How to Spot When Your Tyres Need Changing

Like many things, your tyres have a finite shelf life and will become less and less reliable with age. After considerable use they will become worn down, ragged, and will eventually become dangerous to use.

Tyres often end up being the most neglected part of the car. They do their job day after day and it seems like they never cause any trouble or have any negative impact on your ability to drive. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t already tell-tale signs that your tyres are in need of a change.

Changing your old tyres could help save your life, so it’s important to know what to look out for when checking their health. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you identify the warning signs that it’s time for a change.

Reduced tread depth

The tread on your tyres provides traction which helps you while braking and allows you to handle your vehicle on wet roads. Reduced tread depth is an obvious sign that your tyres need to be changed. You should be able to tell when your treads have been worn down due to the effect on performance. If you’re finding that it takes longer to stop when you apply the brakes or that it’s harder to handle your car when it’s raining, your treads are likely worn down.

In the UK, it is illegal to drive with tyres where the tread has been worn down below the minimum of 1.6mm, so it is not only beneficial to your health to keep an eye on your tyre tread but your wallet too – fines for treads worn below the legal limit stand at £2,500 per tyre.

Your tyres come equipped with tread wear indicators molded into the grooves, so it should be easy to tell when your tyres have been worn to the legal limit.

Sidewall cracks

Your tyre sidewall is another spot where it is easy to spot damage or wear and tear. The sidewall will experience the most stress so will be more prone to cracks as the tyres are used.

The main danger of sidewall cracks is, if left alone, the eventuality of a blowout. This could end up being fatal for you, your passengers and other drivers. It’s critical that a tyre with cracks on the sidewall is replaced immediately; continuing to use a tyre that has already seen damage to the sidewall is tempting fate and asking for trouble.

Blistering

As your tyres weaken with age, they can develop bulges and blisters on the surface. These can also develop by hitting potholes, so you should be checking your tyres even if they’re relatively new. Blisters and bulges can result in blowouts if you continue to drive on them so they should be replaced immediately.

A bulging tyre will be cause for MOT failure, so it’s worth replacing the tyre as soon as you see a blister or bulge developing instead of waiting for confirmation later that it needs to be replaced before you’re allowed to legally drive the car again.

Bad vibrations

Vibration is normal feedback to feel when driving, particularly on poorly paved roads, but too much vibration could be a sign of a tyre balance/alignment issue, or even internal problems in the tyre.

You will be used to your own vehicle, so excessive, unusual or prolonged vibration should be easy to notice. Continuing to drive without investigating the issue will not only grow tiresome as the vibration persists, but also wear the tyre down even more, making it increasingly dangerous to drive.

Wyatt Auto Services stock an impressive range of tyres to suit any budget, and our specialist tyre fitters will fit them for you while you wait. Our local, family run business brings a personal touch to our work, ensuring efficient, affordable and comprehensive service to every client. If you’re in need of expert tyre fitting and replacement, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.