What factors affect tyre longevity, and how can you tell when it is time to buy new tyres?

What factors affect tyre longevity, and how can you tell when it is time to buy new tyres?

Tyres are one of the most important components of your car, so it is essential that they are in good condition. The safety of the driver and passengers, fuel economy and driving enjoyment all depend on the quality and condition of the tyres. In this article, we will look at the factors that affect tyre longevity, as well as the signs indicating that it is time to buy a new set of tyres!

What factors affect tyre service life?

Tyres, like many other car products, are not eternal and will become old over time, even if you keep your car in a heated garage and hardly drive it. It is generally considered that the maximum service life of tyres is around 10 years from the date of manufacture; however, experts recommend paying particular attention to tyres that have been driven on for more than 5 years. Although the effects of time on tyres cannot be prevented, there are several prerequisites for proper tyre use that will help maintain their performance for as long as possible:

• Maintain consistent tyre pressure! Follow the markings specified by the manufacturer on the tyre sidewall, which indicate the optimum air pressure in bar (bar) or pounds per square inch (psi)! Frequent and drastic pressure changes, as well as driving with underinflated or overinflated tyres, will also have a negative effect on tyre longevity.

• Make sure the tyres and wheels are balanced! Wheel imbalance can be felt as vibrations through the steering wheel. Driving with such wheels is not only uncomfortable but also wears down the tyre tread more quickly. If you suspect that your tyres are unbalanced, book an appointment for wheel balancing as soon as possible!

• Avoid aggressive manoeuvres – an excessively aggressive driving style will significantly reduce tyre life.

• Check the wheel before fitting a new tyre! The life of a new tyre can be significantly shortened if it is fitted to a damaged wheel. Before installing new tyres, make sure that the inner rim is not bent and has no sharp edges or significant signs of corrosion!

• Avoid driving on poor roads! This is fairly self-evident, but potholes and poor road-surface quality are among the most common shorteners of tyre life. Sometimes, taking a route home that is a few kilometres longer but has a better road surface will be more economical in the long run!

When is a tyre no longer usable, and how can you tell?

Even if you follow the above and other guidelines for proper tyre use, the time will come when a tyre is no longer safe to use and must be replaced. Usually, however, motorists put this off until the last possible moment, so in the rest of the article we will list the signs indicating that a tyre is no longer fit for use!

Tread depth

The minimum permissible tread depth stipulated by national legislation is 1.6 mm for summer tyres and 4 mm for winter tyres. If it is below the permitted limit, not only is it prohibited to use such tyres on public roads, but driving with them, especially in poor conditions, can be dangerous for all road users!

Uneven tyre wear

Uneven tyre wear is caused by unbalanced wheels or a damaged car suspension. For example, if the outer edge of the tyre has the permitted tread depth but the inner edge is worn, the tyre must be replaced, because even partial tread wear means that its service life has ended!

Visible tyre damage

Check the visual condition of your tyres from time to time – there are signs that may indicate that the tyres are approaching the end of their life – bubble-like bulges on the tyre sidewall, also known as blisters, torn-out pieces of rubber, deep scratches and other visible damage. If you are not sure whether the damage is harmless from a safety perspective, consult a specialist – a sudden tyre blowout at high speeds can end badly.

Save time – buy tyres online!

When it is time to change your tyres, you no longer have to go to a shop or service centre – order them online! Find a particularly wide range of tyre manufacturers and models in the online shop www.1a.lv, where new summer and winter tyres are always available at the best prices!

Visit the site and see for yourself!