How long do front tyres last?
The roads you drive on, the condition of your tyres, and the way you look after them. These are the factors that can determine the lifespan of your front tyres. Tyres can also degrade through exposure to UV rays or driving in extreme weather conditions.
Most modern cars are front wheel drive which means the power from the engine transfers directly to the front wheels only. This causes greater wear and tear on the front tyres which should be changed every 20,000 miles. Rear tyres generally last twice as long.
You should always book in for a free Protyre tyre check after 5 years and make sure you replace any tyres that are 10 years old - you’ll find the date of manufacture on the sidewall of your existing tyres.
What are the signs that my tyres need replacing?
Regardless as to how many miles you’ve driven or the age of your tyres, you should always replace them if the tread is at or below the legal limit of 1.6mm.
In fact, our tyre professionals recommend that tyres should be changed when there’s 3mm of tread left for enhanced grip and safety. If you drive with tyres below the legal limit, you could face a hefty fine and points on your license - not to mention risking the safety of yourself and your passengers.
It’s easy to check the tyre tread with the 20p test. Just slip a 20p coin into the tyre tread and if the outer band can't be seen, you’re safe to drive although we recommend 3mm as a safer lower limit.
Look out for these other signs that your tyres need replacing:
Bulging sidewalls
Cracked or perished rubber
Punctures or other damage
How can I get the most out of my tyres?
If you want to get the maximum mileage out of your tyres, there are some simple tricks and tips that can help you get the most out of them.
Tyre pressure
Not only does keeping your tyres properly inflated improve fuel economy but it increases their lifespan. Both under and over inflation can lead to damage – an under inflated tyre will lead to higher rolling resistance and greater wear while an over inflated tyre can cause increased wear and poor grip.
Check the pressure regularly when your tyres are cold and inflate as necessary – you’ll find the correct tyre pressures in your owner's manual.
Wheel balancing
Do your tyres seem to wobble when your speed goes above 40mph? If so, you may need your wheels balancing. Over time, the weight of the wheels can become unevenly distributed leading to uneven tyre wear. Book in at your local Protyre garage to have your wheels rebalanced with offsetting weights to stop your tyres deteriorating further.
Rotation
Our qualified fitters recommend that you have your tyres rotated every 7,500 miles. Although not appropriate for all vehicles, this involves switching the front and rear tyres and can help to even out wear and tear, thus extending the lifespan of your tyres. It’s quick and simple to do and can make a big difference to handling and fuel economy.
Driving style
Do your tyres seem to wobble when your speed goes above 40mph? If so, you may need your wheels balancing. Over time, the weight of the wheels can become unevenly distributed leading to uneven tyre wear. Book in at your local Protyre garage to have your wheels rebalanced with offsetting weights to stop your tyres deteriorating further.
Buy car tyres at Protyre
When you’re looking to replace your front tyres, you won’t find better value or service than at your local Protyre garage. Buy car tyres from us and you'll get the best choice of premium brands including Pirelli at budget prices.
We’re specialists in matching the right tyres to the right vehicle. Just type your car reg into our user-friendly tyre search engine or drop in and one of our tyre professionals will be happy to advise you.
