It is essential to know when to change your tyres in order to keep them in good condition. Remember that tyres are the only element that is in direct contact with the road itself. So it is important to take precautions and think about when is the right time to change them.
To do so, you need to check whether the tyres’ tread is adequate, that they have the right amount of pressure and that they adapt to the type of terrain you’re driving on.
When should car tyres be changed?
We recommend getting the tyres checked five years after the day they were first used. After this date, they will need to be checked every year. But always keep in mind that it’s never a good idea to use the same tyres for more than 10 years.
When you check them, the following indicators should be taken into account:
- Damage or wear of the tread: The tread must have a minimum depth of 1.6 mm, and the wear and tear must have a uniform pattern along the entire wheel. In addition, never use a tyre that has a hole larger than 6 millimetres. Otherwise, the tyre must be replaced in order to avoid adhesion problems.
- The tyre heel is another factor you should pay attention to. It consists of the inside of the tyre that is fitted to the rims. If there is any deformation here, the tyres must also be changed.
- Tyre flanks with punctures or deformations may no longer be used.
- Vehicle vibrations are usually very common if the wheels are not properly balanced. In this case, it is crucial that you reduce your speed immediately and stop the car when you can. Then check if the wheels are deformed or damaged in any way. If so, you must replace the damaged wheel with the spare wheel, or go to the mechanic as soon as possible to get it checked out.
How to avoid needing to change your tyres
As we’ve explained above, it’s important that you periodically check different aspects of your tyres. But you must also keep them in good condition to avoid damage or wear and tear. To do this, you will have to check several elements.
- Air pressure is one of the most essential factors. To monitor it, you must pay attention to the value indicated in the tyre pressure chart provided by the car manufacturer. Check the value when the tyres have had time to cool down. It is recommended that you head to your nearest petrol station.
- Alignment of the tyres: you must ensure that they go in a straight direction and with a geometric shape with the wheels.
Factors that damage tyres
There are multiple factors that can lead to you experiencing any of the above situations.
- One of the most common is how old the tyres are. Wheels begin to wear out as they accumulate kilometres.
- Bumps or the bad state of roads is another reason. Don’t forget that a road with a many potholes can lead to vibrations that affect the performance of the tyres and even your safety.
- Extreme temperatures, whether cold or hot. Remember that there are different tyres for different seasons, therefore it is important for you to classify them correctly.
- The use of some type of oil or chemical is another of the possible causes that can lead to them needing to be replaced.
- Your driving habits and the time you take to change them can affect their performance and useful life. So remember to use them properly.
So, if you’ve ever wondered about when you should change your tyres, you should take all of these aspects into consideration. If you implement these recommendations we have given you to extend the life of your wheels, you will optimise their performance on the road.
