The Signs You Need New Tyres

One of the things we’re most often asked at Drury Tyres is – how do I know I need new tyres? You might think it’s a question with just one answer – that answer being, check your tread depth and you’ll know! Tread is one thing to check, of course, but it’s not the only thing. Here are a few other signs that suggest you may need to replace your tyres with new ones:

• If you notice strange vibrations while travelling on perfectly smooth roads then it could be down to any number of reasons including poor wheel alignment, faulty shock absorbers, or a problem with one of your tyres. Whatever the reason, see us as soon as you can.
• Cracks in the sidewall might not be readily apparent as most of us don’t make close-up inspections of our tyres.  They develop over time as oils and chemicals in the rubber compound evaporate or break down due to excessive UV exposure. A crack in the sidewall could result in the tread separating or a blowout. If a clear crack or blister appears, change the tyre as soon as you can.
• Sometimes it is what you hear and now what you see that tells you that new tyres are required. Strange noises, like squeaks or whining sounds that you’re not used to hearing, are an indication that something is not right with your tyres, or in other parts of your vehicle. If you hear anything untoward, a visit to us should be on the cards.
• Tyres don’t age as well as you might think. Anything over five years needs to be checked at least once a year, even if there are no telltale signs that something is wrong. And if your tyres are over 10 years old? Replace them straight away!

As we said earlier, the tread is an obvious sign you need new tyres. By law, there must be 1.5mm of tread around the circumference of the tyre and across three-quarters of the width. One way to test the depth of the tread is to grab a 20 cent coin; the bottom of the “20” is about 2 mm from the edge of the coin. With the number facing towards you, put the coin into the tread and if the “20” is partly concealed, you know the tread of your tyre is within the legal guidelines.

However, if you can read the whole number then your tread is probably not deep enough. This nifty trick should be treated as a guide only – for the official verdict, and for any new tyres you may need, contact us. We’ll have something in our range to suit your vehicle and budget.