Welcome To Tyres Auckland
So why a site called Tyres Auckland?
The reason I have started this blog is to help other consumers who are looking for tyres online, or just information on tyres like tyre prices or tyre brands.
You see, I don’t own a tyre fitting business, I’m not part of a brand name franchise, I don’t have anything to do with the tyre industry except the fact that I’m a car owner, and the world of tyres are foreign and even a little daunting.
What’s at Tyres Auckland?
In this site, I hope to give you a little bit of information about tyre car and the different brands and types that you can get here in New Zealand. And here at Tyres Auckland I will also recommend to you a couple of businesses that I have found to provide excellent service, value for money and integrity.
All of us drivers need to purchase tyres, whether it be for the family sedan, an SUV, a trailer, caravan or motorbike. But chances are, you don’t know your radial from your tread, whether you need to replace one or all, and if you should be buying new, used or retreads.
Why We Started Tyres Auckland…
I have to start by telling you about some excellent service we received from a tyre business in New Zealand (not Auckland though) that restored my faith in these car service types of industries…
My husband, mother and I were driving out of Christchurch after the 22nd Feb earthquake when the car started to develop a little bit of a wobble. We were on our way to Whangarei and had made it to Wellington when the wobble started. So we called into the first tyre shop we came across. We told the manager our problem and he was able to look at it straight away. After 10 minutes or so he came back into the showroom and showed us how the tyre was separating (which apparently means that the tyre would have eventually blown) and that he would need to replace it. It was Mum’s car that we were in and she gave him the go-ahead to do whatever was needed.
Well… he replaced both of the rear tyres with second hand tyres that were in very good condition. He also removed both of the front tyres to clean off all the silt from the liquifaction that we had driven through. He then did a wheel alignment and balance and sent us on our way without letting us give him a cent of payment. He wouldn’t accept it. He had family in Christchurch too and he felt glad that he could at least help someone who was escaping from the devastation. Beaurepaires Porirua left us speechless with their kindness, understanding and generosity.
And I know there are other tyre service centres out there who provide such exceptional service (even if it’s not for free!) and I’m taking it upon myself to point them out to you here on Tyres Auckland.
Even with so many brands to compare it’s hard to know where to start. Bridgestone, Dunlop, Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin… and the list goes on!
Whether it’s a puncture you need fixed or the whole wheel replaced.
It might be your wheelbarrow, trailer, car, van, 4×4 or even through to large line haul trucks, buses and coaches, earthmovers, forklifts, container carriers it’s my hope that here at Tyres Auckland we will help shed some light on the subject.
Tyres Auckland’s Top Five Tyre Tips
1. Check your tyre pressures
You’ll find them inside your car’s driver’s manual. Check the pressure with a tyre gauge when the tyre is cold, as even a short journey can warm up tyres and raise the pressure.
2. Check for damage
Give your tyres a close inspection for cuts and cracks, which can lead to slow punctures or cause the steel wires in the tyre to rust.
3. Check your tread
Less tread means less grip. The minimum legal depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
4. Take extra caution in wet conditions
You are twice as likely to have an accident in wet weather as in the dry. The stopping distance of a tyre with 1.6mm of tread is double that of a new tyre with 8mm.
5. Don’t overload your car
Overloading has the same effect on tyres as under-inflation, causing premature tread wear and in extreme cases, a sudden blowout.
Tyres Auckland – Tyre Pressure / Valves / Balancing
A Look At Tyre Pressure, Valves & Balancing with Tyres Auckland
The Importance of Correct Tyre Pressure
It is very important to keep your tyres at the correct pressure as wrongly inflated tyres will greatly shorten the life of your tyres and can make your car dangerous to drive.
A good routine that Tyres Auckland recommends to get into, is to check the pressure in your tyres every two weeks (including the spare!). And do the check when the tyres are cold, as the pressures increase after the car has been run due to the air inside the tyres warming up and expanding.
If you have a heavy load – for example before going on holiday – check your handbook and increase tyre pressures as per manufacturers’ recommendations. And don’t forget to reduce the pressures after removing the heavy load.
Wheel Balancing – What Is It?
Wheel balancing ensures that your tyre tread remains in constant contact with the road. To help you understand wheel balancing, imagine your vehicle is raised off the ground and the wheel spun by hand. An unbalanced wheel would always stop at the same point – with the heavier part of the tyre (the imbalance) being at the bottom of the wheel.
On the road, this wheel imbalance can lift the tyre from contact with the road and create vibrations through the steering wheel, causing problems with steering and braking. If the imbalance is left unattended this can cause damage to the suspension, wheel bearings and steering components.
At Tyres Auckland we use a computerised electronic wheel balancer can quickly and easily measure the imbalance, and then correct it by adding small metal weights to even things up.
What Is A Wheel Alignment?
