Checking and refilling levels
216Ty re s e r vi ce l i fe
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving
style and fitting.
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
⇒ fig. 151 running across the tread. Depending on the make, there will be six
to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on the tyre sidewall
(for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the positions of the
tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by law is 1.6 mm
(measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators). Worn tyres
must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export countries ⇒.
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out.
For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month
⇒ page 215.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown ⇒fig. 152 . All the tyres will then last for
about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
Fig. 151 Tyre tread wear
indicatorsFig. 152 Changing
wheels
leon_ingles Seite 216 Donnerstag, 24. August 2006 1:56 13
