How Often to Replace Tyres

Most modern cars are fitted with tyres that are designed to last longer than regular ones. The average tyre lifespan is usually around 50,000km or about 25,000 miles. This means you should replace tyres if there has been more wear and tear on them over time than this.

If you have bought a new car, it's worth talking with your supplier because they will give you information regarding the replacement of tyres at an early stage.

Hence, the tread is still good after use in certain circumstances, such as when carrying out off-road driving through snow or during winter months. Let's go into more detail on how often you should replace your tyres.

Indications That You Need New Tyres

Tread depth is too low

A tyre should have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm when driving on dry surfaces such as asphalt. If the level of remaining tread is less than 1.6mm, it's time for new tyres because driving on these will mean you are taking an unnecessary risk in terms of road safety and individual safety.

It's also important to check the tyre's tread pattern from above and below because the wheel rim can hide the part removed by wear, so check it before driving off.

"Wasp-waisted" shape means there is no longer protection

The tyre's shape should stay the same in terms of its outside edge, at the top or bottom. If this isn't the case, it's time to remove it and buy a new one, as a fitting one that has changed shape can lead to many accidents.

Tyres are wearing unevenly

You can tell if your tyres are at risk of being thrown off the car by observing how they wear. Check tyre wear by looking at the left-hand side of the car's tyre, and if you notice any grooves or bumps near the edge of the tread pattern, then it's time to have them replaced.

Tread has become uneven

If this happens, it's typically because you have been driving on wet roads or through the snow for too long and driving on certain types of surfaces that have overhangs and dips because of poor road surfaces.

You smell the rubber

Rubber wears out because of the friction between your tyre and the surface it is travelling on. For this reason, if you can smell your tyres, it may be a sign that they are worn down and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Tyres are conking or wobbling

Your tyres should not be making a "whistling" noise, but you may have heard this when driving on long journeys. When this happens, it indicates that the tyres are getting worn, so you should replace them for safety reasons.

You must change your tyres at the right time because not doing so could have serious consequences. Failure to replace your tyre at a certain age or wearing depth could mean that you risk damaging your car, or it could lead to an accident and general discomfort when driving.

Things To Consider When Replacing Your Tyres

Type of tyre

The most important thing to consider is what type of tyre you should choose for your vehicle. Your vehicle owner's manual will give you this information, but if it does not, it is worth speaking to a tyre technician because they are the best suited to help you make the right decision regarding tyre types that will suit your car and driving style.

Tyre pressure

If you want to know how much pressure you should fill the tyres with, then speak to a tyre technician because it's always best to check this with them. Ensure that they check the pressure for you when you're at the tyre shop. Otherwise, it could be an obstacle to safe driving.

Tread depth

The tread depth is one thing you should look at if you want to know how worn your tyres are. After a while, they need to be replaced because they can wear by up to 50%, and wearing them past this point could lead to dangerous situations. Check the tyre treads using the penny test for a car with an automatic transmission.

Loading weight

If you have a load in your car or you're travelling with passengers in the back, adjust your tyres pressure as different loads are likely to affect how your vehicle moves, and it could even become unsafe for certain driving conditions.

Cost

While there are many reasons to consider spending on new tyres, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. There is no point in buying cheap tyres from a cheap supplier because these will not offer the same protection as quality tyres. So, spending more on quality tyres is worth it.

Warranty

It's a good idea to know the warranty that comes with your car and even get more time out of your tyre purchase than expected by looking at what type of warranty the tyre retailer provides. You may also want to know how long it will take them to honour the warranty if anything happens to your car.

Quietness

It's a good idea to check the sound of your tyres because if they are loud or noisy, you could face a fine for driving with such tyres too. If you intend to get them balanced and have new wheels, consider getting them checked by a mechanic or tyre professional because if they are noisy or worn down in certain places, this makes them dangerous.

Tyre efficacy

If you're looking to get new tyres to improve your car's performance and you're driving on dry roads, then the tread depth is likely to be the main determining factor as to whether the tyres will help improve your vehicle and make it perform better.

Tips To Minimise Tyre Damage

Keep tyre pressure under control

You should check your tyre pressure regularly, and the best way of doing this is by using a gauge or a digital tyre pressure monitor. The tyres should not be idle for too long, not even overnight, and the recommended maximum time you leave them idle should be between a ¼ and ½ an hour. It's also worth keeping them at the same level when you leave them idle, so don't change pressures or levels.

Avoid riding on the wheels

Another thing you want to avoid is riding on the wheels. This can cause damage to the tread of your tyre, and if you're doing this, you may consider getting your tyres checked by a mechanic and replacing them at once.

Avoid low speeds

If you are driving at very low speeds, there is a high chance that the tyres could be losing grip due to the amount of elevation. This means that you should avoid doing this for as long as possible, and it's also a good idea to increase your speed when you are driving slowly in case this happens.

Avoid driving on wet surfaces

If you keep your car in bad condition, you may notice that the tyres are starting to lose grip, and this is a distinct sign of water inside the tyre. It's best to avoid driving in these kinds of conditions, especially if your tyres are starting to wear down.

Clean the insides of your tyres

It's an excellent idea to clean the inside of your tyres after you pull them off the rims, and you may have to do this often, especially if they have been neglected for too long. You can clean the inner walls of your tyre with a wet cloth, and if you want to avoid having water inside, then it's best to change these tyres when they're dirty.

Avoid parking on certain types of terrain

Where you park, your car will affect its condition. If you park on a surface with bumps and dips, this will put extra pressure on the tyre and could cause damage over time.

When you're parking, it can also be dangerous to suddenly change gears as this is likely to cause the steering wheel or steering column to move, which can cause an accident at any moment.

Avoid driving on uneven surfaces

When you drive on different surfaces, you may notice that the tyres have an uneven feel. This is commonly due to excess wear which you can easily fix by changing your tyres at the correct intervals.

Emergency Tyre Replacement

Before putting on your spare tyre; remember to put the emergency tyre in the boot or trunk. Additionally, if necessary, use a kit to inflate your spare tyre on a vehicle not equipped with an air pump. However, you should find a reliable and trusted car tyre replacement company if you need emergency tyre replacements and don't have spare tyres.

More importantly, if you're buying a new or used car, it's essential to ensure the tyres are in good condition before hitting the road. Don't compromise on buying your vehicle from a reliable car dealership to avoid dealing with faulty tyres from the get-go.