Every car has a specific steering track setting for its front wheels. If the setting becomes upset, by striking a kerb or hitting a pothole or simply by wear and tear – tyre wear can become rapid.
Incorrect wheel alignment becomes obvious when either the inner or the outer edge of the tyres becomes unevenly worn or a “feathering” effect becomes noticeable.
If you suspect your alignment has been disturbed – ask to have it checked by your Tyres Auckland specialist or at least have it checked when tyres or steering components have been changed.
Why should the valve be replaced?
The tyre valve is often the most neglected and overlooked component within the wheel and tyre assembly, yet an efficient valve is crucial to the safe operation of the tyre.
Wear on the valve seal; damaged screw threads, dirt and grit in the valve itself can all lead to a dangerous failure of the tyre at speed. Even a poorly sealed valve can cause constant under inflation of the tyre, which will reduce the life of your tyre by 25%.
The Importance Of Tyre Tread – With Tyres Auckland
Tyres Auckland Looks At The Importance Of Tyre Tread
The purpose of the tread on your tyres is to allow the tyre to grip in the wet. Large volumes of water on the surface of the road need to be squeezed out by the tread grooves on your tyres.
If the water is not rapidly dispersed, the tyre will begin to “aquaplane” – a sheet of water builds up between the tyre and the road – and the tyre loses all contact with the surface of the road. This is, of course, very dangerous.
The capacity to disperse water is drastically reduced with low and worn tread depth – so carefully monitor the depth of tread on your tyres – Your life could depend on it.
What is the legal limit?
In New Zealand the law states that tread must be 1.5mm depth across 3/4 of the width and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
This is the absolute minimum and Tyres Auckland would suggest that have worn out to this level should be replaced immediately.
To help you judge how much tread you have on your tyres, manufacturers often mould tread bars at roughly 1.6mm. If you can see these bars your tyres are about to become illegal and unsafe.
Recent research conducted by the independent automotive research and testing centre, MIRA, has proved that there is a significant deterioration in wet braking distances when a tyre wears below 3mm.
How can you avoid premature wearing of your tyres?
Here at Tyres Auckland we’ve often found that tyres have to be replaced long before their specified life has been reached principally because of rapid or uneven tread wear.
The most common causes of premature tread wear are:
- Under-inflating – This causes rapid wear along the edges of the tread.
- Over-inflating – Causing rapid wear along the centre of the tread.
- Incorrect wheel balancing – Leads to bald spots around the tread of the tyre.
- Incorrect wheel alignment – Causing rapid wear along the inside or outside edges of the front tyres.
Tyres Auckland Offer Advice On How To Decrease Your Petrol Consumption
Petrol prices are still soaring! This has resulted in increased travel expenses, but if you travel by car; you do have control over the costs. And your tyres are only one of the ways…
Here are some ways to save money on petrol:
* Switch to synthetic motor oil. It reduces engine friction and may make your car a little less ravenous at the gas station. (There are brands available claiming 5%-20% increases in fuel economy.)
* Use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil. Manufacturer specifications are based on what is best for your specific vehicle.
* Buy petrol with the recommended octane rating. Premium can actually be detrimental to many engines.
* Fill up during the coolest times of day. You get more gas in each litre, because liquids expand in the heat. The pumps are measuring litres, not weight.
* Make sure that the petrol cap is tight after you fill up. Gas evaporates easily – you can lose an appreciable amount through an improperly seated cap.
* Check your tyres before your holiday and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Under-inflated tyres create drag and increase gas consumption. Always carry a tyre gauge in your glove box.
* Never drive on bald tyres! Besides being unsafe, they also increase fuel consumption.
* Don’t leave your engine idling for long periods of time. This includes pre-warming – one minute is all you need. Start off slowly, then use normal speeds after a couple of minutes.
* Don’t continually start and stop your engine. Each start burns about the same amount of gas as one minute of idle time.
* Drive the speed limit on highways – speeding devours gas. Activate your cruise control whenever possible, and when cruise is not engaged remember the ‘egg’ trick: drive like you have a raw egg between the floorboards and the gas pedal.
* Stop lights in cities are usually set to synchronize with the posted speed limit. Drive the speed limit and you are more likely to hit a long series of green lights. Stopping at red lights increases idle time and gas consumption.
* Drive in a way that entails minimal use of the brakes.
* Don’t pack more than you need. The more weight you carry, the more gas you use.
* Decrease wind resistance. A car caked with mud will cause drag and burn more gas than a sleek, clean vehicle.
* Don’t use the air conditioner unless necessary. Vehicle air conditioners increase fuel consumption.
* Pamper your vehicle by ensuring that it goes in for regular tune-ups and maintenance. Slight adjustments can mean dramatic fuel savings. Ask the maintenance people to add fuel injector cleaner whenever the oil is changed.
Tyres Auckland – Are You Prepared For The Unexpected?
