Tyre Maintenance - Swift Tourer Owner's Handbook Manual

TYRE MAINTENANCE

Tread depth
Pay special attention to the amount of tread
remaining on your tyres, and measure them
regularly. Always replace tyres before they
reach the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm.
Periodically tyres should be rotated to equalise
wear in the same manner as car tyres.
Pressures
The caravan manufacturers plate (fixed
adjacent to exterior door) and Technical
handbook contains information about caravan
loading and the required adjustments to tyre
pressures, which should be followed for safety.
Tyre pressures should always be checked
and corrected prior to each journey. It is vital
that tyre pressures are maintained at the
levels recommended by the manufacturer to
ensure maximum tyre life, safety and handling
characteristics.
Over or under-inflating tyres is likely to
seriously impair their performance and may
prejudice the safe use of the vehicle.
Over-inflation increases overall tyre diameter,
decreases the amount of tread in contact with
the road, decreases sidewall flexibility and
affects road-adhesion.
Under-inflation decreases overall tyre diameter,
increases sidewall flexing, generates higher
tyre operating temperatures and difficult
vehicle handling characteristics. Running an
under-inflated tyre may cause premature tyre
failure. Both over and under-inflation adversely
affect tyre life.
Treads
Keep tyre treads clean of stones and other
foreign bodies, and check regularly for
damage to the tread and sidewalls. It is vitally
important that any damage is checked out
by a tyre expert and any necessary repairs or
replacements are carried out immediately.
Tyre valves
Check tyre valves carefully. Ensure the caps
are in place free from dirt/ debris and that there
is no evidence of cracking or damage to the
valve stem.
Tyre aging
Rubber compounds used in tyres contain
chemicals that help to slow down the natural
aging process of untreated rubber. However,
tyres do deteriorate with age, which increases
the risk of tyre failure, and there are many ways
in which this can be spotted:
• Cracking/crazing on the side wall of the
tyre, caused by its flexing
• Distortion of tyre tread
• Deformation of the carcass of the tyre
There will also be a deterioration of the ride
quality caused by vibrations through the
tyre. This may signify the tyres performance
has been affected by age and should be
investigated as soon as possible
It is recommended that tyres are
replaced after 5 years
Tyres that display signs of aging should be
removed and not put to further use.
The effects of aging can be brought about
prematurely in several conditions. Tyres fitted
as spare wheels may age prematurely. If
tyres on caravans are not in regular use they
should be inspected before every journey,
several cleaning products may also harm the
chemicals in the rubber. However, the age of
a tyre will affect its safety and increase the risk
of failure, and you should inspect tyres for the
signs of aging regularly.
The use of some motor movers can
damage or increase wear on the tyres
prematurely.
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