Age. As your tyres get older, the polymers naturally weaken and begin to break down. This causes your tyres to harden and become brittle – and this loss of elasticity can mean the tyres crack. Even if your car hasn’t been driven for a few years and is stored in a garage, the tyres can still weaken and crack.
Are your tyres cracking?
Tyres are highly engineered pieces of equipment and they’re arguably one of the most important parts of your car. Without them, your car wouldn’t be able to move. However, tyres don’t last forever, and there are some signs of wear and tear that you need to look out for, including cracking.
Do tires get brittle with age?
The tire may have MORE surface in contact with the road in dry conditions – however: tire compounds sometimes get more brittle with age as well as sun damage and age cracking. 8 clever moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
Are old tires dangerous?
Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While there’s no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents. Here are just two examples:
Is it safe to replace a tire that’s 6 years old?
A tire that’s 6 years old or older isn’t safe and should be replaced, regardless of wear. People usually rely on a tire’s tread depth to determine when to replace it. But tire age is critical, too.
What are illegal tyres?
Tyre tread depth has to be above 1.6mm to be legal. This must be the case for the middle three quarters of the tyre.
Why are my tyres illegal?
There are several reasons why your tyres may be classed as illegal. From tyre pressure to tread depth, all of these factors contribute to the safety of your vehicle. So, we’ve created a detailed list to help explain what makes your tyres illegal and how you can avoid any unwanted penalties: Different vehicles require different tyres.
How do I know if a tyre is legal?
You can buy tyre tread gauges that help you assess the tread depth of the tyre, plus you can also get more basic colour-coded tools that let you know if a tyre is legal or not at a glance. For more information about tyres read our complete guide to tyre buying or our complete guide to tyre safety and maintenance.
What are the most common tyre problems?
Low tread depth is one of the most common tyre problems and can lead to serious issues such as loss of traction and aquaplaning. The legal minimum depth of tread is 1.6mm and anything below this can lead to ‘bald tyres’ where the tyre rubber has been completely worn down.
Is 2 mm tyre tread legal?
Tyre tread depth has to be above 1.6mm to be legal. This must be the case for the middle three quarters of the tyre. What is the legal limit for tyres to pass MOT? The legal tyre tread depth in the UK is above 1.6mm in the middle three quarters of the tyre. How long does the average tyre last?
How many months do tyres last?
The consensus among tyre manufacturers and safety groups is that vehicle owners should replace their tyres roughly every 5-6 years.
How long do rear tyres last?
Under normal driving conditions, you should get a minimum of 20,000 miles out of front tyres on a front-wheel-drive car. For rear tyres, it can be double that – around 40,000 miles. We recommend moving worn rear tyres to the front when the front ones wear out. How does wear affect tyre lifespan?
How long do tires last in storage?
Tires can last for up to six years in storage when stored properly. However, it is recommended to never use a tire that is over six years old, even if it has never been used or has been in storage. Additionally, if storing tires, ensure they are put away in a cool, dry, and dark space away from the sun to prevent cracking.
How long do all-season tires last?
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
How long can tyres be stored in Singapore?
However, take note that guidelines differ between countries and regions. For instance, some states in the USA advise that tyres can be stored up to 6 years while another state may advise storage of up to 5 years. The guideline in Singapore is that tyres are fit for use within 5 years from their manufactured date.
Should you replace tyres in pairs?
Changing tyres in pairs But should tyres be replaced in pairs? The answer is ideally, yes. Replacing just the one tyre without changing the tyre on the opposite side of the axle at the same time may cause an imbalance to the vehicle – potentially leading to wheel misalignment and excessive tyre wear.
Should I replace my tires in pairs?
Although it’s easier to replace all four tires, it’s okay to replace your tires in pairs. It saves money and still makes the vehicle safer. How can I make my new tires last longer? Tires don’t last forever, but some simple best practices can help them reach their full potential.
Why do you change tyres in pairs?
Why change tyres in pairs? Why change tyres in pairs? Tyres have a huge influence on how your car steers, accelerates, brakes and feels when you drive. As the only contact point between your car and the road, it is vital that you choose your tyres carefully in order to keep you and your passengers safe.
When should I replace my tires?
Generally, there are two different factors that impact when to replace tires: wear and age. Tire Wear: All tires eventually begin to experience wear. How the tire wears can be a indication of an issue with your alignment or tire pressure. Tire tread should wear evenly across the whole tire rather than on the inside or outside of the tire.
Do I need to replace tyres on a single axle?
If your tyres on a single axle have different tread depths and one needs to be replaced, you will need to make a judgement call as to whether you replace one or both tyres to ensure the tread depth of both sides remains fairly even.
