How do I know when my tyres need replacing?
On a perfectly maintained and entirely dry road, tread actually works to reduce a car’s performance as it reduces the contact patch area and reduces the forces that can be transmitted. However, there are very few perfect roads in the world, so the tread is vitally important, especially on wet roads. The tread is designed to disperse water from the contact patch so the tyre can grip the road. Without tread, the tyre can’t grip the surface of the road and it’s almost impossible to stop, turn, corner, or accelerate.
When do you need to replace and buy car tyres?
Tread wear indicator bars are moulded into the tread of your tyres so you can see when it's worn to the limit of safety. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.5 mm, but you should replace your tyres long before they wear to that extent. Check your owner’s manual to find out what your car maker recommends but experts generally advise 3mm minimum.
How can I keep my tyres in good condition?
There are several things you can do to keep your tyres in the best condition possible and avoid replacing them too often.
First, you can maintain the correct inflation pressure. A correctly inflated tyre will wear evenly across the tread, meaning it will last longer. An under-inflated tyre will wear more heavily on the outer edges, while an overinflated tyre will wear in the centre, meaning the tyre will wear out much more quickly. Inflate your tyre when it’s cold and use the recommended inflation pressure set by the manufacturer.
You should also check your tyres regularly. Try to check the wear and the inflation about every two weeks and check them before you go on a long journey or before towing something heavy. Visually inspect your tyres for wear and damage, check the depth of the grooves, and keep an eye out for any cracking. And don’t forget the spare! There’s nothing worse than getting a sudden flat and needing your spare, only to find that the spare’s gone flat as well.
Rotating your tyres will help you get the most out of them. Tyres wear at different rates depending on their position on your car. For example, a front-drive car will cause the front tyres to wear out faster than those on the rear, and vice versa. Rotate your tyres every three thousand miles or so, and the wear on your tyres will be even across your vehicle.
Book with Protyre
If you want advice on keeping your tyres in their best condition then check in with our qualified fitters at Protyre. Our tyre professionals have years of experience and are there to help at any of our one hundred and fifty local garages. We offer tyres from leading brands such as Pirelli and Bridgestone, all at competitive prices. Check our website to see our range of services or contact us today to find out more about how we can help.
