Other than the driver at the wheel, the most significant safety feature of a car is its tyres.

You can have enough airbags to start a bouncy-castle hire business, and more active safety sensors than a spaceship, but if your tyres aren’t fit for purpose you are exposing yourself, your passengers and other road users to the risks of an accident.

Maintaining your car's tyres is essential for safety, performance, and longevity. But how do look after them? Especially given for car enthusiasts, tyres represent more than just a functional part of the car – they're an integral component of the steering response, handling, ride comfort, and overall driving dynamics. Ask any vehicle dynamics engineer for their opinion on the importance of tyres, and they’ll tell you how significant their influence is on a car’s behaviour.

So it pays to look after them as well as choose your next set wisely. Here are 10 tips to ensure your tyres stay in top condition.

1. Regularly check tyre pressures‍

You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again: regularly check your car’s tyre pressures. How regularly? If it’s a daily driver then do it each time you fill with fuel. If it’s more of a plaything for the weekend, every fortnight is a good idea.

This may seem like a chore but tyre pressures affect every aspect of your car's performance, from road holding and braking to fuel efficiency and tyre wear. This is particularly crucial for performance vehicles where the balance of pressure across all four tyres can significantly affect handling. Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge, or better yet, invest in a portable tyre inflator with a digital display for added accuracy.

It's worth noting that tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold. Driving warms up the tyres, causing the air inside to expand and providing an inaccurate reading. Refer to your vehicle’s handbook or the sticker inside the driver’s door frame for the recommended pressures. Bear in mind that some cars require different pressures for the front and rear tyres.

For long journeys, allow for the size of the tyre and the payload or speeds the car will be travelling at. Again, the handbook or information labels should detail this. And when you’re done, if it’s a modern car remember to reset the tyre pressure monitoring system.‍

2. Inflation for long-term storage‍

If your car is going into storage for a significant period, take extra precautions to protect your tyres. Inflate them to the upper limit of their recommended pressure range to reduce the risk of flat spots developing. Flatspots occur when the weight of the vehicle rests on one part of the tyre for an extended time, distorting its shape.

A neat bit of kit to invest in is a set of tyre cushions. When you consider the cost of a set of new tyres for a supercar– a set of Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico for a Ferrari F40 is nearly £3140 – and a set of tyre cushions is a couple of hundred quid, it’s easy to see their appeal. The concave cushion helps spread the contact area and supports each wheel's contour to even-out the load distribution, helping prevent flatspotting. We recommend Tyre Dox, which are made from 93 per cent recycled rubber and are really robust.

3. Check the date of manufacture‍

Every tyre has a limited lifespan, typically around six to ten years, depending on usage and storage conditions. The date of manufacture is imprinted on the sidewall as part of the DOT code. Look for a four-digit number; for example,"0221" means the tyre was manufactured in the second week of 2021. Even if the tread looks fine, rubber degrades over time, leading to reduced performance and increased risk of failure. For high-speed driving or track use, always ensure your tyres are well within their effective lifespan or you could end up being an unwitting star of a viral video, or worse…

4. Check tyre tread depths‍

Tyre tread depth directly affects grip, especially in wet conditions. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across 75 per cent of the width, but for optimal performance, it is recommended to replace tyres when the tread reaches 3mm.

Uneven wear patterns can be a sign of underlying issues. For example, excessive wear on the edges of the tyres often indicates under-inflation, while wear in the centre suggests over-inflation. Cupping or scalloping – an uneven, wavy pattern – can be caused by worn suspension components or unbalanced wheels.

Regularly inspecting your tread can help identify and address these problems before they escalate. Get yourself a tread depth gauge – we use a digital unit from Sealey that measures air pressure and tread depth, costs just £15 and is nice and compact to keep in a glovebox.

