"The tread on your tyres is what maintains your driving control, grips the road, disperses water and keeps you safe. A worn tyre increases the time it takes you to brake, as well as your chance of losing control." - Greg Murphy

 

Here's how to stay safe and get the best life out of your tyres: 

1.     Ensure that your tyres have more than 2mm of tread.

 

Most new tyres start out with about 8-9mm of tread. When the tread wears, the tyre’s ability to disperse water reduces. When the tread wears down to less than 2mm, the tyre will likely be unsafe to use and should be replaced as soon as possible

 

Regularly check the indicators on your tyre’s tread pattern, which will show as lines across the tread when it’s reduced to 1.6mm.

 

    

2.     Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated.

 

Under or over-inflating your tyres is dangerous and can lead to excessive tread wear. Look for the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure, listed on the sticker usually located on the driver’s side door pillar or fuel flap, or ensure a tyre specialist inflates it for you.

 

 Check your tyres weekly, either by yourself or by a tyre specialist.

 

 Pressures should be checked when your tyres are cold.

 

 Pressures should be checked with an accurate tyre gauge.

 

 For heavy loads or sustained high-speed operations, inflation pressures must be increased according to your vehicle’s recommendations.

 

 

 

3.     Rotate your tyres regularly.

 

Tyre rotation is vital to achieving safe tread wear and long tyre life. Tyres can wear differently depending on their position on the vehicle. This can be due to vehicle loading or suspension and steering set up. Rotating your tyres will give a more even wear pattern and prolong tyre life.

 

 For maximum tyre life, have your tyres rotated every 10,000 kilometres, or according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

 

4.     Get a professional wheel alignment regularly.

 

Misaligned wheels will cause your tyres to wear excessively and irregularly. Having correctly aligned wheels is also essential for safe handling and braking; it can even help to reduce driver fatigue.

 

 Have a professional wheel alignment carried out every six months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

 

  

       

          Irregular                    Shoulder wear                Centre wear

     shoulder wear