conclusion

Proper tyre maintenance is essential for safe and efficient driving. By regularly checking tyre pressure, tread depth and overall condition, as well as rotating, balancing and aligning your tyres, you can ensure they perform optimally for as long as possible. Remember, well-maintained tyres not only improve your vehicle’s performance but also contribute significantly to your safety on the road.

If you run a fleet of company vehicles, tyre maintenance should be a regular part of your vehicle care routine to ensure fleet safety as well as improved fleet insurance premiums. Contact Bluedrop Services fleet insurance brokers for any of your fleet insurance needs.