How to Tell if Your Tyres Need Replacing
October 19, 2015

For the uninitiated, knowing when to replace one’s car tyres can be tricky. There typically is no fixed standard in Sydney or elsewhere as to how long vehicle rubber will last, and as a result, most owners are unsure about whether their tyres need to retire or not. But this shouldn’t be a problem as long as you know what to look for.

Below, we list four tell-tale signs that say you should seriously consider buying new car tyres now.

Deep punctures – Leading manufacturers have now designed their products using special materials and technology to ensure higher wear resistance. However, not even the best branded tyres in the market can survive and continue running if they suffer from a deep puncture. As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, tyres with punctures larger than 5mm are irreparable and must be replaced immediately as they can cause serious problems on the road.

Tread wear – The tread provides the vehicle with grip or traction and ensures that it responds well in unfavourable road conditions. Once the tread depth wears down to 1.6mm, the legal minimum limit, this could indicate that your vehicle may no longer maintain a good grip on the road. One way to tell if you still have sufficient tread depth is by examining the wear indicator bars or markers. These bars can be found at the bottom of the tread grooves. They are barely visible when new and begin to appear as the tread wears down.

Bulges and blisters – Another sign that it’s time to buy car tyres and replace your old ones is the appearance of bulges and blisters. These may indicate the weakening of your tyre’s outer surface. If left undetected, this may create a hazard to the driver as well as other vehicles as these types of damage could cause sudden blow outs.

Aging and fatigue – Unlike wine, tyres don’t get better with age. The older they get, the greater the chance of failure due to their exposure to the elements and poor road conditions. It’s important that you check them for any external damage and signs of aging and fatigue to avoid any loss of grip or control when steering or braking.

The health and condition of your car tyres play an important role in ensuring the optimal performance and efficiency of your vehicle, as well as your safety on the road. This is why it’s vital for every driver to keep an eye on these signs.

Still not sure if your tyres need replacing?

Our team at Road Runner can help you with this. As a trusted mobile tyre service provider, we’ll come to you wherever you are, 7 days a week, to address all your needs. Speak to one of our specialists today to learn more.