How to Prevent Flat Tyres: A Complete Guide for UK Drivers

No one is eager to get the sinking feeling when they realise that their car has a flat tyre. It could be Monday morning and you are late going to work or you are off to a weekend getaway but a flat tyre can spoil your plans and you end up stranded. The flat Cheap Tyres Birmingham are however good news given that most of them can be avoided through simple care and routine maintenance. By learning the reasons why tyres get flat and some easy precautionary measures, one can save oneself the inconvenience, cost, and most importantly, safety hazards that are associated with tyre bursts.

Why Do Tyres Go Flat?

The first step towards preventing flat tyres is to know the common causes of this problem. The majority of issues with tyres do not occur in one night; they emerge slowly as a result of wear and tear, damage or lack of proper care.

 Punctures- Most likely what most people would think of first are punctures by sharp objects. On the UK roads there are nails, screws, glass and other objects which might pierce through your tyre and the air may go out. These punctures may be big and sometimes it is easy to detect the puncture, but in other cases, the puncture may be small and result in slow leaks which you may not detect at once.

Valve stem problems- Another big cause of flat tyres is the valve stem issues. The valve stem is that little rubber or metal pipe that protrudes out of your wheel - that is what you connect the pump to when inflating your tyres. Valve stems may get damaged, corroded, or just worn out due to age over time. When this occurs, slowly air escapes out of your tyre.

Under-inflation- The most avoidable tyre trouble may be called under-inflation. Tyres without sufficient air pressure flex more than is necessary. That generates additional heat and stress that might cause blowouts or early wear.

Regular Tyre Pressure Checks

The single most vital thing you can do to avoid getting flat tyres is to ensure that you have your tyre pressure checked on a regular basis.

Most drivers do not consider their tyres until something goes wrong, yet a monthly pressure inspection can help to avoid the majority of inconveniences.

Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, so check before you have driven anywhere in the morning. Driving makes your tyres hot and the pressure goes up providing you with inaccurate reading.

The right pressure to use in your tyres is listed in your car handbook, on a sticker on the driver door frame or occasionally on the fuel filler cap. Do not go by the pressure moulded on the side of the tyrewall - that is the maximum pressure the tyre can support, not the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Examine Your Tyres Regularly

Inspecting tyres should be your routine. Spend a few minutes every month by walking around your car and examining all the tyres.

Check to see if there is any obvious damage such as cuts, bulges or Foreign Objects embedded in the tread. Look at any uneven wear patterns as this could spell out alignment issues or wrong pressure. Check the tread depth The legal limit in the UK is 1.6mm, however many experts suggest changing the tyres at 3mm to ensure improved performance in the wet.

Don't forget to examine your spare tyre as well. It is the worst when you get a flat tyre and find out that your spare tyre is flat as well.

Keep Your Wheels Clean

Wheels are more than just for looks; clean wheels can help prevent problems with the tyres. Dirt, salt, and corrosion on the wheel rim can hinder a proper seal on the tyre and possibly lead to a slow leak. 

When washing your car be sure to pay special attention to the wheels. When washing the wheels, make sure to use soapy water to wash around the valve stems and where the tyre meets the rim. If you spray some soapy water on these areas, and you see small bubbles continuously forming, you have a leak that may need to get looked at.

Drive Carefully

There are several behaviours when driving that can affect the health of your tyres. Aggressive driving, hard cornering, and sudden braking all increase the stress placed on your tyres which may lead to a higher chance of tyre failure. 

Again, be aware of road conditions and avoid hazards like potholes, debris and road works where you can but if you cannot, reduce your speed to minimize the impact on your tyres.

Parking considerations are important too. Avoid parking next to a curb where you may accidentally scrape your tyre sidewalls. Car parks are also worth considering especially where there are speed bumps and wheel stops as hitting these too aggressively can damage your tyres.

Conclusion

Preventing flat tyres in Birmingham isn't rocket science; it just takes some regular checking. If you check the pressure each month before driving, do a little visual inspection with each check, practice safe driving, and provide needed maintenance, you will prevent most tyre issues, which could leave you stranded. 

You should always keep in mind that tyres are the only link between you and the road—taking care of them is paramount for your safety as well as the safety of other road users.