How to Identify Old, Worn or Damaged Tyres

Do you know how old your car tyres are? Would you know when it's time to replace them? Certainly, there are times when identifying that it’s time to buy new tyres is a relatively simple and obvious task, but this isn’t always the case.

Effective tyres are essential to the performance and safety of your vehicle. Here we’ll take a look at 5 warning signs that may indicate your tyres are old, worn or damaged.

How Worn is the Tyre Tread?

A vehicle’s ability to brake and corner, as well as your overall on-road safety, is significantly dependent on suitable tyre tread. In Australia, the legal tread limit is 1.5mm. By the time there is only 1.6mm of tread depth remaining it’s a good idea to start looking into a new tyre purchase.

Poor tread can result in reducing your car’s traction on the road surface, which in turn negatively impacts your ability to brake. It also reduces the tyre’s ability to effectively disperse water, increasing your risk of aquaplaning.

Periodically assessing the tread wear of your tyres should be a part of your general vehicle maintenance. It is a relatively simple task, and you can do so in a few different ways.

How Do You Assess Tyre Tread Depth?

To assess tread depth, you can look at the tyre wear bars. These are located evenly throughout the main grooves in the tyre. Once these are level with the tread, your tyre needs to be replaced.

You can also use a tyre tread depth gauge, which you can purchase at your nearest auto parts store. To use, place the probe bar into the groove of the tyre and push the shoulders flush with the tread. To read the tread depth, check the top of the gauge to see the measurement. You should measure the tread of each tyre in several spots and judge the tread depth by the lowest depth measured.

Check For Cracks, Gouges or Bulging

Much the same with assessing tread depth, a visual inspection of your tyres, looking for possible cracks, gouges or bulging should be a part of regular vehicle maintenance. These types of tyre damage can lead to the tyre developing a slow leak, which when left unnoticed may result in a tyre blowout.

A crack in the sidewall of a tyre is an indication that it is developing a slow leak. Bulges are a sign that the outer surface of the tyre is becoming weak. In both instances, these cracks or bulges significantly increase your risk of a tyre blowout, which you want to avoid at all costs.

If you identify visual signs of tyre damage, you should have the tyre assessed by the professionals at Marks & Wallings, who will advise you on the appropriate course of action.

Have You Noticed Excessive Shaking, or Vibration in the Steering Wheel?

Have you started to notice that your steering wheel is shaking or vibrating when driving? Does it become particularly bad when travelling at higher speeds? If this sounds like your vehicle, then now may be the time to buy new tyres.

A shaking or vibrating steering wheel can be an indication that there is a problem with the interior of the tyre. This is not the only cause behind the problem though, it may also be the result of misaligned or unbalanced tyres.

If you have noticed a vibration or shaking in the steering wheel that has become worse over time, it is recommended that you have the tyres assessed by a professional who can advise you as to whether or not you need new tyres.

Do Your Tyres Show Signs of Uneven Wear?

Uneven tyre wear can be the result of several issues, including under or over inflated tyres, or a bad wheel alignment. In instances where tyre inflation pressures are the cause, this again comes back to regular vehicle maintenance. It is a good idea to check your tyre pressures once a month.

When your tyres are inflated to their recommended pressures (and rotated according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended schedule), they are much more likely to achieve even wear. Even wear also promotes good tyre life, which means that you get the most out of your tyre purchase.

To check the pressures of your tyres, use a quality tyre pressure gauge that can be purchased from your local auto parts store. For an accurate reading check your pressures when the tyres are cold (driven on for 5 or less minutes).

You should always check the pressure of each tyre against the recommendations listed on the tyre placard, and make sure you include the spare tyre in your check. If you need to adjust the pressures, you can either do this at home with an air compressor, or you can use one at your nearest service station.

Are Your Tyres Getting Old?

There are times when your car will need new tyres, even if you think they look alright. The rubber compound that tyres are made from deteriorates over time. Influences such as the frequency of use, driver habits, storage and exposure to the elements will also impact how rapidly your tyres deteriorate.

You can identify how old your tyres are by looking at the build date, which is marked on the tyre sidewall. It’s represented by a four digit number that typically appears following the symbol DOT. The first two digits represent the week of production and the second two digits represent the year of manufacture.

As an example, the build date numbers 4020 indicate that the tyre was manufactured in the 40th week of the year 2020.

While there is no hard and fast rule as to when a tyre needs to be replaced due to its age, once your tyres are 5 years old you should carefully monitor their condition. It is also a good idea to have older tyres annually inspected by a tyre professional. The bottom line? Once a tyre is 10 years or older, regardless of its visual appearance - it’s time to buy new tyres.

Never underestimate the key role your tyres play on your vehicle. They are your only contact with the road, helping to absorb shock and providing grip for your car. Driving on old, damaged or worn tyres places you at greater risk of a tyre blowout, or a loss of traction that may result in aquaplaning.

Taking the time to visually inspect your tyres and maintaining recommended tyre pressures is a good start when it comes to tyre safety and knowing when the time has come to replace your tyres.

Here at Marks & Wallings, we supply and fit a great range of tyres from leading brands, including Bridgestone, Continental, Kumho, Maxxis, Hifly, and Falken that are suited to most makes and models. Come in and see us at 940-946 Victoria Rd, West Ryde, or call us on (02) 9807 1000 to discuss your tyre needs. We’ll work with you to find the right tyre for your vehicle, driving needs and budget.