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With over 34 years in the tyres and wheels business, Ovation Tyres are Melbourne's tyre experts. For more information on tyres, expert advice and unparalleled service please call or come into our Ovation Tyres store to speak to an expert Ovation Tyres staff member today.
Tyres leaking air? Call in and see one of our fully trained tyre experts to quickly and professionally diagnose and repair your tyre. Whether standard or high performance, all tyres are removed and checked thoroughly both inside and out, before being repaired to the very highest stringent standards. Ensuring both peace of mind for you and total safety for your vehicle!
Tyres can deteriorate with age which shows as cracking of the tread and sidewall rubber. Cracking is usually an indication that tyres have been in service an extremely long time.
If cracking is severe the tyre must be replaced. Tyres fitted to caravans and boat trailers which are parked for long periods of time, particularly in coastal regions, will tend to age and crack more quickly than those which are used and run frequently.
Tubes in Tubeless TyreInner-tubes of the correct size can be used with tubeless tyres if they are correctly fitted. Please remember that by fitting tubes in tubeless tyres, in the event of a puncture, the assembly will behave exactly like a tubed tyre – it is likely to lose pressure more rapidly than a tubeless tyre assembly. Where tubes for certain low profile tubeless tyres are not available, an alternative size tube should NOT be fitted.
Tyres that are marked 'Tube Type' or are not marked 'Tubeless' must be fitted with an inner tube. Some vehicle manufactures recommend that only tube type tyres are fitted to their vehicles. It is important that the advice in the owner's handbook be followed. A new tube should be fitted whenever the tyre is replaced. .
It is preferable that this check be made weekly, when tyres are cold, and using a gauge known to be accurate.
Ensure you have the correct tyre for your car.
You can check this by referring to the tyre placard fitted to the car which indicates the correct size, speed rating and load capacity, as well as recommended inflation pressures. The placard is fitted to all vehicles manufactured since 1973 and is usually contained in the glove box, on the driver's door pillar or under the front bonnet.
Avoid "mixing" tyres. Radial ply and diagonal ply tyres have different handling characteristics and it can be dangerous to "mix" them on your car. It can also be dangerous to mix tyres of different sizes or aspect ratios. You should consult your Local Tyre power Pro for specific advice.
Avoid hard braking and sudden acceleration. Tyres may wear quickly if consistently subjected to hard braking or rapid acceleration. Adopting a conservative driving style will maximise tyre life.
Use care when parking to avoid tyre damage. Many impact fractures occur in the sidewall area of the tyre rather than the tread. Careful parking will reduce damage to tyre sidewalls that can occur through contact with curbs.
Ensure that tyres have more than 1.6mm of tread. Most new tyres have about 8-9 mm of tread pattern when manufactured but when the tread wears down to less that 1.6mm, the tyre may be unsafe to use in wet conditions and should be replaced as soon as possible. Tyres have indicators in their tread pattern which show as lines across the tread when reduced to 1.6mm.
Have your tyres fitted by a specialist. Tyres should be fitted by your Local Tyre power Pro who will ensure that they are fitted to the wheel correctly. Poorly-fitted tyres can result in vibration, premature failure, poor handling or rapid tread wear.
Do not use sealants to repair punctures. After a puncture, tyres should be inspected internally by your Local Tyre power Pro to assess what damage has occurred, and whether the tyre sill complies with minimum safety standards.
While sealants may be acceptable as a temporary emergency measure after a puncture has occurred, they often do not fully inflate the tyre and accordingly the vehicle should be driven at reduced speeds until the tyre can be changed or permanently repaired. Sealants should not be used as preventative measures, the use of sealants may invalidate tyre warranties.
First off, look at what you have on the car now. If you like the way the car drove and how long the tyres lasted, buy the same size and brand. If you want different tyres, there are lots of brands out there and they are all basically good tyres. Some last longer, some wear better. Some are better in rain or snow, and others are better at higher speeds.
The most important thing is to buy tyres to fit your requirements and type of driving. Don't let someone sell you a tyre that you don't need. Find a tyre that is in the same price range that you wish to spend, and examine the numbers on the tyres. They will tell you how well and how long they will last.
A highly tuned vehicle needs the very best performance tyres. Worn tyres can cause slipping in the wet, which is dangerous for you and your wallet. New performance tyres are safer, grip the road and perform better. Our Ovation Tyres dealership experts will give you the best advice about:
The best tyres for your rims
Tyre characteristics
Tread profile and wear
Handling
Grip and Traction
Maintaining your tyres.
So you've had a flat tyre, what now? Act immediately to fix the puncture before it cases further damage.
The most immediate problem when you have a flat tyre is to get back on the road. You will usually need to do this by removing the punctured tyre and fitting your spare safely out of the way of any traffic.
However, it is critically important to organise for the punctured tyre to be repaired as soon as possible. This is especially the case if your vehicle's spare tyre is a space saver (or speed limited). Ovation Tyres perform puncture repairs and can advise you if your tyre is repairable. Do not attempt to repair tyre punctures yourself.
