Five Warning Signs That Your Car’s Tyres Need Replacing

As spring rolls in, so too does the dramatic changes in weather conditions. From torrential rain to crisp, clear sunny days. All of this causes serious wear and tear on the nation’s roads.
This is bad news for your car tyres, which are subject to all manner of rough and tumble from loose stones, potholes and cracked patchy roads.

This constant barrage of conditions is certain to take its toll on your tyres, wearing away at the and eventually offering you much less grip.

To make sure you notice it’s time for a change before you put you and your vehicle at risk of an accident, here are our five warning signs they need replacing.

Tread Depth

One of the more obvious signs your tyres need replacing is the reduction in the tread. Much like feeling a little slippy underfoot when wearing some old trainers, the tread is the clear indicator your grip won’t be what it once was.

Something which we are all told during the process of learning to drive (but forget instantly) is that as a legal requirement all passenger vehicles should have at least 1.6mm “throughout a continuous band in the centre ¾ of the tread and around the entire circumference.” (from the AA)

Obviously measuring this is very difficult, but thankfully tyres have an inbuilt marker to warn you when they are too low. This appears as an indent or line running horizontally across the middle of the tread only once they are worn down considerably.

If you want to keep on top of your tread depth so that you don’t push your tyre limits too far, you can always get a tread depth indicator or simply take a 20p, place in the main tread groove and if the outer ring of the coin isn’t visible, your tread is ok.

Too many vibrations

It’s only natural to feel a certain amount of vibration from the road whilst driving, especially on those rough B-roads.

However, you will know something isn’t quite right if you pull off the nasty B road and onto a freshly laid, smooth motorway only to find the same amount of vibration rattling through your car.

While this could be down to any number of faults including wheel alignment or faulty shock absorbers, it could also be signs of a well-worn tyre.

If its none of the above, it could be a problem within the wheel itself, which in time will harm the tyre anyway, so as soon as you notice any unusual vibrating, it’s best to get it checked out.

If it does turn out to be something else, remember to check our range of genuine Honda parts for a replacement if there is any lasting damage to your Honda. We stock a wide range of parts and accessories, including Honda Civic parts and Honda Jazz accessories.

Cracks In The Sidewall

Cracks in the sidewall begin to develop in even the more expensive tyres over time because the oils and chemicals in the rubber compound evaporate or break down due to UV light exposure.

A crack in the sidewall could result in the tread separating easier or worse in a blow out, something which you are really going to want to avoid.

If something more obvious appears like a clear crack or blister, get it changed as soon as possible because it is likely you are close to having a blowout, which of course can be very dangerous.

Thankfully cracks are the easiest thing to spot as the sidewall is obviously the most visible part of the tire, just make sure you check regularly.

Strange Noises

We all get used to the hum and purr of our car’s engines and tires vibrating along the road, so when there is a sound out of the ordinary, you are likely to notice it quickly.

When tyres are beginning to crack or may have taken on a puncture, they can sometimes whine or squeak as the air compression changes.

If you hear anything strange when you are next out driving, it’s worth pulling over for a routine check of the car, not just the tyres.

If the tyres are ok but it continues, at least you have ruled out a flat tyre, and you can try and focus in on what else it might be.

Tyre Lifespan

Like any part of your car, tyres have a life span which if bought from new, will last roughly five years. After this time the rubber compound will start to come apart, leaving them more susceptible to cracks, blisters and blow outs.

Wear and tear can’t promise this life span, but if yours manage to last this long, you might want to consider getting them replaced to ensure you have the best grip you possibly can.

So if you weren’t entirely sure, you should now be able to effectively check your car tyres and keep your car tightly gripped to any roads to the best of your cars ability. It’s a good idea to make sure you have a spare wheel in your vehicle in case you have an emergency. Cox Motor Parts supply a range of spare wheels and tyres including Honda Civic spare wheels.