Your tyres are your vehicle’s primary contact with the road so
you should keep them in good condition all the time. Worn-out tyres provide bad
traction and can also lead to accidents.
Proper maintenance guarantees you and your passengers are safe.
It extends the lifespan of your car and saves you a lot in terms of repair
costs. In the case of car tyres, there are specific ways to tell
when it’s time to replace them.
Make sure you’re parked safely with enough lighting for proper
inspection. You will be checking the sidewall and tread of your tyres.
When the tread is
worn-out
When tread depth is too low, tyres won’t grip the road the way
it needs to. Losing this traction makes it unsafe to drive in the rain or
snow.
You can visually check for cracks, uneven wear, and other signs
of deterioration. Tyres are made with a wear indicator or wear bars. These are
raised sections within the grooves that appear as the tyre wears. If any of
these sections start to show, consider getting new tyres already.
A more precise way is to measure the tread depth in millimetres.
You can use a tyre tread depth indicator, a simple tool available in auto parts
shops. The tread depth of new tyres is 8.00mm. When it reaches 3mm, the tyre’s
wet grip is already significantly reduced. The minimum tread depth
allowed is 1.6mm and immediately needs replacement.
If you don’t have a measuring tool, a simple way to measure the
tread depth is by using a coin. Place a 10c coin in the tyre tread groove. If
the outside band is concealed, then the tyre is still legal. If you have a 20c
coin, check if the platypus’ bill is concealed. If so, the tread is still
deeper than 3mm.
For the sidewalls, check for bulges, cuts, and rubber
deterioration.
Every after six
years
Even if the treads look okay, car tyres should still be replaced
at least every six years. Rubber dries and cracks over time, which possibly
leads to a flat tyre or a blowout.
You can check your tyre’s manufacturing age by looking at the
four-digit TIN at the side. It’s usually with the DOT mark. If there are more
letters and numbers, look for four digits wherein the last two numbers are
discernible as the previous years. The first two The first two digits indicate
which week it was made, while the last two indicate the year of manufacture.
For example, if the numbers are 1618, the tyre was made in the 16th week of
2018.
Your place and
activity
How much you drive determines the frequency your tyres wear
down. High-speed driving is more prone to wear. Excess loads also contribute to
tyre wear. Weather and road conditions also greatly affect your tyre’s tread
wear. Bad roads add to uneven wear. If you’re inclined to these conditions, a
regular inspection is necessary.
Follow a tyre care
routine
Learn about the other aspects of tyre care such as pressure,
balance, rotation, and cleaning. Regular maintenance, such as tyre replacement,
plays a huge part in your vehicle’s overall performance. It is cost effective,
and more importantly, assures safety on the road. As seasoned drivers used to
say, look after them, and they will look after you.