Depending on the area of the tyre where the puncture occurs will determine if the tyre is repairable. Generally tyres with punctures in the tread area are repairable. A flat tyre is generally caused by a puncture to a tubeless tyre's casing, allowing air to escape and causing the tyre to deflate. Punctures are usually caused by sharp objects like small nails and screws. These objects tend to cause punctures less than 5mm in diameter. If they occur within the tread area of the tyre, a repair can usually be made to the tyre.
Tyres can often be beyond repair and will need replacement if there is sizeable punctures to the tread or punctures to the tyre's shoulder or sidewall areas.
The tyres on your vehicle are one of its most important components. That's why, a Ovation Tyres Melbourne, we are committed to ensuring your tyres are both safe and legal.
Tyre Tread Measurements are measured by taking three readings across the width of the tyre starting with the outside tread depth measurement. There can be a wide variation in the readings signifying different things. For example, a reading of 7,5,3 may indicate the need for a four wheel alignment check.
MAXIMUM TYRE TREAD = 8mm
MINIMUM LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6mm* (*Centre 75% of the breadth and around entire circumference)
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM TREAD = 3mm
Ovation Tyres proudly stocks and manufactures some of the finest quality tyres, designed and engineered specifically for the Australian roads. If you would like more information about our quality manufactued Ovation Tyres than please call us during business hours on 03 9372 1766.
To fully understand the issue you should read the section on tyres in the vehicle hand book and check the letters at the end of the tyre size marking as this will show the speed rating of your tyres.
If you have had a traction problem when driving up to your lodge or apartment at your resort or have had a driving safety issue on mountain roads it will often be because these type of tyres are fitted to your vehicle. Due to their width, rubber compound and tread pattern, high performance summer tyres provide unacceptable grip for low temperature snow driving.
It is also important to note that the recent advancements in electronic driver aids, such as ABS and traction control do not provide more traction. These electronic aids only prevent drivers from over braking or overpowering the available traction of their tyres. The only thing the driver can do to increase traction, to actually get more grip and safer control, is to install snow tyres.
Correct tyre pressure will result in:
• Responsive braking
• Sharper steering
• Optimal tyre life
• Increased fuel economy
Incorrect tyre pressure will result in:
• Faster wear
• Less grip
• Slower braking
The right tyre inflation pressure for your car can be found in the car manufacturer's handbook. Most tyre manufactures also supply correct pressure and fitment details for their tyres. Tyre pressures relate to loads, speeds and vehicle handling and the right tyre pressure is vital for even braking, maximum grip and good tyre life. Inflation pressure should be checked at least once a fortnight when the tyre is cold since there is an increase in pressure when the tyre has warmed up after being run. A reliable pressure gauge should always be used. It is dangerous to re-inflate a tyre which has been run flat or seriously under-inflated and such tyres should be removed and inspected by a tyre specialist.
How To Check Air Pressure
Properly checking tyre pressure requires an accurate air gauge. Many people believe that they can check air pressure just by looking at the tyre and judging the sidewall appearance. Also, many people use the air gauges at service stations, which can be grossly inaccurate due to exposure or abuse. Invest in a quality air gauge.
Air expands when it’s hot and contracts when it’s cold.
It’s best to inflate your tires in the morning before the day’s heat.
Valves and Valve Caps
When it comes to proper tire pressure, the tire’s valve is a very important maintenance item. Valves are ordinarily made of rubber, so they can deteriorate over time. Replace them when you buy new tires. At high speeds, a cracked, deteriorated rubber valve stem can bend from centrifugal force and allow air loss.
The valve cap is also an important item. Buy high-quality valve caps that can help contain the tire’s air, should the core of the valve fail for any reason. Valve caps also keep out moisture, which could freeze and in turn depress the valve core, causing air loss. The cap also keeps out dust and dirt particles, which could also interfere with the proper operation of the valve core and cause air loss.
Most people are well aware that tyre failures can be fatal. With this in mind, get in the habit of visually inspecting daily for sidewall bulges and checking air pressure at every gas stop. After all, a tyre pressure gauge is a lot cheaper than a new set of tyres or an accident.
Proper inflation pressure makes tyres last longer and it improves the vehicle's fuel economy. Assuming that the wheels are properly aligned, under-inflation causes the tyres' shoulders to wear faster than the centers, and over-inflation makes the center strips go bald earlier than the shoulders. Your owner's manual will recommend the correct pressure for your vehicle.
Worn tyres may work okay in dry weather, but they can become downright dangerous in the rain. Periodically inspect the sidewalls for cracking or splitting. Old tyres, even with low mileage, can be dangerous because the rubber cracks and hardens over time. Any tyre over five years old should be changed.
So you've had a flat tyre, what now?
Repairs to tyres and tubes must be carried out to meet the Australian Standards and should always be entrusted to a specialist. Essentially, this means plugging a hole, not patching over it.
All punctured or damaged tyres should be removed from the wheel for internal and external examination to ensure that there is no hidden damage that could cause a later failure.
Just tyres recommends that neither externally applied patch repairs or liquid sealants are used to repair a damaged tyre. Just tyres does not accept responsibility for problems resulting from these types of repair.
