Tyre care & maintenance

Look after your tyres. They look after you.

Wheel Alignment

This service is especially important when fitting tyres and for the maintenance thereof to maximise your tyre life. The conditions of our roads make it difficult to keep your alignment 100% of what it should be.

Check your alignment every 8 000km – 10 000km, and after hitting any pavement or pothole.

What is wheel alignment?

The adjustment of your car's suspension to achieve a suitable angle at which the tyres make contact with the road.

What knocks it out?

Sudden impact on the road

Minor collisions

Hitting the pavement

Running over a large pothole

Wear and tear on your suspension

How do I know if it's out?

If you have a "Home Boy" drop in your step or keep walking in circles, your alignment might be out. You may also check your shoes for uneven wear and bald spots on the tread 😛 — seriously though: pulling to one side, an off-centre steering wheel or uneven tyre wear are tell-tale signs.

Wheel Balancing

As a wheel rotates, the full circumference of the tyre is in contact with the road. Wheel balancing is the process of attaching small weights to a wheel's rim to distribute the weight of the wheels evenly on each axle.

This ensures consistent wear across the width. If your tyres wear unevenly, it can be a very uncomfortable ride — and a safety risk.

How it's done

1All four tyres are taken off the vehicle and placed separately on a computerised machine that tests for weight imbalances.
2Counterweights are placed on the rim at the exact spot where the computer detects the imbalance.
3Wheels are checked again if the imbalance persists.

Tyre Rotation

Tyre rotation means periodically changing the position of each tyre on your vehicle. The front two tyres always take a greater beating — they handle constant steering and braking, and most of the car's weight sits up front.

That's why it's advisable to rotate your tyres between the front, rear and spare wheel — ideally while your car is in for alignment and balancing.

Rotate every 8 000km – 10 000km.

The best way to rotate your tyres

Diagram showing the best tyre rotation patterns

Punctures

Punctures result when sharp objects like nails, screws or glass penetrate the tyre, causing air to escape. Slow punctures can be caused by a faulty valve — if the cap goes missing, dust and grit can get in — or a bead that isn't seating on the rim.

Found something lodged in your tread? Don't pull it out — seek professional help.

Signs of a puncture

Difficulty steering the car

Wobbly or shuddering wheels

Immediate tyre deflation

Loss of pressure, fast or slow

What to do

Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel — the puncture may affect handling.

1Look for a safe place to pull over as quickly as possible and switch on your hazards.
2Apply the handbrake, turn off the ignition and guide passengers to a safe place.
3Assess the deflated tyre. If damage is significant, fit the spare or call your breakdown provider.
4Once the spare is on, proceed with caution to your nearest tyre dealer — that's us!