5. Look for inside edge wear

‍On heavier cars, particularly those with sporty suspension setups, the inside edge of the rear tyres is prone to wear due to negative camber. This design improves cornering performance but can accelerate wear if the camber is excessive or not properly adjusted. Use a tread depth gauge to check the inside edge, as this area is often overlooked during routine inspections. If you notice significant wear, consider having the suspension geometry checked and adjusted by a specialist.

6. Inspect for damage‍

Tyres are vulnerable to a range of physical damage, from cuts and tears to punctures and bulges. A bulge in the sidewall is particularly dangerous, as it indicates internal structural damage and could lead to a blowout. Similarly, cuts or tears near the shoulder of the tyre compromise its integrity and should not be ignored. If you find a nail or screw embedded in the tread, have it repaired professionally using a proper plug-and-patch method. Avoid temporary fixes like tyre sealants for anything beyond an emergency, as they can mask more serious damage.

To check tyres over, have someone give you a hand, by rolling the car slowly away from you as you perform a visual inspection using a torch. This will show up any nasty cuts, bulges or nails that could need attention.

7. Balance your wheels‍

Wheel imbalance not only affects ride comfort but also accelerates tyre wear and puts strain on suspension components. If you feel vibrations through the steering wheel at certain speeds, the front wheels are likely out of balance.Vibrations through the seat usually point to an issue with the rear wheels. Balancing involves attaching small weights to the wheel to counteract uneven distribution of mass. It’s a quick procedure that can significantly improve driving comfort and tyre longevity. Always have your wheels balanced when fitting new tyres or get them redone if you notice persistent vibrations.

8. Rotate tyres‍

Tyre rotation involves changing the position of your tyres to ensure they wear evenly. This is particularly important for cars with a distinct front-to-rear weight bias or those with front-wheel drive, where the front tyres bear the brunt of acceleration, braking, and steering forces. For rear-wheel drive cars, the rear tyres often wear faster. Rotating your tyres every six months helps maximise their lifespan and maintain balanced performance.

For symmetrical tyres, rotation patterns are flexible, allowing for criss-crossing or front-to-rear swaps. Whereas directional and asymmetric tyres require specific rotation patterns. Directional tyres, identified by an arrow on the sidewall, must maintain their direction of travel. This means they can only be swapped front-to-rear on the same side. Asymmetric tyres, marked with "Outside" on one sidewall, must also remain on their designated side of the car.

9. Wheel alignment‍

Wheel alignment is critical for ensuring your car tracks straight and handles predictably. Misaligned wheels not only cause uneven tyre wear but also increase fuel consumption and will annoy the heck out of you – for example, the car will pull to one side of the road or the steering wheel will have a bit of angle to it when the car’s on a straight section of road.

Four-wheel alignment adjusts the camber, caster, and toe angles to match the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. Signs that your car needs alignment include pulling to one side, uneven treadwear, or an off-centre steering wheel. For performance vehicles, regular alignment checks are essential, especially after any suspension modifications or bouncing over the kerbs during a trackday at Brands Hatch or Spa.

10. Research replacement tyres‍

When it’s time to replace your tyres, do your homework. Research extensively to find tyres that suit your driving style and vehicle’s characteristics. Magazines like evo and Auto Express provide in-depth reviews and comparisons of tyres, covering aspects like grip, noise, and wet weather performance.

Shop around to find the best deals, but avoid compromising on quality. Many retailers offer discounts on tyre packages, including fitting and balancing. For enthusiasts who participate in track days, investing in a second set of performance tyres or semi-slicks can enhance on-track performance while preserving your road tyres.

By following these tips, you’ll not only extend the life of your tyres but also enjoy a safer, more satisfying driving experience because your car will feel spot-on. Tyres may seem like a mundane aspect of car ownership, but for true enthusiasts, they’re a critical element of performance and safety.

If you would like to know more about Racing Green’s services, or arrange for your car to be placed in our care, please speak with a member of the team, on 03330 909722, or email us at enquiries@racinggreencarstorage.co.uk