Do you need new tyres?

Car on hoist in workshop with a technician rolling a tyre along the floor.

How long should a set of car tyres last and when do you need to buy new tyres?

While it would be great to be able to provide you with a definitive answer, it simply isn’t possible. How long your car tyres last will depend on several factors, and these include:

The design characteristics of your tyres

Tyres are manufactured using different rubber compounds, some of which have a faster wear rate than others. For example, high performance tyres are designed to provide the driver with enhanced grip, responsiveness, and handling. The off set of such tyre characteristics is that the, often softer, rubber compound tends to have a faster wear rate. High performance tyres are often noisier, too.

Your driving habits

Your driving habits can have a big impact on the lifespan of your tyres. Constant speeding, quick starts, and emergency braking can all influence the lifespan of your tyres. Scraping your tyres on the kerb can also cause damage to the sidewall of your tyres.

Road conditions

Poor road surfaces, including rough or unsealed roads, potholes and objects your vehicle may encounter on the roads can all cause tyre damage, reducing the life of your tyres.

The climate

The climate where you live can affect the air pressure in your tyres. Experiencing extreme temperatures, and strong exposure to sunlight all influence tyre life. In hot weather, tyre pressures are temporarily higher than in cold conditions. This is because cold contracts and heat expands. Varying, and improper, tyre pressures alter the contact patch that the tyre has with the road surface, which can have a negative impact on tyre wear.

Tyre care and maintenance

A lack of tyre maintenance can result in premature tyre wear. Take the time to maintain recommended tyre pressures, and ensure that your vehicle maintains its recommended servicing schedules for tyre rotations.

Mechanic and customer looking at a tyre while the car is up on a hoist.

When do you need new tyres?

At some point, despite these factors, you are going to need new tyres. You will know when the time comes in several ways:

The tread is worn to the legal limit

Here in Australia, the legal tread depth limit is 1.5mm. A tyre with less than 1.5mm of tread is considered unroadworthy and unsafe.

Poor tread depth results in your vehicle:

Losing traction.
Suffering extended braking times.
Becoming harder to control in wet weather.
Suffering an increased risk of aquaplaning in wet weather.

To assess the tread depth of your tyres you can look at the wear bars, which are small bars of rubber running across the grooves, located between the tread of the tyre. As the tread wears down, the wear bar becomes increasingly visible. When any one of these wear bars becomes level with the tread, you will know it’s time to replace the tyre.

The position of the tread wear markers is usually indicated by a small triangle on the tyre sidewall. They are easiest to reach by turning your steering wheel all the way to one side or the other for better visibility.

If you are after more precision, there are special tools for measuring tyre tread depth, which you can buy at your local car parts store for just a few dollars.

In an ideal world, all four tyres should be replaced at the same time.

There is evidence of tyre damage

If you notice signs of tyre damage, such as cuts, bulges, gouges or uneven tyre wear, it may be time to buy new tyres. Failure to identify tyre damage can result in sudden and unexpected tyre failure.

Sometimes tyre damage is not all that noticeable, for example, crazing, which is small cracks that appear on the sidewall of the tyre. This is the result of extended exposure to strong sunlight and air. This is typically only an issue once tyres are more than 5 years old.

If you have any concerns about tyre damage, contact Marks & Wallings on (02) 9807 1000 to arrange a professional and thorough tyre inspection and tread depth check. We can assess the condition of your tyres and advise if new tyres are required.

Your tyres are too old

Perhaps you think your tyres are in good condition - the tread wear is minimal and even across all four tyres, and there are no signs of damage. But how old are they?

Age is an important factor when considering if you require new tyres.

Tyres that are 5 years or older require an annual inspection by a professional. Tyres that are 10 years old, or older will need to be replaced, no matter how good they may look.

To find out how old your tyres are, you will need to locate the build date on the sidewall. This is represented as a four digit build date, which indicates the week and year of production.

For example, 3021 would indicate that the tyre was manufactured in the 30th week of the year 2021.

Find quality tyres in West Ryde at Marks & Wallings

If you have noticed that your tyres are worn, damaged or old, why not contact the professionals at Marks & Wallings. We supply and fit a range of quality brands, including Bridgestone, Continental, Kumho, Maxxis, Hifly and Falken to suit most vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs and 4WDs.

Remember when assessing your tyres to take a look at your spare tyre too. You never want to be without a reliable spare tyre!

Located at 940-946 Victoria Rd, West Ryde, we can assist you with your purchase to ensure you find the right tyre to meet your driving needs and budget.