The condition of your tyres can affect your car’s handling, cornering, and braking. Most people know that worn tyres should be replaced for safety, but many believe that tread depth is the only indicator of tyre wear. In reality, tyres can become old and unsafe even when they aren’t regularly used on the road.
How Tyres Age
It’s obvious that tyres age with regular use, and in these cases, tread depth is a good indicator of when they should be replaced. However, tyres also deteriorate over time whether they’re being driven on or not. The rubber compounds in tyres break down gradually, meaning that even if you only drive your car occasionally or over short distances, your tyres are still ageing. In fact, even if your tyres are never driven on, they will become unsafe after a certain period of time.
This includes spare tyres, which often sit unused in the boot for years. Over time, cracks start to appear in the rubber, both on the surface and inside the tyre, which can eventually cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tyre.
Research has shown that tyres deteriorate faster in warmer climates and coastal locations. Exposure to heat and sunlight accelerates the breakdown of rubber, which is why spare tyres bake inside your boot on hot summer days.
Other factors that contribute to tyre ageing include driving habits and maintenance. Driving on under-inflated tyres, for instance, can speed up tyre wear, as can uneven wear caused by suspension or alignment issues. Additional factors include whether the vehicle is evenly loaded, whether the correct type of tyres is fitted, and whether tyres are rotated according to tread wear.
How to Spot Signs of Age
One way to determine a tyre’s age is by checking the manufacturer’s markings, although these can be difficult to interpret. Your tyre dealer can help you with this. A more obvious way to tell is by visually inspecting the tyre’s surface.
Look for signs of ageing, such as tread distortion, hairline cracks, bulging, and, of course, tread wear, which should be no less than 1.6mm. Modern tyres have tread wear indicators, which are small bridges between the treads. When the tread is level with these bars, it’s time to replace the tyre.
Another way to check tread wear is by using a tread wear gauge, which is inexpensive and available at most auto parts stores. Alternatively, you can visit your local tyre dealer to have your tyres professionally checked.
When to Replace Old Tyres
There isn’t a universally agreed-upon time frame for replacing tyres, as conditions of use and storage vary. However, manufacturers like Mercedes and Nissan recommend replacing tyres six years from the production date, regardless of usage. Tyres can last up to ten years, but experts advise having them professionally inspected every year after their fifth year of use.
When replacing tyres, experts recommend doing so in pairs (if not all four at once) and placing the new pair on the rear of the vehicle for better traction and handling. Don’t forget about the spare tyre—it will need replacing at some point as well to ensure it doesn’t fail when you need it most.
How to Make Your Tyres Last Longer
Like most vehicle components, regular maintenance can extend the life of your tyres. This includes keeping them inflated to the correct pressure (as specified in your owner’s manual) and rotating them regularly to ensure even wear—at least every 8,000 to 13,000 kms. Simply maintaining the correct tyre pressure can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3%, meaning you’ll not only stay safer but also save money at the pump.
You can also prolong your tyres’ life by avoiding overloading your vehicle, driving responsibly (avoiding sharp cornering and braking), and inspecting your tyres regularly for signs of ageing and wear.
Even with proper care, time will eventually catch up with your tyres. When you do replace them, ensure they’re new. Never buy second-hand tyres, as you don’t know what conditions they’ve been subjected to, and even unused tyres can be much older than you think.
