A car’s tyres are one of its most important aspects, requiring care and attention throughout their lifespan. Knowing when to change tyres and how to care for them are helpful bits of information for all drivers. Are you interested in discovering when changing a tyre is necessary, as well as ways you extend the lifespan of your wheels? Read on.
Unless you drive like Bo and Luke in the Dukes of Hazzard, your car’s tyres will pretty much always be in contact with the road. This means that even the most expensive tyres will start losing rubber, will eventually wear down, and will need to be replaced.
When do I need a tyre change? When your tyres will need to be replaced, depends on many factors:
- the climate in which you mainly drive, as extremes of temperature can reduce their lifespan;
- your driving habits, as in whether you tend to brake quickly, drive rapidly around corners or take off quickly from idle, which can wear out the rubber;
- the air pressure of the tyres, as over- or under-inflation can cause damage to them, as well as impact your ability to drive safely.
Tyre replacement will also depend on the age of the tyres. It’s recommended that tyres not be used for longer than ten years. In fact, if the tyres are five years old or more, they should be inspected by a tyre professional at least once a year, just to make sure they’re still in good condition.
Modern tyres include wear indicators, which are small pieces of metal embedded in the rubber. As the rubber wears down from use, you can recognise when it’s time to replace the tyres as the rubber will be at the same level as the wear indicators.
When tyres age, the rubber becomes harder, which makes it more prone to crack and sustain damage. If the tread or walls of the tyre look damaged or cracked, this can impact the safety of the tyres, so it’s worthwhile having them checked to see if replacement is necessary.
Can I lengthen my tyre’s lifespan? Yes, there are several ways that you can help to extend the life of your car’s tyres, such as:
- having the tyres rotated (changed positions on the car) so that they wear evenly;
- check the tyres for any damage or for items which could cause damage, such as stones or nails/screws;
- do not load the car with too much weight, which can put stress on the tyres, particularly if they are over- or under-inflated;
- and speaking of inflation, make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct amount, which can be ascertained by looking in the car’s manual or on the metal placard which is usually attached to the inside of the driver’s door.
Still not sure whether you require a tyre replacement? Unsure of how to change a tyre? Contact the experts at Jim’s today! We offer mobile tyre change services, for your added convenience. Call us on 13 15 46 to receive a tyre change quote or book in our services today.
