Keeping an eye on your tyres is one of the most important general maintenance tasks any driver can undertake. Driving on tyres that are in good condition is essential if you want to keep yourself and other road users safe.
If you never develop a flat, you might be tempted to leave it at that and deem your tyres completely fine to drive on. The truth is, there are several important signs that indicate your tyres need replacing, which you should look out for.
Here at Colwills Garage, we provide a range of Bude tyre services to ensure we can get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible, allowing you to drive safely and confidently.
If you experience any of the issues below, it’s likely you’ll need new tyres. If you’re unsure, you can always come into the Colwills Garage, where we will be able to advise you and source your new tyres!
Worn Tyres
One of the most obvious signs that you need to get new tyres is when they become worn down. Even the highest quality tyres cannot last forever, so this is a sign you’ll inevitably see at some stage.
Tread Depth
Keeping an eye on your tyres’ tread depth will help ensure that you’re driving tyres that will keep you safe while also meeting the legal requirements.
For tyres to be roadworthy, the tread depth must be at least 1.6mm.
Although this is the minimum depth, after which point, they are legally required to be replaced, many mechanics will recommend replacing your tyres once they reach 3mm to ensure they can help you stop quickly enough in an emergency.
The 20p Check:
Checking your tyres’ tread depth yourself is easy enough - all you need is a regular 20p coin!
Take your coin and insert it at various points along your wheel’s tread channel. If the outer band of the coin retreats far enough into the tread channel and is no longer visible, your tyres are over 1.6mm and are legal to drive on.
If the outer band of the coin is visible, you can take this as a sure sign that you need new tyres!
Cracks or Bulges
When you are measuring your tread depth, it is also a good idea to visually check each of your tyres over to ensure they don’t have any abnormal cracks, cuts or bulges.
Cracks in the sidewall become more common as tyres get older and the rubber starts to break down. Ignoring these telltale signs of worn tyres can lead to blowouts.
Luckily, these kinds of issues are easy to spot with the naked eye and provide warning signs that you need to replace your tyres as soon as possible.
If you are thinking about replacing your tyres, take a look at our ultimate guide to buying tyres in the UK, where we cover everything you need to know.
Unusual Noises When Driving
Loud squeaking and squealing sounds are never something you want to hear while driving. However, if you do start hearing them, you should bring your car into the garage to have your wheels and tyres checked over, as they might be the problem.
Unusual sounds may mean that your tyres have got a puncture or worsening crack. Strange whining noises can be caused when there are changes in air compression.
Shaking or Vibrations When Driving
We can’t expect to experience super smooth driving all the time, but feeling excessive vibrations from the road can be alarming nonetheless. An abnormal level of vibrations is especially noticeable when driving along a smooth stretch of newer road.
This issue could be down to a number of things - one of them being faulty or worn tyres. A shaky driving experience can be caused when your tyres do not have sufficient tread.
If you notice this issue, it can help to pull over straight away to see if you can spot any visible problems with your tyres.
Under-Inflated Tyres
Checking your tyre pressure is another important maintenance task you’ll need to do periodically.
Under-inflated tyres can increase the speed at which your tyres become worn, as they are not able to perform at their best.
If upon checking your tyre pressure, you notice that they are under-inflated more often than seems reasonable, it may be a sign of a slow puncture. If you think this is the case, you should replace the affected tyre or have your wheels checked out by a professional.
Ageing Tyres
After a certain point, it becomes advisable to replace your tyres regardless of whether they are showing signs of any serious problems. Tyres undergo a lot of stress and, like any other vehicle component, will deteriorate as they age no matter what you do.
Many experts will recommend having your tyres checked around every five years, with 20,000 miles being a good marker of when you should think about replacing them.
Issues with your tyres can be an inconvenience, but they’re important to address. Here at Colwills Garage, we know that getting back on the road as soon as possible is a top priority, which is why we are equipped to support you with a range of tyre and wheel services.
If you’ve seen any of these signs or are worried about the performance of your tyres, give us a call today or book an online appointment.