Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Virtual Mechanic
|
Car and bike questions? We have the answers
|
My Opel Corsa, which has done 20,000 km, needs a change of tyres as the original ones (MRF ZVTS) are showing uneven wear. I have fitted AURA mag alloy wheels from day one. I plan to go in for 195/60R13s. Is this available in Bridgestone or Michelin? Will fitting this size alter the suspension geometry of my car? Should I change the alloy wheels too?
Ranganath C, via email
The Bridgestones are available in the 195/60-R13 size, which is in the GIII pattern. These are tubeless tyres and also unidirectional — so make sure they are fitted in the right direction or you would have plenty of problems such as uneven wear and vehicle instability. You may even consider the tubeless 185/65-R13s from Goodyear in the Eagle range. While no suspension correction needs to be carried out to fit these tyres, the track of the vehicle needs to be changed which a good alignment machine should be able to accommodate without any hassle. If your wheel rims are free from any damage, they need not be changed. Finally, it is worthwhile to investigate why your tyres have worn out in just 20,000km. It may be due to a suspension problem in your vehicle, a misalignment or even improper timely rotation of tyres. It is essential to make note of these factors, else your new tyres may also suffer the same consequences.
I've heard that one needs to increase tyre pressure for highway driving. What is the reason for this and by how much does one inflate the tyres?
Behram Panthaky, via email
The specified tyre inflation pressure refers to the cold tyre pressure and must never be allowed to fall below this value. Driving causes the tyre to flex which in turn causes heat build-up, thus increasing the pressure inside the tyre. Never reduce this warmed-up pressure as the pressure in a cool tyre may fall below the specified minimum pressure. Due to this factor, tyre pressures are usually recommended to be increased when driving at high speeds or for continuous long distances with regard to the load carried by the tyres. This will prevent abnormal flexing and reduce heat build-up. As a thumb rule, for one or two passengers and minimum luggage, the air pressure should be increased by about 2psi and by 5psi when fully loaded.
I am thinking of changing the tyres on my Opel Astra to wider ones. Which do you think suit the car the most and if I plan to change the rim size to 15-inch alloys, will it suit the car?
Kiran Parekh, via email
The best available upsize or wider tyres for the Astra, which comes originally fitted with 165/80-R-14 tyres, is the 185/70-R-14. The 15-inch option would be the 205/50-R-15 which we would not really recommend as it would give you a very uncomfortable ride and, without modifications to the suspension setting, would be very hard. We suggest the 185/70-R-14 or the 195/60-R-14, subject to the vehicle clearance.
Do tubeless tyre puncture repair kits really work. Can a lay motorist like me use them and fix a puncture?
Randhir Singh, via email
Tubeless tyre puncture repair kits work effectively for nail punctures, they are quite easy to use provided the correct procedure is followed. Unipatch Rubber Ltd (Delhi) offers a tubeless tyre repair kit which costs about Rs 600.
Write in with your queries to wheels@thehindu.co.in
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
