A Complete Guide on When to Change Car Tyres

If you own a car, you know how crucial it is to change its tyres to maintain its performance. The tread in your tyre is responsible for giving you a comfortable ride by helping the tyres have a firm grip on roads. However, regular use results in wearing out the tyre treads, which means you need to change your tyres regularly.

Are you a new car owner and wondering when to change car tyres? This article will be your one-stop solution to learn all about it.

The answer for when to replace car tyres rests with the conditions of the roads. If you drive your car regularly through harsh streets, it is wise to check and replace your tyres more frequently. The driving routine can also determine how often you need a tyre replacement for your car.        

If you wonder when to change tyres, there are several signs and symptoms in your tyre which might give away the exact time. Check out the following factors to learn the right time to replace your car tyres.

Tread Damage

Tread is an essential component in car tyres, which increases the capability of your tyres to maintain a grip on roads. Good quality tread in your tyres enables you to accelerate, stop and turn effortlessly even on bad and wet roads. However, constant wear and tear lead to deterioration of the tyres, which is a safety hazard for your car. Thus, if you wonder when to change car tyres, it depends on your car’s tyre tread.

Car tyres come with tread wear indicators. The triangular arrowhead on the sidewall will be the simplest way to find an indicator. The rubber bridges existing between treads running parallel to the marker will help understand the tyre condition. A worn-out tyre will come up to meet the bridges’ level. If you wonder when to change the tyre of a car, you should take it to a mechanic whenever the tread wears out.

Apart from this, if your car is left unused for a long time, the tyre rubber tends to harden. As a result, it can cause visible cracks on the tread surface. While such cracks are standard on the tread surface, the issue is serious if you find these on the sidewalls. Of course, you can try to drive your car with the existing tyres first. However, if the problem persists, you will have to replace your tyres.

Tyre Alignment

If you are worried about when to change tyre of a car, you should keep track of your car’s tyre alignment. The misalignment or a damaged suspension means that a particular tyre of your vehicle might have worn out unevenly. Even though the tread on one side might seem normal, the other edge must have reached its limit. It means that you need to replace your tyres while getting services for aligning them back.

Sidewall Damage

The majority of passenger cars use radial tyres, and the integrity of the sidewall is a significant component for such tyres. This sidewall can be damaged for driving on sudden potholes  and uneven roads. You can repair it with sidewall patches to immediately reinforce the damaged part and handle the situation. However, replacing these tyres is still the best option for long-term results. Therefore, it might be one of the situations when the car tyre should be changed.

Tyre Age and Extensive Usage

Tyre rubber in a car generally hardens with age and use. As the tyre becomes harder, it loses its flexibility and tractability, resulting in losing grip on the road. At the same time, tyres made from soft components might take longer to harden. One can hardly avoid such a situation. Hence, if you are thinking about when to change car tyres, you should keep an eye on the tyre's condition and try to change it as soon as it becomes too hard.

However, it is usually suggested that one should change car tyres every 5-6 years even if the tyre treads are intact. One needs to check and assess the quality of car tyres more often to ensure that they do not need replacement. Furthermore, if your car undergoes an accident and the tyres face minor damage, it is a wise idea to replace them.

Most tyres usually have a lifespan of 5 years. However, in about a decade from their manufacturing date, tyres show ageing effects both outside and inside. Moreover, if you use your car extensively, these tyres might face some heavy blows causing damage to their structure. Even if the structural damage is not visible, the insides of the tyre might have worn down. Thus, replace your tyres before long drives, particularly when you overuse your car.

Environmental Parameters

Considering the environmental conditions can help you figure out when to change car tyres. For instance, your car tyres can get damaged more quickly during the monsoon season. Hence, if your surroundings are wet and humid, you should change your car tyres at least a week before the monsoon starts. Moreover, your tyres might wear out faster if you are used to driving more quickly.

If you own a car, you should know its parts to improve its performance. Instead of thinking about when tyres should be replaced, it is advisable to examine your car tyres frequently and check for exterior damages. It might help you spot the following damages on your car tyres.

• Deflated or punctured tyres
• Damaged valve caps or areas in your tyres
• Shallow or uneven tyre tread
• Unstable car pulling in one direction
• Misalignment of car or a rough ride

If you notice these changes when driving or inspecting your car, you should not think twice before taking it to your service centre. Expert mechanics will give you a clearer idea of the issues and fix them by replacing such tyres or making further changes to your car.

Therefore, as you can see, car owners should clearly understand when to change car tyres. It is essential to constantly check for damages and change the tyres based on use and ordinary tyre life. It will help you boost your car's performance and sustain it longer.