As the main role of tyres is to keep your car in contact with the road, they play a vital role in the safety and stopping power of your car.

Ensuring that your vehicle is always in optimal condition is essential for your safety and comfort on the road. One of the best ways to do this is through regular car servicing. This practice not only maintains the longevity of your vehicle but also prevents the occurrence of potentially dangerous problems while alerting you of any issues with your tyres. As such, it is highly recommended that you have your tyres checked every time your car undergoes a service.

In addition to keeping your tyres in check, having your car serviced also presents the opportunity for a professional mechanic to perform a wheel rotation or wheel balancing on your vehicle. This may seem like an insignificant detail, but it can significantly improve your driving experience.

Maintaining optimal tyre condition is essential for ensuring your safety and maximising the performance of your vehicle. While you may have the basic knowledge to check your tyres, the expertise of certified professionals at Thompsons Auto Repairs goes far beyond just a superficial inspection.

Our skilled technicians can evaluate every aspect of your tyres condition. From tread wear patterns to sidewall bulges, we examine every nook and cranny of your tyre to detect any signs of damage or wear.

If you're searching for expert guidance regarding your vehicle's tyres, Thompsons Auto Repairs can offer you a comprehensive consultation. Not only can they evaluate the condition of your tyres, but they can also detect any underlying issues that may have a negative impact on their longevity, including problems with your wheel alignment, tyre balance, brakes, and suspension. Their professional insight and experience will help safeguard both you and your vehicle, ensuring that your tyres remain in optimal condition and reducing the risk of any potential safety hazards.

Tyres eventually wear out over time, an unavoidable process which is quickened by hard braking and regular high speed driving as well as uneven road surfaces. Unless there are problems causing uneven tyre wear or bald spots or there is other significant damage, the depth of the tread on the tyre is usually the best indicator your tyres are due for replacement. Although the legal minimum tread depth varies, a good rule of thumb is when tread depth is approaching 1.6mm you should think about buying new tyres.

The role of the tyre tread cannot be overstated as it serves as a crucial factor in ensuring a smooth and safe driving experience. Not only does the tread provide the necessary traction to propel the vehicle forward, but it also offers the necessary friction to bring it to a halt with maximum efficiency. Moreover, the tyre tread plays a vital role in preventing the occurrence of aquaplaning, by effectively channeling away the water from the surface of the tyre, thereby ensuring optimal grip and control on wet surfaces.

It goes without saying that the tread depth is of paramount importance in determining the vehicle's control and maneuverability in wet driving conditions. In fact, the deeper the tread, the better the vehicle's grip and stability on the road.

When it comes to tyres, it's important to understand that their longevity is directly correlated to how well you care for them.

Tyre pressure is not just important to ensure you get the best fuel economy from your vehicle. Incorrect tyre pressure is a common cause of tyre damage as pressure and wear is directed at areas of the tyre not designed to take it. Perhaps most importantly the pressure of your tyres can have a direct impact on the driveability, and therefore the safety, of the vehicle.

You should check your tyres yourself on a regular basis to ensure they are in good condition. Be on the lookout for bald or flat spots, tears and cuts in the surface of the tyre and any foreign objects likely to cause problems such as stones, nails and other road debris. You should also have a tyre professional give them a check on a regular basis as they have the knowledge and equipment to properly check the entire tyre and may spot issues you simply don't see.

Tyres will suffer from wear and tear at varying rates. The front and rear tyres for example will wear at different rates as front tyres generally carry more weight than rear ones, meaning faster heat build-up and therefore increased wear. The tyres on either side of your car will also tend to wear at different rates to those on the opposite side.

Having your tyres rotated regularly, every 7500 to 10,000 km for example, can help to ensure that all of your tyres wear at a similar rate and in the same places. Thompsons Auto Repairs will be happy to undertake this task for you and inspect each tyre as they do it, letting you know of any issues that might present a problem or you should otherwise be aware of.

Regular wheel alignment is a crucial aspect of ensuring that your vehicle operates smoothly and safely. By keeping your wheels in proper alignment, you can prevent premature or uneven tyre wear, improve handling, and increase fuel efficiency. A properly aligned set of wheels ensures that the contact patch of the tyre is evenly distributed, thereby ensuring optimal grip on the road surface.

Furthermore, wheel balancing is another important factor to consider in maintaining your vehicle's performance and safety. When your wheels are out of balance, they can cause unwanted vibration that can negatively affect the overall performance of your vehicle. A balanced set of wheels minimises the chances of tyre wear, increases your vehicle's handling, and promotes a comfortable and stable ride.

No matter how well you care for your tyres there will come a time when the only option for maintaining safety, comfort and fuel economy of your car is to have the tyres replaced, such as when they have reached the minimum tread depth.

Thompsons Auto Repairs supply and fit a range of tyres suitable for most vehicle types in our Port Pirie car service workshop...