Expert Advice: When to change or replace my car tyres
When it comes to road safety, your tyre’s health is crucial. Tyres are often the most neglected things on a vehicle and, as they are where your vehicle meets the road, it is extremely important to keep them in top condition.
Your car’s tyres contribute to not only safe handling and braking, but also to the comfort and overall running costs of your car. Like most things, tyres will endure wear and tear and this will affect how your tyres and car perform on the road.
The CMI Toyota Tyre Experts know how important it is to ensure your car’s tyres are in good condition and our One Stop Tyre Shop, available at all CMI Toyota Service departments across Adelaide, can assist with all tyre repairs, including flat tyres, puncture repair and tyre fitting, as well as tyre inspections.
Here’s some important information from our Toyota Tyre Experts on how to tell if your tyre is worn, when to replace them and how to care for your tyres.
When is my car tyre worn out?
You’ll need to look at your tread depth. The minimum legal tread depth in Australia is 1.5mm.
If you have a look at your tyres, you’ll see that they have tread wear indicator (TWIs) bars moulded into the tread grooves at regular intervals around the tyre. This will indicate when your tyre is worn to its limit of safety and needs to be replaced. It is recommended that a tyre is replaced once the tread depth is down to approximately 2mm.
To check this yourself, place an 20c coin into the tyre groove. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus, it’s time to have your tyres checked by the CMI Toyota Tyre team.
If you’re not sure whether it’s time to get new tyres, it’s always best to check with the tyre experts at CMI Toyota. Visit one of the CMI Toyota Tyre shops across Adelaide and our team will be able to assist and ensure that you and your family are kept safe on Adelaide’s roads.
How often should I be replacing my car tyres?
The lifespan of a tyre will depend on a range of factors, including your driving habits, climate, road conditions, the tyre quality and how well you care for your tyres.
Your tyres should be inspected by the CMI Toyota Tyre team at least once per year and rotated. It is recommended that your tyres are replaced at least every five years at a minimum, or when the tread is getting close to being at the legal minimum depth. If your tyres have not been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, they should be replaced, no matter how often you have driven the vehicle or the amount of tread that is left. This applies to spare tyres as well.
It is best to replace all four tyres at the same time. Mismatched tyres can affect the overall balance and road grip of your vehicle.
If you are unsure as to whether your tyres need to be replaced, the CMI Toyota Tyre team are more than happy to look over them next time you’re in for a service or call our team to make an appointment for a tyre inspection.
Where do I get my car tyres fitted?
The CMI Toyota Tyre team can help you find the right tyre for your vehicle and fit your tyres, including ensuring they are aligned correctly. The tyres required for your vehicle will depend on the type of vehicle it is and the quality of tyre you wish to purchase. Generally speaking, the higher quality of tyre will see the tyre last longer.
How can I care for my car tyres?
Check the tyre pressure
Having your tyres inflated to the correct pressure is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to looking after your tyres and prolonging their lifespan. The recommended inflation pressure for your tyres is displayed on a placard – usually on the driver’s door pillar, and also in the owner’s manual. Correctly inflated flyers should ensure even wear across the tread, as one that is incorrectly inflated will wear unevenly. This will also ensure that you’re not driving with flat tyres. If you’re concerned that you may have a slow leaking tyre or would like your tyre pressure checked, simply drop into one of CMI Toyota’s Service Centres in Adelaide and our team will happily check your tyre pressure for you and inspect them for any leaks.
Rotating your car tyres
When it comes to the wear and tear on your tyres, your front ones will generally wear quicker than your rear ones. That’s why it is important to regularly rotate your tyres to ensure that the load is spread across the four. CMI Toyota’s Service team are able to rotate your tyres with ease during your next service – just ask next time you’re in.
Inspect your car tyres
Check over your car tyres at least once a month. Check the sidewall for any punctures or bumps and also the tread to ensure the tyre tread is wearing evenly. It is also extremely important to check your tyres, including the spare, before you go on a long road trip to keep everyone safe. By inspecting your spare tyre you are ensuring that if you do puncture a tyre, the spare tyre is in good condition and will be able to replace your flat tyre.
The CMI Toyota Tyre Shop team are available at all of CMI Toyota’s Service Centres, located in Adelaide, Cheltenham, Christies Beach and Stepney. If you have a flat tyre, need your tyre repaired or need new tyres fitted or aligned, our Tyre team are ready to assist. Or, if you just want your tyres inspected or need tyre care tips, please contact our team via the button below.
