Tyres are among the most crucial components from/on your vehicle. Unsafe tyres mean unsafe driving, and this could end up costing you more than just a tyre replacement. So, how to tell if your tyres need replacing ? Unfortunately, there is no ‘use by’ date as such that lets us know when they expire. The lifespan of your tyres will vary depending on different factors.
Here are the signs that indicate it’s time to get yourself a fresh new set of tyres.
They’re over 10 years old
If you have not had a tyre replacement in over 10 years, this is the first sign it is time to get some new ones. Although the conditions of tyres and what they are exposed to will have a big impact on their durability, age is still a notable factor. It’s advocated having your tyres checked by a tyre specialist once they are 5 years old. Thereafter the age of 10 years, it is almost certain you will require some sort of new tyre fitting.
Visible wear
There are a variety of factors that can impact car tyre wear and tear. It is inevitable tyres will deteriorate over time due to their exposure to weathering conditions and road surfaces. This can often lead to splits and other visible wearing in the walls. If left for far too long, the chances of a tyre blowout when you are behind the wheel will become more likely. Especially if you are travelling at top speed, this can pose a serious risk of a crash. When you notice cracks, blisters or bulges in the tyres’ sidewalls, it is best to see a tyre specialist as soon as possible. This will help you determine whether you need a tyre replacement.
You frequently need to pump them up
Another tell-tale sign for how to tell if your tyres need replacing is the frequent need to pump them up. As opposed to a standard puncture being obvious, slow punctures can go by unnoticed for some time. Punctures can have a huge impact on your road safety, so it’s important to pay attention to any signs. Having a tyre pressure monitoring system can offer added assistance for recognising possible tyre punctures.
The tread is too worn
As a standard, the minimum allowed tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm. New tyres have on average a starting tread depth of at least 8mm. This will deteriorate gradually over time. It’s recommended to get your tyres replaced if the tread reduces to 3mm or you notice any holes within the tread.
You must get a tyre replacement if they are worn past the standard. Otherwise, this will make driving unsafe and you could even get pulled over. If found with defective tyres, you could receive three points on your licence and up to £2,500 worth of fines for each tyre. That’s a possible total of 12 points and £10,000! The cost for a tyre replacement as compared to the fines you could receive, make getting a new tyre fitting even more worthwhile.
Where to get tyre replacement
If you are still unsure of how to tell if your tyres need replacing, talk to Lothian Mobile Tyre Fitting. LMTF are renowned tyre specialists in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We have a huge range of branded replacement tyres available for different car models including some of the finest Edinburgh tyres.