Five Important Visual Checks When Buying a Second Hand Car

1. Correct Tyre Pressure Regularly check your car tyres are not under or over inflated. Under inflation causes greater flexing of the rubber, increasing the operating temperature and reducing the tyre's lifespan. The wear on the edge or shoulder of the tyre is increased and damage can be caused to the vehicle's suspension when driving over a pothole. Under inflation also results in poor fuel economy. Increased rolling resistance makes a car engine work harder and uses more fuel. Over inflation is equally bad by increasing the wear in the centre of a car tyre's tread; an area important for protecting the tyre against impact damage. To find the recommended tyre pressure check the owner's manual or look for a plaque on the inside of the fuel flap.

2. Balance and Alignment Whenever your car tyres are repaired or replaced make sure they are correctly balanced when remounted on your car. If not this will cause vibrations, increasing tyre wear, damaging suspension and leading to driver fatigue. Correct alignment is necessary to have the steering, suspension, wheel components and car tyres all working in harmony to achieve the optimum performance from your vehicle. It doesn't cost much for your local garage or car tyre specialist to check the vehicle's balance or alignment. Without it the resulting cost of repair will be far greater.

3. Inspection A visual inspection once a month does not take long and is important to maintain your car tyres in a safe condition. Check the tread depth. Most tyres have a tread wear indicator built into them. Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm. When the height of the tread wears down to the height of this bar it is time to replace your car tyres. Check the car tyres for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tread and sidewall rubber for any signs of cracking. If found change the tyre as soon as possible as cracking can cause a blow-out. Remove any stones and other objects stuck in a car tyre's tread. If a nail is found embedded in the rubber, do not remove as the tyre will rapidly deflate. Instead take the tyre to a specialist who may be able to repair the puncture.

4. Repairs Don't risk driving on a car tyre that is losing pressure. Take it to a specialist who will give the tyre a complete inspection and make the decision whether it can be repaired or replaced. Driving on a flat tyre for even a short distance will damage it beyond repair. Never try repairing a car tyre yourself. This should be handled by a trained professional.

5. Tyre Rotation The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed on all of the car tyres. By regularly rotating the tyres their lifespan is extended and uneven car tyre wear is avoided. Get an instant online tyre quote now or contact your nearest fitting centre to see how much you can save with Merityre car tyres specialist!