Tyres 3 - Tyre Size

I'm really enjoying blogging on tyres...I hope the tips are helpful.

Tyre Size

The Tyre Placard - it's a sweet gift....it just keeps on giving. I would go to tyre service centres for a new tyre or tyre repair and when asked "so what size do you need?"...I would have this look like deer in headlights but not anymore.

If you look at the image in the top right hand corner you would see "175 /65R15 84T"; i.e. the tyre size. Ease to use and gives you more knowledge with regard to your vehicle.

Tyres 2 - Safe Air Pressure

How much air should I put in my tyres?

I was a driver for many years and I would rely on the Gas Station Attendant to put air in my tyres. I  was never sure of the Psi requirement, so I'm quite sure I may have driven my car with under-inflated and over-inflated tyres. Until one day I took the car to service and the Technician asked "how much air do you put in the tyres?". I was clueless. But then he showed me what to check for.

• This image can be found on the rear part of your door frame (driver's side). In the table above which shows your maximum tyre rating , you will utilize the upper part, more so since our legal speed limit is 100km/h. I don't think any of us drag race in Wallerfield or work for Team Mc Laren😉.  For those who love technical jargon, the table is called a tyre placard.

• Never use the maximum psi that your car tyres can take. This is found in black writing on each tyre above the rim. For my vehicle its 40 psi, that information just indicates how much air the tyre can hold. The rating table above shows the requirement for your vehicle based on manufacturer's specifications,  which is for the safety of you and your passengers. We all know that a balloon can be inflated within an inch of its capacity...but not too long after "pop goes the weasel".💣

• For my vehicle, which is front end loaded, the safe psi for the front tyres are 32 and for the rear tyres 30 psi. In some vehicles the tyres take the same psi.

• Its dangerous  to over-inflate tyres. In local parlance you may hear someone say "you put too much air in the tyre it could buss". Have you ever wondered what that really means? Well, I'm about to tell you. If you drive on tyres that are over-inflated, the treads on your tyres experience adverse wear and tear (more contact made with the asphalt and the centre of the tyres). You will have a rough, rocky or bumpy ride. This can spell trouble and serious expense for you - suspension, shocks and stability rubbers.....if this is a constant practice and other vehicle maintenance requirements are not adhered to.

• Worst case scenario, based on speed, cargo and passenger load and over-inflation, tyres can overheat and burst....aka " a blowout" which is highly unsafe and scary.

• Similar problems occur with under-inflated tyres

• I CAN'T OVER-STRESS DON'T FORGET YOUR SPARE IN THE TRUNK IT NEEDS LOVE TOO.

Tyres 1 - Tyre Change

When should I change my tyre(s)?

How many of us know when to change our tyres? Your significant other or random guy may watch your vehicle and say do you know your tyres are "cutting"?. By that time you may have to change more than one tyre, if not all. It may also mean that your vehicle requires alignment, balancing, possibly speed balancing and tyre rotation.

These are regular activities associated with car maintenance but still costs can be minimized if you know how.

Tip:Tread Wear Indicator Bars

Treads are the grooves we see on our tyres and only a small cross section of our tyres make contact with the road (contact patch). The tread wear indicators are small rectangles depressed between the treads. With time and use, the indicators will rise and be on level with the treads....that indicates your tyre needs changing.

Depressed💃= Great

On level😭= Check a tyre service expert who can advise you.

Take a walk to your driveway or garage and check it out for yourself!!!!!!

Car Batteries - H2O vs No Water that's the ?

Cars - Routine Maintenance and Car Troubles

I'm here sitting wondering where to start....so I think I'll talk about Cars....

#1 Batteries

Under the hood of your car can seem intimidating (for both men and women) and to some extent it is, thank God for the experts trained and otherwise. I've been faced with the question of "Water vs Water-free Batteries".

"Water Batteries" (Lead-Acid Battery - requires refilling with Distilled Water)

Pros

• Cost - cheaper vs the water-free 

Cons

  

• It isn't maintenance-free
• Tedious 
• Time-consuming

"Water-free Batteries" (Gel Electrolyte - Sealed Battery)

Pros

• It's maintenance-free
• No need to keep a tracking system or timetable
• Once the battery isn't faulty; you don't have to worry about your car shutting down or not starting due to the battery plates / cells being dry
• Holds charge longer
• Less Stress

Con 

•  Cost

Personal Experience

I've been driving for ten years. The less hassle incurred on the road is better for any driver but more so for the female driver. Therefore I will also choose the product for my car that does not need consistent attention, My preference is the "Water-less Battery". Most manufacturers give you eighteen months to twenty-four months warranty on your battery; once it has not been tampered with or improperly used.

Power Master is my brand of preference; each car my family has owned has been powered by Power Master. It retails for almost $1,000.00+. However, good news the makers of Power Master have moved into new markets same engineering and performance under a different brands at a lower cost - Miastu and Turbo. I have used all three....top performance...each brand has gone the distance - 18  to 24 months.