People don’t often think about tyres as a safety feature of their car, but that’s exactly what they are – as the only thing between your car and the road, they’re key to keeping you and your family safe as you drive. This makes it vital that they are properly maintained.

Like most of the components that make up your car, your tyres will wear out over time and will eventually need to be replaced. Because of this, it’s important that your tyres be regularly checked to ensure that they’re still in a safe, working condition. It will also allow you to spot any minor damage to the tyre, stopping it from becoming a major problem, and keep on top of important maintenance like monitoring the air pressure. This will all help to increase your tyre lifespan.

Why is your tyre air pressure important?

The air pressure in your tyres has a massive impact on how your car drives, affecting both your ability to brake safely and your overall fuel economy. As you drive, the air inside your tyres gradually escapes through the non-airtight seal on your car. The more deflated a tyre is, the less efficient and more dangerous it can become. 

A tyre pressure check is a quick and simple way to understand how your tyres are faring. It can be done fairly easily and involves restoring your vehicle’s tyres back to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. This pressure can usually be found written in the vehicle’s manual, or inside the door jamb or the glovebox of your car.

By regularly inspecting your tyre pressure, you’ll also be able to conduct a routine tyre check and make sure they’re still in good working order. If, for example, you notice that they’re losing pressure more quickly than usual, that may be an indication of some minor damage. Inspect each of your tyres for any debris, such as glass, nails or screws. Also do a thorough inspection for any bald spots on the tyre or signs of uneven wearing, as these may mean that the wheel is not properly aligned and you might need to prematurely replace the tyres.

When should you consider a tyre replacement?

Every tyre is made and used differently, meaning there’s no fixed rule on when to replace tyres, and no easy way to translate a tyre lifespan into kilometres either. The general suggestion is that they should be rigorously inspected by a qualified mechanic after six years, to ensure that they’re still safe to use. This inspection should become regular, and no tyre should be in use for longer than ten years – although in practice, very few would ever last that long. 

The wear indicators on your tyre treads offer the clearest way to determine whether it might be time to replace tyres on your car. These are included by the manufacturer to give you a visible indicator when your tyres are approaching only 1.5mm of tread remaining; if the indicator has been worn away in some places then it’s time to replace them.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that all of your tyres will need to be replaced, as they will individually wear at different rates. The front two tyres on a four-wheel drive can wear out at almost double the rate of the back tyres, for instance, so you should always speak with a professional mechanic before deciding to replace them.

Your trusted local mechanic

If you have any questions about your tyre’s air pressure, or a typical tyre replacement cost, the expert team at Hi-Mech Auto Solutions are here to help you. With decades of experience, our team of qualified mechanics can get you back on the road as quickly and as safely as possible. 

Get in touch with us today on (07) 7517 0121, or fill out our online contact form.