|
|
| |
Wheel
alignment
D&R Tyres, Speke, Liverpool
| The
correct alignment of your wheels is very important. Incorrectly aligned wheels
can wear your tyres more quickly, affect the handling of your car and even cause
you to use more fuel. Ask us to check and adjust the alignment to correct any
problems.
Tyre
Care - The importance of correct tyre pressure
The
correct tyre pressure is vital for both safety and for extending the life of your
tyre. You should check your tyre pressures monthly, including the spare and before
any long distance driving. Make sure the tyre pressures match the pressures recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer. Tyre pressures should if possible be checked cold.
If tyre pressures are checked hot, add 4 to 5 psi (0.3 bar) to the recommended
pressures. In the case of unusual pressure loss, the internal and external condition
of the tyre should be checked, as well as the condition of the wheel and valve.
Get a grip on tyre pressures!
| |
Maximum
grip on the road is vital for road safety.
This can only be achieved with
the correct pressure in your tyres.
EU
directives
To
reduce the impact tyres have on the environment and to promote road safety, a
new EU regulation came into force on 1 November 2012 that is designed to make
it easier for motorists to compare different tyres. From this date all new tyres
for cars, vans, 4x4 and most trucks have to display a standard format label that
indicates three key aspects of a tyre; fuel efficiency, wet grip performance and
external rolling noise. Similar in style to energy labels for white goods, these
labels provide comparable information about a tyre regardless of the brand or
tread pattern. By using clear pictograms, the label allows motorists to make informed
choices when buying tyres, ranked on a scale from A (best) to G (worst). Certain
types of tyre, such as; T-type temporary use tyres, off-road tyres, racing tyres,
vintage car tyres and re-tread tyres are excluded from this regulation.
Tyres
are responsible for between 20 and 30% of a vehicle's fuel consumption. As a tyre
rolls it uses energy and so a tyre that has a lower rolling resistance will use
less energy and this has a direct impact on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
Choosing tyres ranked A (best) over tyres ranked G (worst) can reduce fuel consumption
by up to 7.5%. This equates to a typical annual fuel saving of 120 litres or £168
(based on 12000 miles and £1.4/l). Currently D is not used on the scale
to provide a clear distinction between higher and less efficient tyres.
Call
Today for a FREE Quote 0151
792 6505
3D
4 Wheel Alignment
All
cars should have their wheels aligned professionally every year or at their scheduled
service interval.The good news is D&R Tyres offer a state-of-the-art wheel
alignment service. Using digital cameras our new 3D Image Aligner captures your
vehicle’s alignment in 3 dimensional space without reference to the lift
or the horizontal plane. By placing reflective targets on the vehicle’s wheels,
full alignment readings are achieved. If adjustments need to be made we will complete
the work there and then.
Do you feel your car pulling to the left or right? Is there a vibration in
your steering wheel? These are indications that you may be in need of a proper
wheel alignment.
Performing a wheel alignment will help reduce uneven
tire wear, increase the life of your tyres, increase petrol/diesel mileage and
provide you with an overall safer drive.
D&R Tyres offer the latest
in 3D wheel alignment technology. Our wheel alignment system allows us to provide
you with quick service with the most precise level of calibration.
Notice
any signs of improper wheel alignment - bring your car into us and we'll have
a look.
Our service is FREE and a computer printout is provided - You
only pay us if you would like us to re-align your wheels.
You don't
even need an appointment
Technical
Information
Wheel Alignment or tracking, is important for good
road holding and to maximise the life of the tyres. Hitting a kerb or driving
at speed through a pot hole can result in misalignment. To have your wheels aligned
by us simply pop in and see us.
For most cars aligning the front wheels
will resolve many of the uneven tyre wear problems. However there will be some
cases where all 4 wheels will need to be aligned. On checking your vehicle our
technicians can advise on requirements and if adjustments can be made will advise
of the additional cost.
The direction and angle at which tyres are set
are both important. Wheel alignment involves checking the direction and angle
against vehicle manufacturers' specifications and are both equally important.
You may hear these described as toe in, toe out, positive camber or negative camber.
The "Toe" refers to whether the front of the tyres across an axle
are closer or further apart than the rear of the tyres. Different types of vehicles
need different toe settings to allow for the way that wheels pull either towards
each other or apart.
The "Camber" is the inward or outward
tilt of a tyre and is specified by the vehicle manufacturer. It can be affected
by potholes in the road and needs to be checked regularly to see if any adjustment
is required.
Incorrect wheel alignment can result in rapid wearing on
the edges of the tyre and could affect the handling on the vehicle and certainly
mean a replacement earlier than would otherwise be required. An example reading
would be 2-4-4mm or as in the image (below right) 2-1-0mm.
Tyre
Wear
There is no set pattern to wear and tear, it can be down
to type of driving, location etc.
On a front wheel drive car the front
tyres will usually wear more quickly due to the increased work load on the front
axle. High performance cars will also wear tyres much quicker than a less powerful
car due to the additional power going through the drive wheels.
Premature
wear can be caused by incorrect tyre pressures, incorrect wheel alignment or overloading
of the vehicle.
Over
inflation
This will cause the tyres to wear more in
the centre of the tread as the central section bulges out. An example tread depth
reading would be 4 - 2 - 4 mm.
Under
inflation
This will cause the tyres to wear more on
both tyre edges as the central part bulges in. An example tread depth reading
would be 2- -4 - 2 mm.
Our
recommendation
We recommend that you visually check
your tyres weekly for signs of wear or irregular wear. If in doubt call into see
us for a free check.
| |
| |
