When Should Car Tyres Be Replaced?
Tyres are incredibly important to look after and monitor as they are the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the road. You should take extra care when it comes to your tyres and maintain them well to ensure you get the most out of them.
It can be tough to know when exactly to get your tyres replaced, especially if your vehicle is functioning as it should and there are no issues that jump out at you. We have covered the various different areas to consider when you’re reviewing your tyres.
Tread Depth
The minimum legal tyre tread depth in Europe for cars and light vans is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of its tread width and around its entire circumference. However, most tyre manufacturers recommend that your tyres are replaced at 3mm as the performance of them drops considerably once they go below 3mm.
The more tread a tyre has the more grip it has on the road, which is particularly important in wet weather and adverse conditions. Tread grooves drain water from the tyre’s area of contact with the road, so driving with low tread depth increases the risk of aquaplaning. Low tread depth also increases the likelihood of tyre damage and can reduce grip in winter weather conditions.
Check the depth of the main tread grooves in several places across and around the tyre, using a tread depth gauge as instructed by its manufacturer. If the tread depth is 1.6mm or less, the tyres need to be replaced immediately by your local tyre supplier.
Tyre Pressure
Correct tyre pressure is vital to ensure your tyres are in good condition to be driven on the road. Under-inflated tyres affect handling and grip, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable vehicle behaviour. They are also much more likely to suffer from a dangerous sudden rapid deflation, especially on high-speed motorway journeys.
You should make sure that your tyres are correctly inflated in line with the manufacturer's instructions, which can be found in the handbook and also marked inside the car. Your vehicle should alert you to low tyre pressure with a warning on the dashboard - you should then take the steps to ensure they are inflated to the correct level again.
Damage
Impact damage accounts for 21% of all tyres being replaced before the tread has worn away through use. Punctures account for 12.5%* of early tyre replacement and cuts in tread or sidewall account for 11%. Some damage to your tyres may not be that visible but you should always check them regularly to spot any irregularities or something that doesn’t look right.
Should you notice any bulges, slashes or cuts in your tyre then you should get it replaced immediately. Any cut deep enough to reach internal structure renders tyres unsafe and in need of replacement.
Wear & Tear
Like anything, tyres are no different when it comes to general wear and tear. Even the best drivers will eventually succumb to wear which may require the need for a replacement.
Most quality tyres will last around 5 to 6 years and this is usually when we would recommend you to replace them. However this will entirely depend on your driving habits and mileage as those completing more mileage will definitely incur more wear and tear than those who complete short, infrequent journeys.
Replacing Your Tyres
If you are unsure as to whether your tyres need replacing then you can speak to one of our tyre experts who will help you make an informed decision. If you have reviewed the above and decided that one (or more) of your tyres need replacing then now is the time to get it sorted.
At Freeway have a wide range of different tyres to suit all budgets and types of vehicles. Please contact our team today on 01892 520022 and we’ll be happy to help!
Written on 26th October 2021