The ute perfectly combines the rugged functionality of a pickup truck with the nimble handling and style of an urban sedan. But as with any vehicle, your ute\'s responsiveness can quickly diminish if you run into tyre trouble. Ute drivers of Queensland should regularly visit a mechanic to have their tyres and other ute parts inspected. If you notice any of the following six signs of tyre problems, consider getting new tyres right away.
Does Your Ute Need New Tyres?
Tread Depth Wearing Thin
Tyres usually have a tread depth of 8mm or 9mm when new. Over time, this tread depth naturally wears down. As it shrinks, your vehicle becomes more susceptible to skidding and hydroplaning.
The minimum tread depth by law in Australia is 1.6mm, but it\'s unwise to drive your ute on tyres under 3mm of depth. All it takes is a single tyre to lose traction to instigate a skid.
Blistering Tyre Rubber
The internal parts of a tyre can become damaged by a strong enough impact from a pothole, curb, or rock in the road. If the inner tubing gets broken, air can escape and become trapped under the upper layers of rubber.
This trapped air often forms a visible blister or bubble in the rubber. Any such blistering means the tyre has become structurally unsound, and it will have to be replaced. Even extremely safe vehicles are put at risk by weakened blistering tyres.
Deep Cracks In the Treads or Sidewall
Eventually, every tyre develops hairline cracks in between the treads and in the sidewalls. Tiny cracks are harmless enough, but when cracks grow over an inch in length, your tyre is weakened and might blow out on the road.
Beware the Powerful Queensland Sunshine
The sweltering heat of our local summers can take its toll on tyre rubber. Over time, various chemicals in the rubber begin to evaporate, which dries the tyre out. The UV rays in strong sunlight also have a steadily deteriorating effect. If you want your tyres to last longer, it\'s best to park your ute in a garage or under shade.
Embedded Objects In the Rubber
Nails, scraps of metal, and even sharp stones can occasionally get stuck in a tyre. When you inspect your tyres, look out for any small embedded objects. Always pull them out to see how deeply they penetrated the rubber. An embedded object might conceal a puncture which puts the tyre at risk of a blowout.
Inexplicable Air Loss
It\'s recommended to check the air pressure of your tyres at least once a month. If you notice a tyre\'s pressure dropping inexplicably over time, that tyre might have a hidden puncture. This is a danger to you and the tyre will have to go.
Strange Vibrations While Driving
A ute\'s handling should be silky smooth. If you start feeling odd vibrations, there are a number of possible causes, one of which is tyre damage. Check your tyres for signs of trouble as soon as you can.
Ask for Tyre Inspection When Installing New Ute Parts
When it comes to your tyres, as with your health, regular checkups are the key to robust long-term health. Apart from your own monthly or bi-monthly tyre inspections, also ask your local technician to inspect your tyres every time you go in for servicing or new parts.
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