Car Tyre Inspection: How to Keep Your Tyres in Optimal Condition

Ever since early humankind invented the wheel, people have been having to repair them. Until last year, I didn't know much about wheels. All that changed when I had to buy new wheels for my car. I took it to a tyre specialist who recommended the best type of tyre for my vehicle. However, while looking at my tyres, the mechanic also noticed that my wheels were misaligned. He realigned the wheels and fitted new tyres. He also took the time to explain the steps I could take to care for the tyres and wheels on my car. I hope you enjoy the blog.

Car Tyre Inspection: How to Keep Your Tyres in Optimal Condition

28 August 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Inspecting your vehicle tyres could be one of the most important checks that you perform. The four little patches of rubber are the only things that keep your car in contact with the road, and if they are not in good condition, your comfort will be affected. What's more, they are not cheap — getting new ones can set you back several dollars. For this reason, it is important to periodically run a health check and assess the condition of the tires. Doing so will enable you to carry out repairs on time and prevent irreversible or costly damage. Here are the top ways to inspect the wheels and keep them in optimal condition.

Visual Check

The visual check is by far the easiest test you can perform for your car tyres. It takes a few minutes and does not involve getting your hands dirty. Look at the sides of the wheels frequently and check whether there are any lumps or gashes. Their presence means that there is a structural defect which could be caused by hitting potholes, off-road driving or using weathered roads. Lumps can lead to premature failure of tyres in the form of a blowout. Make sure that you have them repaired immediately to avoid a roadside emergency.

Tread Depth Check

Tyre treads are designed to give vehicles good grip or traction on slippery or wet roads. However, the tread pattern wears over time, and this reduces the ability of the wheels to grip the road surface. This can make it difficult for you to brake, steer or accelerate. The Government of South Australia, for example, requires that tyres which are fitted to a vehicle and do not have wear indicators should have a tread pattern of at least 1.5mm deep on all parts.

You can carry out a tread depth check by using a depth measuring gauge. The device offers accurate and reliable measurements of the depth, and if it's below the required one, you should have the wheels replaced. Alternatively, you can look at the wear indicators which are located in the grooves of the tread pattern.

Rotate the Tyres

The uneven balance of the weight of the car and natural wear can cause your wheels to wear and tear at varying rates. Regularly rotating the wheels can even out the wear process and increase the durability of the wheels. Rotation patterns vary based on the vehicle's transmission; therefore, you should refer to your manufacturer's manual for the correct pattern. Also, the wheels should be serviced periodically following the patterns prescribed in the manual.

In addition to these tips, ensure that you check tyre pressure every month to enhance the vehicle's stability on the road. Under-inflated wheels reduce natural handling of the vehicle and increase the chances of accidents.