Looking After Your Wheels And Tyres

One aspect of car ownership that has come to the fore in the last couple of decades is the matter of wheels. Long gone are the days when all the wheels did was support the four corners and were usually made of steel. Today, steel wheels still have their place; they are cheaper, tough, durable, sometimes repairable and are ideal when rugged terrain is involved. They can be covered by hub caps, rust proofed and painted. Yes, they are heavier than alloys but there is still much to recommend them. For example, some drivers like to switch to a set of winter tyres when that season arrives; would it make sense to put them on cheaper, strong steel wheels? It’s a thought.

The main thing though is wheels (and the tyres on them) should be kept clean to embellish the looks and to keep them in tip-top condition. Wheels and especially tyres are checked at MOT Test time, so it’s a good idea to ask your local professional car servicing garage to examine them, perhaps during the annual service or as a pre-MOT check. Adding a pre-MOT check to look for any potential fail points may add a little to the cost but imagine the relief when the car subsequently sails through the MOT without a blemish to its name.

But Alloys Rule, Right?

That said, we do like our alloys these days. They are lighter, definitely (for the most part) more attractive and they make our cars look good. Alloy wheels though are not so tough and, if damaged, are beyond repair if the structure is in any way deformed. Chips and the inevitable ‘kerbing’ can be repaired and it’s worth it because a nice clean set of alloys help to sell a car when it is time to move the vehicle on to a new home.

Taking Care Of Your Alloy Wheels

It’s generally accepted that alloy wheels should be cleaned every week or so and this is especially true if you live in a coastal environment where the car may be subject to salt erosion. Salt causes oxidation, which corrodes the metal.

A lot of the grime seen on alloys (other than the normal road dirt) is brake dust. This is a dark-coloured build-up of material from the brake pads which is either ceramic or metallic debris, depending on the brake pad type, as well as microscopic iron particles from the brake rotors. This dust is largely responsible for wheel damage over time and it’s the same for all alloys.

Wash the alloys in the usual way (snow foam is fine and is said to give extra protection) but then apply a branded wheel cleaner with a wheel brush or even an old nail brush to get at any older embedded dust and dirt. Wear gloves to be on the safe side. A further quick wash over and then dry with a microfibre cloth and then, why not attend to the tyres? You are already wet and cold so it won’t make any difference.

Tyre Care

Tyre cleaning should be undertaken every couple of months, although it might just as well be done at the same time as you clean your alloys. Using a branded tyre cleaning product followed by some form of tyre dressing makes the tyres look like new and gives a showroom shine. Try to avoid spraying any product on the brake assembly. It is one of those jobs that you don’t fancy but are always pleased when you have done it. Check the tyre pressures too: Tyres correctly inflated roll better, are more comfortable and last longer.

This is also a good time to inspect the tyres for any form of damage (cuts or cracking in side walls for example) and also to examine tyre tread depth. The minimum tread depth across the tyre is 1.6mm; anything less and it’s an MOT fail. Of course, they are an expensive item but correctly balanced and cared for they should last a long time. If money is tight there are some excellent budget brands of tyres available that are suitable for most mainstream cars. They won’t last as long perhaps (this depends on many factors like driving style). Obviously high-powered cars need the best rubber so generally buy the best you can afford.

Just as an afterthought, it is worth mentioning that, like us, tyres do age. It is conceivable that tyres on the back end of a front-wheel-drive vehicle will likely last a very long time but that is not necessarily a good thing. The rubber dries out and the side wall start to crackover time. Ask your garage professional for a tyre inspection if concerned about the age of the tyres.

The Last Word

It’s easy to overlook the wheels and tyres; after all, drivers have a lot to think about these days, what with emission rules, the all-important regular routine car servicing and the general cost of motoring. Nevertheless, take time to care for your wheels, alloys or steels, and they will take care of you.