Tyre Safety For Older Cars: Risks and Checks.

New vehicle models are often equipped with a variety of advanced safety measures and features to keep drivers, passengers and other road users safe. Many of these features simply aren't present in older cars, so it's important to be aware of the measures you can take as a driver to ensure that you and everyone around you is as safe as possible every time you get behind the wheel.

The Connection Between Tyre Age and Road Safety

There is a strong connection between the age of your tyres and road safety, which is why it is so important to ensure that your tyres are properly maintained and changed before they reach the minimum tread depth requirements.

It is also good practice to replace tyres that are more than 10 years old, as they are prone to internal degradation and structural issues, which can negatively impact road safety and lead to accidents.

Some of the issues that can arise in old tyres include:

Corrosion

The steel belts in older tyres are prone to corrosion, which can significantly weaken the overall structure of the tyre and compromise its safety.

Reduced Grip

Tyre grip is known to deteriorate significantly over time, which can have negative implications for handling and braking, particularly in cold or wet driving conditions.

Tyre Failure

Older tyres are more prone to experiencing sudden blowouts, particularly when they are carrying heavy loads or being driven at high speeds. This can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle and potentially cause otherwise avoidable accidents.

How to Conduct Tyre Safety Checks on Old Cars

As a vehicle owner, it's important to ensure that you are checking the condition of your tyres on a regular basis. There are a number of different issues to look out for, including general wear and tear, tread depth and uneven wear.

What Causes Uneven Tyre Wear?

The pattern of the uneven wear on your tyres can highlight potential issues with either your suspension or the tyres themselves. Let's explore some of these issues in a bit more detail.

Outside Wear on Tyres

If your tyres are worn on the outside edges and now have a rounded appearance, this indicates that they may be underinflated. Underinflated tyres have a tendency to accelerate the pace at which the rubber wears and may increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption. This means that as well as maximising your safety, ensuring that your tyres aren't underinflated can save you money by optimising the amount of use you get from your tyres and keeping your fuel costs down.

Inside Wear on Tyres

If the central part of your tyres appears excessively worn, they may be over-inflated. We recommend checking your tyre pressure at regular intervals and referring to your vehicle's manual to determine whether the pressure is correct.

Wear on One Side

If your tyres appear worn on one side or display an uneven wear pattern, there may be an issue with your vehicle's suspension. Having your vehicle assessed by a professional can highlight any problems with your wheel alignment and/or some of your car's suspension components, such as dampers or bushes. When the issue has been identified, you will be able to proceed with the appropriate adjustments to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and the integrity of your tyres will be properly maintained moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

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