May 2012: When Should You Replace Your Tyres?

It is quite clear that at one point in time you will need to replace your tyres due to different reasons. This is a task most of us are reluctant to undertake, mainly because of financial reasons, but also because of the time needed to resolve this problem.

For many, the only moment they need to replace their tyres is when a serious and visible problem appears, such as a nail which got stuck in the tyre or if the tire is visibly worn out and parts of it have begun to fall out.

But to wait until your tyres suffer such a high level of deterioration can be quite dangerous for your car’s integrity and your health.

To help you with this problem we have come up with a short list of tips on how to check whether or not your tyres are worn out or not.

First off, if you don’t own a tyre tread gauge, then you should look into purchasing one and using it. With the help of this simple tool you will able to determine how deep the gaps in your tyre treads are. The safety minimum is of 1.6mm, but we recommend that you change your tyres when the gap reaches 3mm to ensure that your automobile responds well for different tight manoeuvres and small stopping distances.

Second, begin the use of tread wear indicators on your tyres. This will help you determine whether or not your tyre is worn. Usually, when the tyre becomes similar in aspect with that of the tread wear sample the tyre has about 2mm of tread left.

Third, use the 20 pence test. This is a simple, yet quite efficient test to indicate whether or not your tyres are worn. Use a simple 20 pence coin and place it in the tread. If the outer band is visible then it is indicated that you replace your tyres.

Fourth, if you are not sure of your tyres integrity you can go to a garage for a simple check-up. Many companies offer tyre check-up services for free when you employ extensive services or package check-ups for your car in which all major components are checked, such as tyres, oil levels and so forth.