How to ride without damaging tires? Is it possible to extend the life of the wheels?
The condition of Polish roads is systematically improving. Unfortunately, there are episodes in a terrible state. What can a driver do to extend the life of the wheels and reduce the chance of damage?
The biggest threat to tires are holes in the pavement. If you can’t get around the pit, you need to overcome it as carefully as possible - slow down and do not move over its edge, because then there is a high risk that torn asphalt will cut the sidewall of the tire. In such situations, correct tire pressure is essential. If a tire is under-inflated, the vehicle's weight is shifted onto the outside of the tread, increasing pressure on the sidewalls of the tires and making them more susceptible to warping or mechanical damage.
Under-inflation means uneven tire pressure on the road surface. It also reduces the tread area in direct contact with the road. This has a negative effect on tire grip and, especially when the car is heavily loaded, on its driving characteristics. Stopping distances increase and cornering traction drops dangerously, which can lead to loss of vehicle control.
Remember that when inflating tires, only inflate the amount of air recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Usually this information is in the owner's manual, on the edge of the driver's door or inside the glove box on the passenger side. Tire pressure should only be checked when the tires are cold, or after driving no more than two kilometers, or after one hour of parking. Also, do not reduce the pressure in the wheels, supposedly to improve traction. In fact, this practice only leads to faster tire wear.
Any side scuffs, for example, when approaching a curb, also suffer from damage. All the same, not only the tire is exposed, but also the rim - both of these elements can be seriously damaged. Suspension condition also affects tire wear. If the wheels are misaligned, the tread will wear out at an accelerated rate. Poorly adjusted wheel geometry also affects driving safety. If you notice that the tread is only worn on one side, you can see an indentation in its pattern, this means that the suspension elements are damaged. Of course, tires with the same tread should be mounted on the same axle. It is also worth knowing that tires older than 6 years, even taking into account the mileage, do not guarantee safe use - the risk of breakdown increases significantly.
Tires should be changed from time to time to ensure even wear. For front wheel drive vehicles, this rotation involves moving the front tires to the same locations on the rear axle and the rear tires to opposite locations on the front axle.
Many drivers still say that aluminum wheels should not be used in winter. Meanwhile, there are no grounds for this. It is important that alloy wheels are correctly selected and used correctly. The term "aluminum rim" is imprecise. The correct term is alloy rim (or rim). In short, they are called alloy wheels. Some drivers choose such discs for their car according to their aesthetic taste. However, choosing a rim for a particular car is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a matter of safety. The wheels are the only part of the car that has direct contact with the road. They are responsible for a number of important parameters that affect driving safety and comfort.
Aluminum wheels contribute to a better driving experience, incl. reduce the so-called unsprung mass of the car and contribute to better cooling of the brakes. Therefore, when choosing alloy wheels, we must consider not only how they look, but above all whether they are technically suitable for our car. Therefore, it is best to choose alloy wheels at the stage of buying a new car, i.e. at a car dealership.
The seller is able to offer the most suitable product for a particular car model. The discs have a specific load capacity and match the characteristics of the vehicle with which they will work. These parameters are strictly defined for a given make and model of a car. Buying a car with factory alloy wheels also has the advantage that if one wheel is damaged, you can easily order a new one - with the same design and parameters.
Car manufacturers offer a wide range of alloy wheels. For example, the leader of the Polish car sales market, the Skoda brand, offers several types of light alloy wheels for each of its cars. Even in the case of the smallest model in the Skoda lineup, the Citigo, the customer has a choice of 10 different rims ranging in size from 14 to 16 inches. Ten types of alloy wheels are also available for the Fabia. The stylistically interesting Rapid Spaceback can get one of 12 alloy wheels available, and Skoda's flagship limousine, the Superb, offers as many as 13 alloy wheel types.
As we already mentioned, in winter you can successfully drive on alloy wheels. Any higher or lower resistance of the rim to the harsh conditions of winter operation is due to the quality of the surface varnishes used. Such protection is used by all reputable manufacturers of aluminum wheels.
Also important in terms of the life of the wheels is their storage. Tires and wheels should not be stored in damp areas such as near chemicals or hot pipes. The correct storage temperature is around 10-20 degrees Celsius. Tires must not be stored in direct sunlight or among devices that produce ozone (transformers, electric motors, welding machines). Wheel assemblies should be stored horizontally, individually or in a stack (max. 4) with reduced pressure so that the weight is on the rim and not on the sidewall of the tire. In order to minimize deformation, it is recommended to turn them over once a month.
You can store your tires at many authorized Škoda dealers. The service is called a tire hotel. It is not only about storing tires, but also about caring for them. As the servicemen assure, the tires are checked for damage and repaired if they are found. Before storage, tires and rims are washed and dried, which has a positive effect on their service life and aesthetics.