These days, when you get a flat tyre, you’ll probably just flip out your cell phone and make a service call. Still, the time may come when that won’t be possible. There may come a day when you actually have to do that dreaded deed: get out of your car and change the tyre yourself.
When that day comes, you’ll want to be ready; you’ll want to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and with as little stress and risk to yourself as possible. Read on, and prepare yourself.
Know the ropes.
When you’re actually faced with changing a tyre on a dark roadside, you won’t want to be reading an instruction manual. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to make a dry-run at changing a tyre in a place and at a time that is convenient for you, such as in your driveway or a parking lot. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the process in optimum conditions. Once you can manage it in daylight, try it a few times at night.
Keep necessary equipment in your vehicle.
“Necessary equipment” includes a spare tyre (preferably inflated), a car jack, a brick (to wedge against a front tyre, if you’re changing a rear one), a cross wrench, an air-pressure gauge, a flashlight, a clip-mounted light, and road flares. To be especially well-prepared, extra lug nuts in the appropriate size, a can of WD-40, and work gloves are also a good idea. For the sake of convenience, store these items in a single bag or carrying case in the trunk of your car.
Move the car to a safe location.
When you’re driving and feel the tyre blow out, make a conscious effort to get the car off the road and away from traffic. If you’re on a bend when it happens, try to get the vehicle to where the road straightens out; that way, you won’t be in a blind spot for oncoming cars.
Stay visible.
Leave your headlights and hazard blinkers on. Distribute the flares, making sure that they’re far enough away from your car to give approaching drivers enough response time to steer clear of your vehicle.
Prepare your worksite.
Gather all the rest of you tyre-changing equipment and put it next to the flattened tyre so that you have all your gear close to hand. If you’ve compiled your “emergency kit” into a single container or bag as noted before, these items will be efficient and easy to carry; you won’t have to worry about dropping items and losing them in the dark, or having to make extra trips.
Get down to business.
Go ahead and change the tyre, just as you practiced. Just in case, always remain aware of oncoming traffic as you work. Be ready to get out of the way quickly if necessary.
Wrap up loose ends.
Once the tyre is changed, you can be on your way…but you’re not done quite yet. Most spare tyres are called “50-milers” for good reason. They’re not made for long-term or high-speed travel, so keep your speed under 50 miles per hour and stop at the nearest establishment where you can have your original tyre fixed, or purchase a new tyre as a replacement.
In the context of our busy lives, it may seem silly or pointless to devote precious time to preparing for a “what if” situation. We tend to think that our time could be better spent on other, more productive endeavors. When that fateful day comes, though—that day, or that night, when you find yourself stranded on a deserted highway with your cell phone on the blink—those few hours of preparation will pay off, and you’ll be glad you spent them as you did.
Watch a Tyre Being Serviced
Sometimes just seeing what they do to fix your tyres can take the mystery out of it all. I found this video on youtube that might be interesting for those of us that have never seen a tyre being worked on before.
Tyre Care -Tips & Tricks
Looking after your tyres is the first step to motoring safety. There’s a few things that you can do (like the way you drive and regular maintenance) to maximise the life of your tyres while also keeping a close eye on the condition of your vehicle.
Below is an article from Claire Taylor who talks about the care of your tyres in a no nonsense, easy to understand way.
Tyre Care Tips and Tricks
Tyre Care Tips and Tricks
Tyre care is important to maximise the performance and life span of your tyres. Since tyres are the only contact point between you and the road, it is important that you take good care of them to ensure your safety and mobility.
You can enhance the performance and quality of your tyres’ lives by examining tyre pressure, tread path, consistency and with frequent tyre servicing.
You need to check the pressure regularly and should ensure that they are inflated to the recommended levels. Studies indicate that underinflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency. Check your hand book or consult your local service provider to know more about pressure checking and related information.
Analysing the tread depth is another important way to ensure safety. If the tyres do not have recommended level of tread depth, the wheels will not stick to the road properly. By measuring the depth of the tread you can know whether a wheel needs replacement.
You can insert a tyre tread depth gauge if you have one and check it by yourself. You can also talk to a mechanic to know more about the tread depth conditions.
It is better not to use different brands of tyres on the same vehicle. Ensuring the consistency of your wheels is important for your own safety and the wheels’ performance and life.
When you send your car for servicing, make sure that the wheels are rotated in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. This way you can ensure them maximum life.
You also need to check your rims regularly to ensure that there are no chips or damage. Also make sure that there is no unusual damage on the walls of your wheels and that the rims are dust free.
Another good tip is to avoid hard acceleration and hard braking since it can lead to excessive tyre wear and increased fuel consumption.
The best way to enhance your tyre’s life is to drive safely and accelerate gently, so take care of your tyres and drive safely.
Find out more about Tyre Care by visiting http://www.cloverautos.co.uk.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_L_Taylor
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tyre-Care-Tips-and-Tricks&id=5765664
