Rule number 1. The average daily temperature should be above 7 degrees.
A seasonal change of rubber is recommended when the air temperature exceeds 7 degrees Celsius. Under this temperature, summer rubber succumbs to its resiliency and grip characteristics even on dry asphalt, and the wear begins.
Rule number 2. Bald tyres can be fined.
In the UAE, there is a list of malfunctions and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited.
For non-compliance with this requirement, the traffic police inspector can give you a ticket. Still, he has the right to do this only when specially organized events are carried out using the necessary technical means. Also, an automobile with patched tyres will not pass the inquiry. Therefore, the manufacturers recommend changing summer tyres to new ones when the tread depth is reduced to 3 mm.
Rule number 3. Put tyres the same size as on the car from the factory.
You should select tyre sizes per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Abnormal ones can adversely affect handling and comfort, distort the speedometer readings, not fit into the seats, or touch the body or suspension elements. Summer tyres can have symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional tread patterns. The latter two, as a rule, have pronounced channels that better drain water from the contact patch and behave more reliably on wet surfaces. However, these tyres are slightly more expensive and require proper fitting.
Rule number 4. Warn the master about pressure sensors.
There is an arrow-shaped indicator of the direction of rotation on the sidewall of tyres with a directional tread pattern. There is an OUTSIDE inscription on the outside of asymmetric tyres, which must always be outside. Mounting errors will lead to a sharp deterioration in tyre performance. In addition, you can change only left or right wheels between each other.
The tyre technician should be warned about the wheels with pressure sensors. In case of inept tyre disassembly, expensive sensors can be damaged. In addition, it is worth keeping plastic wheel bolt caps in stock which often break even when using a proprietary tool.
Before balancing the wheels, the master must clean the rims from dirt as efficiently as possible, and the mounted tyres must also be clean.
Rule # 5: Inflate the Wheels as Recommended by the Carmaker
The car manufacturer sets the tyre pressure recommendations, and the norms for different wheel sizes on the same car may differ. In addition, the recommended pressure depends on the vehicle’s load: the more passengers and cargo in the cabin, the more the tyres need to be inflated.
Improper tyre pressure affects the vehicle’s handling and braking properties and leads to premature tyre wear. Accelerated wear of the central part of the tread indicates excessive pressure, while the sidewalls indicate insufficient pressure. If the car is not equipped with tyre pressure sensors, it is recommended to check it at least twice a month and always on cooled wheels.
Rule number 6. Research tyre markings
The type label contains information on the dimension of the tyre, that is, the diameter, width and height of the tread. The number and letter at the end encode the maximum load and maximum permissible speed indices.
Tyres designed for off-road vehicles are often labelled with the letters SUV – they have a more rigid structure designed for high off-road loads. Another critical parameter is the load index, which for off-road vehicles must be at least 100 (that is, 800 kg per wheel).
Ensure that your vehicle is equipped with the best corresponding tyres. Do not settle for cheap tyres. For example, suppose you own an SUV; the tyres installed should be one of the top-rated SUV tyres.
Rule number 7. Sign up for tyre service in advance
The peak of queues at tyre shops occurs on weekends after setting warm weather. Waiting cannot be avoided entirely, but many workshops are ready to work by appointment for a specific time, which is worth considering in advance.
Rule # 8. Store tyres upright
tyres without disks should not be suspended or stacked on top of each other – it is better to put them vertically on special racks, changing their position monthly. Complete wheels, on the other hand, can be stored horizontally or suspended from the disc. Before keeping tyres and wheels, it is recommended to wash, pebble, and mark the tyre’s position with chalk. You can drop off your tyres and wheels for seasonal warehouse storage, where all rules will be followed.
