BETTER PARTSChanging tyres but right!
Stuttgart, March 29, 2016
The Easter days are over, now it is time for the change from winter to summer tires slowly. There's a lot to keep in mind how the testing organization GTÜ tells.
Which tyres to choose?
If a completely new set is bought summer tires, the views of appropriate tests is recommended. Important criteria are include handling, braking, rolling resistance, noise and wear. Almost always applies: it saves at extremely cheap No-Name-Produkten on the wrong end, for a few euros more, there are tire out the good midfield. Contrary to popular belief, wide tires exhibit by the way no disadvantages compared with their normal brethren. This is true for both the aquaplaning and rolling resistance, which is even lower.
When is a tire new?
Speaking of new tires: as featured offers should be no older than three years. Also due to mere storage, tires can age so the GTÜ. Age is measured in so-called DOT number. It is located on the tire sidewall, the last four digits reveal the production date. 5015 is available, for example, for the 50th calendar week of the year 2015. If the dealer tells you something of an age limit: this is wrong. Modern tyres contain antioxidants, so do not change the properties of the material. According to manufacturers like Michelin, up to ten years is no problem, then sailed anyway usually the profile.
A question of depth
Summer tyres are already available, the profile must suffice. The law requires at least 1.6 mm, but 3 mm and more are recommended. During installation, you should always make sure that the tires with the better profile for security reasons are always mounted on the rear axle. This achieves a uniform wear. In a swap of pairs between the axles you may but never change the tyre from left to right, often they are namely direction bound. Important for new tyres: the first 300 kilometers Cavalier starts and sporty manoeuvres should be avoided. The mounting paste, which you get the tires without damage to the rim, should be dried only. Otherwise, can twist slightly the tire on the rim, and needs to be balanced.
Balancing makes sense
New tires are never installed in the workshop without balancing. This measure of the GTÜ is recommended also for used tires. In the course of time imbalance can arise, such as driving over curbs. The results are a "fluttering" steering wheel or vibration at higher speeds. Even the increases tire wear. Generally, a check for wear and damage is advisable prior to Assembly of tires.
Don't forget the fifth wheel
Who change his tire itself, must pay attention to the correct torque, with which he tightens the wheel bolts. This so-called torque is available in the instruction manual and can be checked with a torque wrench. Last but not least, the correct tire inflation pressure is important: his values are in the manual, but also in the gas cap or the driver's door. Forget not the spare tire should to be able to use it directly in the event of a breakdown. A high filling pressure is discouraged, he wears off the tire Center more, at the same time reduce the liability and the cornering stability. (rh)