When to change a tyre
When should you change your tyres? It’s an important question to know the answer to.
If your car doesn’t grip the road as well as normal in wet weather, or if it’s not handling as well, or takes a little longer to stop when you apply the brakes, this could be an indication that your tyres may need changing. Because tyres wear down gradually over time however, it can be difficult to always notice these changes, so checking them regularly for wear is important. If the tread level looks low, and you’re not sure, then take them somewhere and ask them to check them for you.
There are three basic types of tyres – summer tyres, winter tyres and all weather tyres. If you use all weather tyres which many people do, these are designed to be used all year round, they are good for most conditions except heavy snow where braking performance is a little compromised. Summer and Winter tyres are designed to fit the conditions of the season. Summer tyres being designed for temperatures above freezing through spring, summer and autumn. Winter tyres are suitable for use on snow and ice covered roads and they have different groove patterns, and more friction and suppleness at low temperatures. If you use Winter/Summer tyre combination then you will need to judge when to change these tyres over, and that will be very much dependant on the conditions in your area that season. The best thing to do in this instance is to speak to your local garage and follow their advice on when to make the change.
If you drive on a tyre that’s damaged the tyre can become punctured or ruptured, so if you discover damage change the tyre immediately to avoid safety issues, and also issues where the wheel may become damaged.
If you find that one or more tyres has abnormal wear on it – for example due to having to brake suddenly, then get the tyre checked, and change it if necessary. Don’t forget that to be legal and safe the tyre wear should be over 1.6mm around the full circumference of the tyre and across three quarters of the width of it.