When Should I Change My Car Tyres: Explained

If you recently got your driver’s license or bought a new car, one of the questions which is probably popping in your head is the one about car tyres.

From buying the right set of tyres to knowing where to replace them, there are a lot of things that vehicle owners don’t know when it comes to changing their car tyres. Today, we are unveiling all the secrets and guiding you to the best way to see when it is time to change your car tyres.

What Are The Main Reasons For Replacing My Car Tyres?

Tyres are the main component that your car drives on – and it’s only contact with the road. As such, car tyres are more important than we usually think. Getting a new set for the road is always important – especially if you have old tyres which are not in a solid condition anymore.

A few hundred miles later, even the best car tyres in UAE will start to gradually wear off. This would affect both the performance and safety of your car. Very often, tyres are the most overlooked and single most important component of any ride. So, even if you have the most powerful car in the world, it would mean nothing unless you have the proper car tyres.

The main reasons why your car tyres need to get replaced include:

• Driving style and habits – Your car’s wheels spin on acceleration or lock when braking increases the wear. Also, speeding, quick starts, driving on damaged roads and failure to notice a change in handling, noise or vibration are all factors that affect your tyres.
• Road conditions – Bad roads are definitely linked to underperforming tyres – in fact, they are a contributing sign for tyres in poor condition. Potholes, obstacles, sharp objects and speed bumps all put your tyres at risk.
• Climate – Extreme temperatures, rain, snow and ice, as well as oil, grease or other chemicals can all be bad for your car tyres.
• Alignment – Wrong alignment leads to tyres wearing off quickly and unevenly.
• Speed – High speed driving increases the temperature and wear (which is why you should check your speed index)
• Position – Front-wheel drive cars normally have (front) car tyres that wear more
• Load – Excess load also increases the wear of your tyres (check your load index)
• Pressure – Your tyres tend to deflate, which is why you should maintain the correct inflation pressure to properly look after them. Both under inflation and over inflation can increase wear.
• Improper usage – Using summer tyres on snow and ice as well as winter tyres in summer can also damage your tyres. Wheel and rim sizes that are not compatible also puts a risk on your safety and the lifespan of your tyres. This is why when installing or replacing your car tyres, you should always consult with a professional.

Now, let’s move on to the basics of tyre replacement.

How Do You Know That Your Car Needs New Tyres?

The main guideline for replacing your tyres is named tread depth. Beyond this factor, you may want to consider the age of your tyres when checking for roadworthiness. 

Below, we are listing the basic guidelines for checking your car tyres.

• By law, your tyre’s tread depth must be at least 1.6mm deep so that your car is considered roadworthy.
• If your tyres are more than 5 years old, they should be checked once a year
• If your tyres are more than 10 years old, you should immediately replace them (even if they still have tread on them)

Car tyres are made of rubber – a material which deteriorates and cracks with age. So, it is best to simply replace your tyres if they have been on your vehicle for more than 7 years. While everyone should keep five years in mind as the optimal period for replacing their tyres, ten years is definitely a maximum.

Also, it is important to know that your tyres are best replaced in complete sets. This way, you won’t get uneven wear between them and can let your car function more smoothly. If you need to replace less than a full set, it is best to do it in sets of two (tyres) and put the new ones on the rear for optimum traction. If you are driving a front wheel drive vehicle, the situation is opposite – you should put them in the front.

How To Maximize the Lifespan And Performance Of Your Tyres

Proper care can extend the car tyres’ lifespan. If you take good care of their air pressure, tread wear, alignment and so on – you can definitely increase their longevity.

So, how do you maximize the lifespan and performance of your tyres?

We recommend you to always:

1. Check your tread depth and see the minimum legal one in the UAE
2. Check for uneven wear which is a clear sign that showcases more than normal stress on the tyre
3. Check the tyre age and make sure to replace your tyres every 5 years
4. Check your air pressure and see if your tyres are under or over-inflated
5. Check your tyre alignment and look for potential displacements
6. Rotate your tyres regularly to even out there wear
7. Know what causes damage to your tyres – and minimize its influence

Final Words

In the end, mileage from tyres is a highly variable factor and one that depends on your vehicle, driving style and local road conditions. This is why there is no one-fits-all rules about replacing your tyres.

However, you should know that getting a new set of car tyres will immediately improve your performance, mileage and feel of your car. If driven properly, anyone can extend their vehicle tyres’ lifespan.