Over the winter months, your car’s wheels and tyres have taken a bit of a pasting and most of us, except for the very dedicated and hardy car enthusiasts among us, probably have not given enough attention to the four corners where the wheels and tyres keep everything on the road. Now then, is the time, for safety’s sake, to thoroughly clean and inspect them to ensure a pleasant Summer’s motoring. Also, it goes without saying, smart looking wheels make a car more saleable.
Some vehicles still have steel wheels. These are tough and largely maintenance free unless damaged, but most cars these days have lovely, shiny alloy wheels. They look good, are lighter and roll easier than ‘steelies’ but are also more prone to damage from hitting kerbs and from the ever-present potholes of which we are all familiar.
If you are concerned about how your car is ‘tracking’ when driving along, for example, if the steering wheel is vibrating or there are noises on cornering then it is probable that some form of damage or road strike has affected the balance and/or tracking of one or more wheels. If this is the case then it is recommended that the car is inspected by a professional car servicing garage who can assess and make good any issues.
Looking After Wheels
Steel wheels, often hiding behind clip-on hub caps, pretty much take care of themselves and cannot be refurbished if damaged. Keeping them clean and, as they can rust and are usually painted, inspecting condition and refreshing the paint once in a while is straightforward. Do this and they should give long service.
Popular alloy wheels however take a little more care. Regular cleaning and polishing can dramatically improve the appearance of your car, but the cleaning process can be time-consuming and, frankly, many of us tend to put the job off, especially in winter. The longer you leave it however, the harder it will be to get them clean. Indeed, if left long enough, the build-up of dirt and grime can permanently damage the metal.
Brake Dust
A lot of the grime visible on alloys is brake dust. This is a build-up of material from the brake pads (ceramic or metallic depending on the brake pad type), as well as iron particles from the brake rotors.
This material is largely responsible for wheel damage over time as is winter road salt, which is corrosive.
What To Do
Arm yourself with good wheel cleaning products and buckets (not washing-up liquid!). A dedicated wheel-scrubbing brush (or even a household nail-brush) makes life a lot easier as it can get between spokes. A pressure-washer is the motorist’s dream (and a worthwhile investment) but otherwise resort to buckets of water! Begin the cleaning process by washing the alloys and tyres to remove excess dirt and grime. This will make life much easier later on. Rinse off the suds then apply a wheel cleaning product as per instructions. Yes, it is hard work but you’ll thank us later. Use a microfibre cloth to dry the wheels. You may also wish to clean your lug nut wells. Needless to say, you would need to remove the wheels to access them. Note: If the alloys are heavily stained then deep cleaning will be required. You can tackle this yourself with clay bars and the like or call in a wheel refurbishing expert who does home visits. They can also repair damage caused by ‘kerbing’ the wheels.
Tyre Inspection And Care
General road use, potholes (again) and detritus on the roads can damage tyres and tyre walls. At the same time as cleaning the wheels it is suggested that the tyres are also inspected, looking for cuts, slow punctures or leaking valves (soapy water around the valve is good for this, as escaping air can be seen in the bubbles). Tyres with cuts or bulges in the side walls are dangerous and should be changed immediately. For specialist advice, have them checked out at your local car servicing garage possibly while having an interim service to get ready for trouble-free Summer driving.
Washing the tyres helps identify any problems. Give the side walls a good wash down and try to inspect or feel around the inner side of the tyre if possible. The final step to sparkling wheels is to add a dressing product to your tyres. This will considerably improve their appearance compared to before, giving a showroom shine and help protect them from dirt. Be sure to clean the area between the rim and the tyre—this often gets missed out. Only add tyre dressing to the side walls, NOT the running surface!
Along with brakes, it can be argued that wheels and tyres are the most important road safety aspect of a vehicle. On wet or greasy surfaces, it is the tyres that will maintain traction. Smooth running, properly tracked and balanced wheels will ensure that the life of the tyre is maximised. Don’t neglect those four important corners.
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