My Tyres Have Sat During Lockdown - Is This A Problem?

Coronavirus is still at the forefront of our minds, and many of us have been using our cars less and less over the past few months. The restrictions still in place have meant many of us are continuing to work from home and travel should only be essential. But what happens when your car has been sitting idle for so long? One thing you want to think about is your tyre pressure and puncture prevention, as when a car is sitting for stretched periods, inactivity can hurt your tyres.

What can cause tyre damage?

Your tyres experience a lot of wear and tear, meaning there are a lot of scenarios and instances when they can encounter damage. When your car is stationary this risk is slightly reduced but doesn’t eradicate it.

One of the most common issues with inactivity is flat spots, this happens when the tyres have been stationary for a long period of time causing a flat spot where the tyre meets the ground. The severity of these spots will depend on how heavy the car is, tyre pressure, weather conditions and the amount of time your car has been idle.

If you want to prevent this issue from happening, it is recommended you move your car at least once a week. Turning it on for around 15 mins and moving it slightly forwards and backwards once a week will also help keep the battery in good condition. You also want to make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure because they will lose pressure over time as the car sits idle. Older tyres are more likely to suffer during periods of inactivity compared to newer tyres and you should check your tyres to gauge whether you should consider a replacement.

How to prevent tyre damage when your car sits idle?

If you want to avoid any issues that come with inactivity, then follow the below tips:

● Tyre Pressure: Keep your tyres inflated to the recommended pressures to prevent flat spots. You can find this information in your owner’s manual.

● Tyre Rotation: Move your car to help rotate the tyres and prevent even wear. If there is any excess weight, remove it from the car also to prevent flat spots.

● Tyre Tread: Now is a good time to check your tyres have the minimum legal tyre tread of 1.6mm to keep you safe once you’re ready to get back on the road.

Before driving your car again, it’s essential to carry out visual checks of your tyres and other vital safety features such as your breaks to make sure you’re ready to get back on the road safely. If you require a mechanic’s assistance, get quotes from MyCarNeedsA.com today Get your quotes!