When should you change your car tyres?

Did you know that defective tyres cause the highest number of accidents out of all vehicle faults in the UK? Inadequate tyres won’t just fail an MOT, you can also be fined a whopping £2,500 and notch up 3 penalty points on your license, per faulty tyre.

Well-maintained tyres give essential traction for breaking, acceleration and turning, even aiding with suspension. For safely maximising your vehicle’s handling, they’re quite literally, where the rubber meets the road! 

To swerve harsh penalties and optimise control of your vehicle, it’s vital to know when to buy new tyres. So, when do car tyres need to be replaced?       

Observing worn tyre treads

If the tread of any car tyre is worn down to under 1.6mm you must replace it. Quite simply, if there is not more than 1.6mm tread depth across the middle three-quarters and around the entire tyre, it’s time to buy new tyres.   

You can easily measure the tread of your car tyres with the 20p test. Just stick a 20p piece into the tread groove. If the outer band is visible, the tread has been eroded too much, and it’s time to get in touch for a professional pit stop. 

Finding major tyre cracking

The upshot of carrying out maintenance checks of your tyres’ tread depth is that if there is cracking to the tread pad, or tyre walls, it will be much easier to spot. Although small cracks are standard wear and tear, deeper fissures or cracks mean your vehicle needs tyre replacement.       

If larger cracks on the tyre are left unattended, there is the chance of a tyre blowout, definitely something you want to avoid. So if you do find a significant cracking anywhere it's important to rectify immediately.           

Noticing deformity to the tyre wall

Bulges on the inner or outer tyre walls might not seem an emergency, but it's a sure sign that the internal structure of the tyre has been compromised. 

Tyres are made of various overlapping materials and structures. A bulge means there is an internal rupture, and you’re fast tracked to a dangerous blowout, or escalating vehicle damage, such as to the suspension. 

Having outdated tyres

Important manufacturing and specification data are marked on the side of tyres. If these markings are erased, you need to replace them. Tyres age depending on a wide variety of variables, so it’s best to regularly perform maintenance checks on your tyres.   

Michelin recommends that tyres are replaced 10 years after manufacture. If yours are outdated, the markings are erased, or there is significant uneven wearing, tyre replacement is essential.

Get a professional pit stop in Bristol with Ablefit

As you can now appreciate, tyres are arguably the most important components of your vehicle. High quality, correctly aligned, and well maintained tyres ensure your continued safe driving.

Drop by one of our garages in Longwell Green or Muller Road, with no booking necessary, for expert tyre advice, a professional, rapid service and the best deals on quality manufactured tyres, all sold with lifetime guarantees. 

Need new tyres? Contact us, and get back on track with Ablefit expertise.