What aspects should be checked on the wheels before driving?
2 Answers
The following is an introduction to the inspection of tires before driving: 1. Check the tire pressure. See if the pressure is too low or too high. 2. Then check the appearance of the wheels. Look for any foreign objects or damage on the tread, and check if there are bulges, bubbles, cracks, or deformations on the sidewalls; also, check if the valve stem has any leaks or cracks, and if the dust cap (valve stem cap) is intact. 3. Check the condition of the spare tire. Ensure that it can be replaced in time if the tire is punctured. The following is relevant information about tires: Tires are inherently consumables. Compared to engine oil and gasoline, they last much longer, but daily inspections are still essential, otherwise, they may pose a threat to life at critical moments. Tire wear is not necessarily due to driving habits; daily use can also cause tire wear. If a tire fails, the consequences can be severe. For example, if you need to avoid a vehicle at high speed, the probability of such a shaking accident will greatly increase. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the tire in time before encountering such a situation. 2. Tires are rubber products. Rubber aging will occur. The shelf life of tire rubber is generally 4-5 years. After the shelf life, the tire rubber will accelerate aging, leading to a decline in tire performance. For example, "9MCR0810" is the tire production date code. Among them, the last four digits "0810" indicate that this tire was produced in the "8th" week of "10" year. Due to steering, the front tires wear faster than the rear tires. To extend the service life of the tires, regular tire rotation is recommended, which can ensure even wear of all tires. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, it is recommended to perform a four-wheel rotation every 8,000 kilometers.
I always conduct a comprehensive wheel check before driving, it's my habit. Starting with tire pressure, I ensure each tire is inflated to the manufacturer's recommended value, as overinflation can lead to blowouts while underinflation increases fuel consumption and noise. Wear inspection is crucial—I carefully examine the tread depth; if it's below 1.6mm, it becomes dangerously prone to skidding on wet roads. Damage inspection includes checking for surface cracks or embedded foreign objects like small stones, where I use my fingers to pry open crevices to avoid missing anything. Next comes the wheel hub and nuts—I confirm all nuts are evenly tightened to prevent loosening while driving. Finally, I give a quick glance at overall balance and take a short test drive to detect any abnormal vibrations. Regular checks like this save on repair costs, especially essential before long trips.
