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How Do I Know When My Car Needs New Tyres?


Tyres are one of the most neglected parts of our cars however we should all take better care of them. Tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road and it’s imperative they are in good condition all year round to ensure safe driving conditions. New tyres are always in excellent condition and provide the best grip on the road.


Here are some telltale signs that your car tyres might need replacing.

 

Tread Depth

One of the easiest giveaways and best indicators that your car needs fresh tyres is a reduction in the tread.


Tyre tread is the rubber on the tyre that makes contact with the road. As your tyres age, the tread gradually wears down reducing their effectiveness and safety.


The grooves in your tyres are called tread patterns, these come in a variety of different styles to accommodate different driving conditions. These tread patterns are designed to expel water your car encounters on the road – when there isn’t enough tread depth your vehicle will find it harder to handle wet roads.


In Australia, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.5mm – after your tyres hit this mark your vehicle becomes unroadworthy.


An easy way to check if your car’s tyres are still roadworthy is to put a 20-cent coin in the tread. If the tread isn’t touching the platypus’ bill you should consider changing your tyres.


Alternatively, you can use a tyre tread depth indicator if you have one handy or visit your local tyre specialist to point you in the right direction.

Uneven Wear

Uneven wear is also suggestive that your car tyres might need replacing. Uneven wear on your tyres can be a result of many things, commonly not rotating each car tyre, issues with the wheel alignment or the vehicle suspension being worn.


To check for uneven wear, inspect the whole contact surface of each tyre including the outer edges. Cars that are front-wheel drive generally show greater signs of wear on the front tyres so particular notice should be taken when comparing the front to those on the rear.


Sometimes depending on how much tread is on your tyres and how bad the uneven wear is a tyre rotation and wheel alignment can buy you an additional 6 – 12 months however it’s likely you’re still going to have to replace them shortly.

Visible Sidewall Damage

While you’re inspecting your tyres keep an eye out for visible sidewall damage.


Cuts in a tyre, a bulge or a missing chunk of rubber are usually the result of an impact with something on the road like a curb or pothole.


Cuts and damage to the sidewall of a tyre can be extremely detrimental to the safety of your vehicle and can result in accidents occurring on the road. If you discover any of the above tell-tale signs on your car, we suggest replacing the affected tyre as soon as possible.


You should also keep a keen eye on visible cracking in your tyres. This is often caused by excessive exposure to direct sunlight and sea air – if you live near the sea or your car spends long periods in the sun we suggest keeping a keen eye on them.


Vibrations and Noises

Driving your car every day you get used to the strange noises it can make so when something sounds of the ordinary, you’re likely to notice it.


If you’re driving along and you feel something isn’t quite right or hear some odd noises it could be an indicator that something isn’t quite right, whether with your tyres or another part of your car. We suggest pulling over for a routine check otherwise bringing your car to a local mechanic for a more thorough look.

Like any part of your car, a tyre has a limited life span and will eventually need replacing. If you notice any of these issues it might be time to switch them out for some new rubber.


If you’re looking for help with a new set of tyres or simply want some expert advice on the state of your current tyres get in touch with Gino’s Panel and Paint today. Gino’s has been delivering outstanding customer service and excellence in every aspect of car repair in the Perth community since 1973 and is an approved repairer for most insurance companies.

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