If you are a car owner, your biggest concern must be ‘When to change a car tyre?’ and that’s a very valid question considering it’s not an everyday task you would be changing your car tyres.
However, you will notice some obvious signs before your car tyre replacement time comes. As the tyres are the only thing in a car that makes direct contact with the road, they essentially take the entire load of the car.
Over the years, these tyres may have gone through a lot of tears and have been worn out, that is why they need replacement.
A car tyre life depends upon various factors that may be caused by your driving and car maintenance habits. You need to change your car tyres when the time comes otherwise you may compromise your safety.
Old and worn-out tyres may affect driving performance and eventually lead to losses like punctured tyres.
This is why we will be tackling some of the major signs that you should notice in your car tyres to determine when to change car tyres and other topics, such as how to inspect your car tyres, and how to maintain them.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Top 5 Signs to Notice When to Change Car Tyres
Here are some of the most common signs that may answer your question about when to change car tyres:
Sign 1: Age of Tyres
Usually, a tyre life in years is said to be six years. Over the years, the rubber and other compounds in the tyre get worn out and break down. It affects the overall performance of the tyres.
This is also something to be considered when you’re planning to buy a new tyre. Make sure to have strong durability as your old tyres might already be near the end of their lifespan.
Sign 2: End of Tyre’s Lifespan
An act is estimated to last for a certain number of miles or kilometres. After the limit has been surpassed, it’s now time to replace them.
If you continue to drive a car with tyres that have reached a certain limit of their lifespan already can lead to dangerous situations.
Such tyres can cause blowouts or flat tyres (punctures). It’s not worth risking your safety and bearing major losses, so, it’s better to replace them in time.
Sign 3: Tyre Tread being Worn-out
The easiest way to know if your tyre life in years is coming near its end is to check your car tyre tread. If the car tread is worn out and haggard, it needs immediate changing.
Even a new tyre starts losing tread as soon as it gets on the road. These days there are companies that include depth indicators in their tyre grooves to make it easier for you to know when to change car tyres.
For regular cars, if the tread depth goes below 1mm or reaches the indicator marks, it's no longer safe, and you should replace your tyres.
Sign 4: Brakes Inefficiency
You will find that when you hit the brakes, it isn’t as smooth as it used to be. This is one of the major hints to check up on your car tyres. You must check your tyres first, because if they’re not the cause then they must be worn brake pads.
Car tyres affect the efficiency of the brakes as the car tyre life reaches its peak they start to lose their grip, especially at higher speeds.
Driving with old tyres reduces your stopping power, which indicates that the tyre life in years is near its end if it has started to affect brakes like that.
Sign 5: Damaged Sidewalls
If the sidewalls of your tyres are damaged like having scratches, bumps, cracks, or bulges on them, then it's your turn to immediately change your car tyres.
Sidewalls act as a crucial part of the well-being of car tyres. So, if they are not stable and protecting their internal structure, it's better to change tyres immediately.
If you keep driving with the damaged sidewalls, it may cause tyre blowout.
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The Legal Tire Limit of The Tread Depth
It’s important to maintain the safety measures of your car tyres to prevent your car from getting mishappenings. There is an official limit of 1.6 mm for the car tyre tread depth.
The law states that you must get a car tyre replacement before your tyre reaches the tread depth limit.
How to Measure Tyre Tread Depth?
There are a few easy ways to check the tread depth of your tyres:
1. Tread Wear Indicators
As modern cars have been advancing their features, nowadays, car tyres come with built-in tread wear or bars.
You will notice small ridges in the tyre’s grooves, and if the tread is coming level to level with those indicators, it’s time to replace them.
2. Tread Depth Gauge
A tread depth gauge is a simple tool that provides an accurate measurement of the tread depth.
All you have to do is insert the gauge into the grooves of the tyre and read the measurement.
If the measurement comes out below the tyre depth it is time to replace the car tyre.
3. Penny Test
This is one of the widely used methods. However, it doesn’t necessarily provide the most accurate measurements. You just need a single penny to easily measure the depth.
Even if the method is not the most accurate technique you can still acquire a close estimate.
Furthermore, you can always contact a mechanic or a tyre shop if your car or driving performance is experiencing difficult handling. There are also platforms like Keyenzy which provide solutions for car key repair services and lock solutions.
Must Read: How to check car value
What can happen if you don’t change a car tyre when needed?
If you fail to replace a car tyre when it has reached its peak, it can lead to serious consequences like:
- Reduced Grip
Worn tyres lose their ability to grip the road, increasing the risk of skidding, especially in wet or icy conditions.
- Poor Fuel Efficiency
Worn or improperly inflated tyres create more resistance, causing your car to use more fuel.
- Blowouts
Old or damaged tyres are more likely to suffer blowouts, especially at high speeds, which can lead to accidents.
- Longer Braking Distance
Worn tyres increase your vehicle’s braking distance, which can be dangerous in emergency situations.
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How to maintain a Car Tyre Life?
Regular tyre maintenance can improve an average car tyre life and overall car performance.
1. Regular Inspections
It’s essential to inspect your tyres regularly for signs of wear or damage. A quick visual check can prevent bigger issues down the road.
- Check Tread Depth: Use a gauge or the tread wear indicators on the tyre to monitor tread depth.
- Monitor Tyre Pressure: Keep your tyres properly inflated according to the manufacturer's specifications.
2. Rotating Tyres
There are always questions about the maximum car tyre change km limit. The limit is a maximum of up to 50,000 km.
However, rotating your tyres every 10,000-15,000 kilometres ensures even wear and extends their life.
Front tyres often wear out faster than rear ones, so rotating them can prevent premature replacement.
3. Aligning and Balancing
Proper alignment and balancing are essential for smooth driving and even tyre wear. Misaligned or unbalanced wheels can lead to uneven wear and vibrations.
Final Words
In conclusion, We covered the biggest question of when to change car tyres and we discovered an average car tyre life is 5-6 years if maintained well. There are several factors to consider and take hints from to determine if you need a car tyre replacement that we covered in this article.
Furthermore, we got to know about the limit of the car tyre tread depth and how to measure it, along with the maintenance tips and consequences of not changing the tyre when needed.
Additionally, you can contact Keyenzy for other problems with your car such as needed key replacement services or other related problems. Just fill out this quick form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I check my tyres for wear?
Ans: It is recommended to check your car tyres for tears or damages at least once a month. A car tyre replacement is necessary if you find any minimal punctures, cracks, cuts, or any other damages while doing the inspection. The inspection also ensures that your car tyres are always in good condition.
Q. Can I still use my tyres if they are beyond their lifespan?
Ans: Although it may seem tempting for you to keep using your tyres beyond their limits, it can be quite dangerous. Ideally, car tyres are supposed to be changed every 5 years. Rubber and other compounds get easily haggard with the direct contact of the road over the years. This also affects the driving performance.
Q. How to determine when to change car tyres?
Ans: Here are some of the hints that you should look out for while inspecting your car tyres often:
- Tyres tread depth
- Uneven wearing of treads
- If the treads or sidewalls have cuts or cracks
- If the tyre surface is ruined with nails or rocks jammed into it.
- If the valve cap is damaged
Please note that even if there are no visible problems as mentioned. Your tyre still has an expiry date. Car tyre replacement is a must after a maximum of years of its use.
Q. What is the car tyre change km limit on Indian roads?
Ans: There are a lot of factors affecting the durability of car tyres. Tyres on Indian roads can be used for a maximum of 50,000 Km before they need a change.
