On the road again - More Economical Motoring
Wheels and Tyres
Tyres are your only contact with the road and need to be in good condition. Any wear on the tread indicates problems which may not have been remedied. Inspect all of the rims for damage. Scoring and dents around rims and on hub-caps are signs that they have contacted something hard, maybe a kerb. This can buckle the wheel and throw the alignment out. When you go round the tyres - don't forget the spare. Tread depth is important. If too worn, you will be up for new tyres before you know it and you can add the cost to the price you are paying for the car. Signs to look for on the tyres are as follows:
- Wear around the centre of the tread means the pressure has been too high.
- Wear on both outside and inside is the reverse - air pressure too low.
- Wear in regular patches like coin spots around the circumference of the tread points to faulty shock-absorbers. If you notice something like this, pay special attention during the test-drive to the way the vehicle recovers after running over bumps - if the hood seems to float as it rises and falls, the shockers will most likely need replacing.
- Scrubbing on only one side indicates that the wheel alignment needs adjustment. This is a problem which only affects the front tyres, but remember that it's easy enough for the seller to swap front to back. The highest cause of tyre wear is down to camber mis-alignment – that’s when the wheels are no longer sitting at right-angles to the road surface, causing greater pressure and friction on one side of the tread. To check this properly, you will have to get down and dirty. Lay on the ground and look carefully at the treads, in particular outside and inside. If there is any wear at all – it may only be a few centimetres – there could be an alignment problem that hasn’t been fixed. Get this attended to straight away, either as a condition of sale, or at your own expense after you’ve bought the car. If the job is done properly, steering components and wheel bearings will also be checked, which means better, safer driving for you.
- Beware of recaps (retreads). These are recycled cases that have had new treads moulded on. They are easily recognisable from the line where the cap joins the original case on the wall of the tyre. Second-rate substitutes, they should only ever be fitted with a tube, and must not under any circumstances be driven at high speed. Whenever you replace your tyres, always go for new - it's safer and cheaper in the long run. You only get what you pay for and quality will win out every time.
- If you have a particular make and model of car in mind to buy, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommended type and size before you go car-hunting. The originals on the car you are considering may have been replaced, and if they are not to the correct specifications, you could face problems. If the profile is wrong – that’s the distance from road surface to the lowest edge of the rim – the speedometer won’t give an accurate reading, which could cost you a speeding fine. And although wide, mag wheels, raised suspension and flared guards might look cool, there’s a possibility the custom make-over might be illegal.
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