Replacing tyres at appropriate intervals is essential in order to be safe on the road. But how do you know when to replace them?
In this article, we’ll discuss how long tyres should be expected to last and what may compromise their longevity. We’ll also look at how you can better care for your tyres so that they last as long as possible. Finally, we’ll look at what to look for when buying new tyres.
When to consider a tyre change
How long a tyre lasts depends on a variety of factors. There’s actually no set amount of time, however it’s generally recommended you change tyres when you clock up approximately 40,000 kms in ‘normal driving conditions’. (Normal driving conditions are when you drive at average speeds on well-made roads, and don’t carry heavy loads.)
So, add 40,000kms to whatever distance you were up to when you last changed tyres (you can check this in your vehicle’s maintenance log book), then read your vehicle odometer and see if you’ve reached or exceeded this number.
If you’ve gone beyond the 40,000 kms on your tyres, get a tyre check with a tyre specialist. They will assess your tyres and let you know if they have extra life in them. They may also recommend a tyre repair or suggest a rotation, where they move the front tyres to the rear, or vice versa.
Note that wear on front tyres of front-wheel-drive cars tends to occur faster than on rear tyres, so keep this in mind. Also, if you’ve changed individual tyres at separate intervals, you need to work out the kms for each tyre, rather than for the group of tyres.
How long do tyres last in years?
For the average driver, a tyre check is recommended at 2-3 year intervals, and at the least, every 5 years.
A tyre 10 years or older should be discarded, regardless of what kind of condition it appears to be in.
To check the age of a tyre, look at the 4-digit code next to the DOT label on your tyre. The numbers in the code represent the week and year your tyre was manufactured. For example if the number says 2416, it means your tyres were made in the 24th week of 2016.
The age of a tyre is only one part of the story. A number of other factors will affect the longevity of your tyres.
Factors that impact tyre longevity
Wear on your tyres may be accelerated if certain factors are at play relating to your driving style, the surfaces you drive on, and the condition of your vehicle. Here are some things you should be aware of.
- Tyre position. Where your tyres are positioned influences how much they wear down on the road. Front wheel tyres wear sooner on a front-wheel drive vehicle—rear tyres sooner on a rear-wheel drive. You should aim for your tyres to wear as evenly as possible, so get a tyre check and rotation at regular intervals. (A mobile tyre shop like Jim’s Mobile Tyres can assess and rotate your tyres.)
- Driving aggressively. If you drive at high speeds, brake suddenly, and turn corners fast, your tyres suffer. Patches on your tyre tread will wear sooner than they otherwise would, and your tyres won’t last nearly as long. So stick to recommended speed limits and drive according to road conditions to keep those tyres in as good a shape as possible.
- Carrying loads. If your vehicle is heavy, is loaded up with heavy gear or is towing a trailer, it will naturally place more pressure on the tyres and they will wear sooner.
- High speeds. If you drive at high speeds, there’s more friction between your tyres and the road, resulting in increased heat and premature treadwear.
- Driving in hot conditions. Again, with more heat, your tyres will wear faster than they would if driving in moderate temperatures. That extra heat will likely wear tyres out faster, and will also exacerbate any existing tyre damage you may have.
- Incorrect tyre pressure. Having the wrong tyre pressure for your car and for the driving conditions means your tyre tread will wear out in particular spots. If you can keep your tyres at the right pressure (appropriate to the conditions and the load you are carrying), the tread will wear more evenly. You will also be safer on the road. See What PSI should my car tyres be?
- Incorrect wheel alignment. If your wheel alignment is out, it will impact your tyres. Misaligned wheels can greatly contribute to tread wear, amongst other problems like steering issues and reduced fuel capacity.
A wheel alignment is suggested every 2-3 years, or whenever your vehicle has driven approximately 10,000 kms. Certain incidents can affect wheel alignment, for instance if you drive over a pothole or hit the curb. If this is the case, you may need a wheel alignment sooner.
- Damaged tyres. Naturally, if you hit an obstacle with your wheel, there’s potential for your tyre to be damaged. This could be hitting a pothole, the curb, or running over a nail or similar item that could pierce or become embedded in the tyre. If you experience an incident, it’s worth getting a tyre check ASAP.
- Premature tyre tread wear. If your tyre tread is overly worn, your vehicle may be unroadworthy. The minimum allowable depth of tyre tread in Australia is 1.6mm, however it’s best to monitor a tyre if its tread depth is lower than 6mm, and urgently replace it if it gets down to 3mm of tread depth.
To check tread depth, place an Australian 20 cent coin into a central groove in your tyre and see if the tread reaches the bill of the platypus. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to sort out a replacement tyre.
What if a tyre isn’t being used?
Tyres stored in a garage, attached to trailers or caravans that you don’t use regularly, or kept as spares in your vehicle, still degrade over time.
What causes tyres to degrade even though they are rarely used—or not used at all? When tyres are exposed to natural elements like sunlight, rain, heat, and even oxygen, they will degrade. This is accelerated if they are stored or used outdoors.
It’s also worth noting that even if a tyre is not in use, it will still lose pressure. For all these reasons, it’s important to have those inactive tyres checked by a tyre expert if you plan on using them.
To prolong the life of tyres that aren’t in use:
- Make sure they are clean and completely dry before you store them. Wash with gentle soap and water (avoid abrasive tyre cleaning solutions) and ensure the tyres are thoroughly dry before storing them.
- Store tyres indoors, away from moisture, direct sunlight, and contaminants.
- Use tyre storage bags if possible, otherwise a well-wrapped tarp to prevent moisture reaching the tyres.
- Avoid stacking tyres, as the weight of other tyres may cause them to warp.
When buying new tyres
When looking for new tyres, it’s a good idea to follow these tips.
- Avoid purchasing second-hand tyres. Even if they are a great price and the owner says they haven’t been used, there’s no way to be sure how they have been stored. It’s a much better idea to buy a new tyre sold by a reputable tyre dealer. (Jim’s Mobile Tyres can help source the best tyres for your vehicle.)
- Buy tyres suited to Australian roads. Many cars manufactured overseas may be fitted with tyres that won’t last as long driving on Australian roads. So when it comes time for replacement, find tyres that have the durability needed for our road conditions.
- Try to match all four tyres. Rather than purchasing different tyres for different wheels, it’s better from a functional point of view to buy tyres with the same tread design. Tyre tread will affect vehicle handling, and car manufacturers select particular tyres that best match the needs of your vehicle. So aim for matching tread. Jim’s mobile tyres can help you select the right tread to match any current tyres you may have. (For more on tyre tread, see Tyre Tread Patterns – Types and Differences.)
Replacing tyres with Jim’s mobile tyres
When it comes time to replace your tyres, it’s worth speaking with a mobile tyre shop to ensure you are ticking all the right boxes in regards to what the best tyre is for your vehicle. We stock leading tyre brands and provide expert tyre matching according to your requirements.
For new tyres or a tyre fitting, contact Jims Mobile Tyres.
Related post: How to buy the best tyres for your car.
