Take care of your rims and tires
Winter is in full swing. Summer tires, and often rims, are waiting for sunny days in the garage or basement. So that there are no unpleasant surprises in the spring, it is worth checking their condition now.
Many drivers put off the decision to change tires until the last minute. The consequences of the procedure are well known - lost nerves and long queues for tire fitting. Chaos and haste do not contribute to an accurate assessment of the condition of tires and wheels. Worth a try.
Tires should be inspected for damage. Bubbles, bulges or cuts that rupture the carcass will disqualify the tire. If so, you can look for a used tire with the same level of tread wear. The best solution would be to buy a new pair of tires.
The cause of uneven tread wear is most often an incorrectly adjusted suspension geometry. The problem cannot be underestimated. Incorrect settings not only accelerate tire wear, but also worsen vehicle handling, and in extreme situations increase rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption.
There may be foreign objects in the tread - pebbles, glass fragments, screws or nails. They must be removed. If the object pulled out of the tire is several millimeters long, it cannot be ruled out that it has punctured the tire. It is worth marking the place from which it was pulled out, and go to the vulcanizer.
The legally permissible tread depth is 1,6 mm. The purchase of new summer tires is recommended when the measurement shows less than 3 mm. Tires that are more worn out no longer effectively drain water. This increases the risk of hydroplaning after hitting a puddle.
Tires must be replaced when the rubber used to make them begins to develop a network of microcracks. The consequences of the aging process of rubber depend on many factors - incl. how to maintain and store tires and exposure to solar radiation. Experts say that the tire can be safely used for 10 years from the date of manufacture. Over time, the rubber compound loses elasticity and becomes more prone to cracking, which reduces ride quality and can be tragic. Tire production dates are embossed on the sidewalls. They take the form of a four-digit code preceded by the abbreviation DOT. For example, 1106 is the 11th week of 2006.
It is also worth paying attention to the disks. You can try and varnish chips and minor abrasions on aluminum wheels yourself. The best visual effect is ensured by professional restoration of discs. During this process, wheel rims are straightened - both steel and aluminum; the smallest fragments of old paint are removed during sandblasting, and powder painting provides a durable and aesthetic finish. The cost of a comprehensive wheel repair is usually PLN.
Wheel repair companies are able to completely repair rim damage, which is turned until deep scratches are not noticeable. Heavily damaged discs may require welding. Is it worth deciding? Opinions were divided. For those who value safety, it is better to look for a second rim, as processes that increase the temperature of the rim significantly are bad for its durability.
The updated rim can be "tuned". An increasing number of services offer to paint the rim with paints from the RAL palette. Everyone can find something for themselves among hundreds of colors and shades. The most demanding can order edge polishing. Face turning of rims is becoming more and more popular and is increasingly used in the production of rims for the latest car models. Processing allows you to completely remove the paint from the front of the temples or edges. Exposed metal is less shiny than polished aluminum, and the paint remains on the inside of the weapon.