For safety reasons, Ovation Tyres does not recommend more than two tread repairs for TR speed tyres and one tread repair for higher speed rated cars. Repairs should only ever be carried out in the safety zone shown below. Tyres should always be re-balanced after a puncture repair. If you have any questions, please speak to an expert Ovation Tyres staff.
Driving on a flat tyre can be dangerous and will sometimes cause the tyre to become irreparable.
Follow this Procedure...
Step 1: Park the vehicle in a safe location, preferably on a level, hard surface. Apply the parking brake and put the vehicle in 'Park' (automatic) or in gear (manual).
Step 2: Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel you are going to remove with a suitable object. If you are on a slope, always chock the wheel on the low side of the slope.
Step 3: Remove the spare wheel and the jack from their storage locations.
Step 4: Remove the hubcap (if fitted) and only just loosen the wheels nuts, DO NOT remove them.
Step 5: Raise the car with the jack, being careful to use the correct jacking point, until the tyre is around 6cm off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the wheel nuts then remove the wheel from the vehicle using a proper lifting technique.
Step 7: Place the spare wheel on the vehicle, again using a proper lifting technique, and lightly tighten the wheel nuts ensuring the nut is correctly seated. Care should be taken not to 'cross thread' the nut and wheel stud.
Step 8: Lower the car and remove the jack.
Step 9: Now that the wheel is on the ground, tighten the wheel nuts with the wheel brace and replace the hubcap (if it was fitted).
Step 10: Place the removed wheel and jack back in their storage places, and remove the wheel chock.
Most people are well aware that tyre failures can be fatal. With this in mind, get in the habit of visually inspecting daily for sidewall bulges and checking air pressure at every gas stop. After all, a tyre pressure gauge is a lot cheaper than a new set of tyres or an accident.
Proper inflation pressure makes tyres last longer and it improves the vehicle's fuel economy. Assuming that the wheels are properly aligned, under-inflation causes the tyres' shoulders to wear faster than the centers, and over-inflation makes the center strips go bald earlier than the shoulders. Your owner's manual will recommend the correct pressure for your vehicle.
Worn tyres may work okay in dry weather, but they can become downright dangerous in the rain. Periodically inspect the sidewalls for cracking or splitting. Old tyres, even with low mileage, can be dangerous because the rubber cracks and hardens over time. Any tyre over five years old should be changed. Bottom line: Blowouts can be fatal!
Plus sizing wheels and tyres is a popular trend among car enthusiasts. Adding inches to the wheel diameter for wider, low aspect ratio tyres can increase your car’s handling capabilities and its appearance. The following are common plus sizes.
Plus Zero
Increase the section width and lower the aspect ratio while retaining the wheel diameter. This replacement tyre increases the contact area and lowers the tread profile for improved traction and quicker response.
Plus One
This sizing mounts tyres with an increased section width and a lower aspect ratio on wheels of a larger diameter.
A plus one fitment for a car with 14-inch original equipment wheels would be 15-inch wheels.
As a general rule of thumb, plus two sizing: Increases section width by 20 millimetres
Decreases aspect ratio by 20 points. Increases rim diameter by 2 inch.
As a general rule of thumb, plus one sizing:
Increases section width by 10 millimetres
Decreases aspect ratio by 10 points Increases rim diameter by 1 inch
Plus Two
Increased wheel widths in plus sizing also contribute to greater tyre stability and improved cornering and manoeuvrability. A plus two fitment for a car with 14-inch original equipment wheels would be 16-inch wheels
All tyres slowly deflate over a period of time, therefore tyre pressures should be checked every 2-3 weeks.
Tyre pressures should only be checked when they are cold. Your vehicle's recommended tyre pressures are low.
As a general rule of thumb, plus two sizing: Increases section width by 20 millimetres
Decreases aspect ratio by 20 points. Increases rim diameter by 2 inch.
Dealers have additional information for plus sizing ABS-equipped vehicles. Always consult your Ovation Tyres dealer when changing the size of tyres on your vehicle.
All tyres slowly deflate over a period of time, therefore tyre pressures should be checked every 2-3 weeks.
Tyre pressures should only be checked when they are cold. Your vehicle's recommended tyre pressures are located on a placard usually on the inside edge of the driver’s door.
Although the minimum amount of tread required for a car to be roadworthy is 1.6 mm, it's wise to replace tyres at 2 mm, as wet-weather grip is diminished when there is only a small amount of tread.
To check tread depth, put a match head into the tread grooves, and if any part of the head shows above the grooves it’s time to replace the tyre. Tread depth cards are also available free from your Ovation Tyres Melbourne store.
Regularly check tyres for wear such as tears or bruises on sidewalls as well as embedded objects like nails or stones as they may lead to a puncture.
To keep water and dirt out of tyre valves replace missing tyre valve caps.
And most importantly with all these checks ...Don't forget the spare!
Regular wheel balances ensure your tyres run smoothly on the road which helps to improve your vehicle's control, especially on wet roads.
Wheel alignments and rotations maximise the life of your tyres by ensuring your tyres wear evenly.
Match the same tyre treads on the same axle. Different brands grip differently which can cause handling problems if mismatched
