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Extend your car’s life 5 wheel checks to keep bills down
Wasting money is a cure in itself - eventually there will be no more money to waste. Nobody wants to part with their hard-earned money unless they have to. And when it comes to cars, there are lots of things you can do to avoid the dreaded money drain.
You don’t always need to be a skilled mechanic to get things sorted. Knowing the basics also helps you to avoid being conned at the workshop. Here is the second in our series of #carfirsttimes, to help you save when it comes to wheels and tyres.
Quick fixes for wheels and tyres
1. Tyre rotation
Front tyres wear more quickly than rear ones. By changing them, you help ensure even wear, and you won’t have to replace them early. Your owner’s manual will tell you when to switch. At the very least, you must replace them once they are worn to prevent loss of control, especially on wet roads. An easy way to check?
“Check wear by using a 50 cents coin and fitting it into the tyre tread. If you can see the shield of the Singapore emblem, you have to change your tyre. Failure to do so will cause your car to have insufficient traction.” carro.sg
Modern tyres often have built in tread wear bars – check them regularly. If your tread is too low, replace. New tyres may seem expensive, but they're far cheaper than an accident.
2. Wheel alignment
Good indications that your wheels are out of alignment are:
- Your car seems to drift to one side of the road
- You have to turn the steering wheel away from center to drive straight
Wheels that are not properly aligned can impact fuel consumption, be a safety hazard, and cause premature wear and tear. Alignment can be altered by hitting a curb when parking, or driving through a deep pothole. Anything that jolts the car’s suspension.
But before heading to the workshop and handing over cash, check your tyre pressure. You car may also veer to one side due to underinflated tyres. This you can fix yourself at your nearest petrol station. Much cheaper!
3. Brake dust
Brake dust contains unpleasant stuff picked up from the road. This hardens on your wheels when mixed with Singapore’s moisture and heat. Clean cold water and a damp sponge is the best way to get it off.
Regular checks and maintenance are sure-fire ways to ensure that you and your car have a great future together.
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