It’s not an overstatement to say that tyres remain one of the most neglected parts of our cars. Many of us who drive know little to nothing about car tyres other than checking air pressure every now and then.
But did you know that not knowing anything about tyres, especially how to check their condition and knowing when to replace them, can save you a lot of money from potential scammers? If you’re one of those noobs, this article is for you.
What is a tyre wear indicator?
Tyre wear indicators are bars or marks with even spacing located along the tread of your car tyres. You can find them on all four tyres of your car. Its primary function is to let you check how much tyre tread depth has worn out over time.
In Malaysia, tread depth is typically measured in millimetres (mm), with new tyres having tread depths ranging from 7mm to 9mm. On a new tyre, the indicator bars should be clearly visible.
How do you check the condition of your car tyres?
A good rule of thumb is to check the condition of your car tyres is fundamentally checking the tyre wear indicator while examining the state of the tyres.
Generally, you need to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm for cars. Anything below this is not ideal, and you should consider changing them immediately.
On average, car tyres last five years or longer if you drive less and under less extreme conditions. But if you drive frequently and under extreme conditions, your tyres may wear out much quicker.
When do you need to change your tyres?
Many drivers these days end up in situations where they find themselves replacing tyres that are still in good condition. This is mainly due to the lack of knowledge on how to check them. An average person who doesn’t know how to check the condition of their car tyres would bring it to a nearby workshop for assistance.
If you’re lucky, the workers might advise you accordingly and when to change them. But more often than not, people run into workshops that make them change all four tyres even if they’re still in usable condition. Worse still, sometimes you might even get old or used tyres as a replacement.
So, to avoid these situations, it’s best that you understand how to check them on your own. Here’s a quick checklist to help you out during those times:
- Ensure the minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm (for cars). You can use a ruler to measure this.
- Check for any visible abnormalities such as tears, cracks/splits, or cuts on the side of the tyre and stains or discolouration of the entire tyre.
- Also, check for uneven tread wear and separated tread
You are good to go if your tyre is free from all of the abovementioned abnormalities. You can rest assured that they are safe and can continue to be used. To prevent early tread wear, always maintain good tyre pressure at all times, as under or overinflation can also affect the overall condition of tyres.
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