To ensure that your car is as safe and efficient as possible on the road, it is important to take care of your tyres. We recommend checking them before each journey. We have put together some advice on how to complete these checks!
Tyres need replacing roughly every five years, however, should also be inspected by a professional at least once a year. BMWorx are always happy to help you with this. Michelin recommend replacing tyres after a maximum of ten years since manufacture date as a precaution, even if they have not had any visible issues. You can find the manufacturing date in the DOT code on your sidewall.
Check regularly for;
- Uneven tread wear
- Damaged or missing valve caps
- Tread under 1.6mm
- Damaged areas on the tyre
- Check tyre pressure
How do I look after my tyres properly?
Make sure that you are checking your tyre pressure regularly. This is important because your tyres are losing pressure each journey you make – especially if it is a longer trip. This also varies depending on temperature, so may need to be checked even more regularly in extreme weather conditions.
The law requires that your tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread depth. If you are driving with defective tyres, you could invalidate your insurance. You also risk a fine or penalty points.
Although not a legal requirement, you may like to look into seasonal tyres; for example using Winter tyres in extremely bad wet weather to improve road safety.
How do I check my tyre pressure?
Wait until tyres are cool so that the heat does not give you a false reading, then use a pressure gauge to determine your current tyre pressure. If you need to put more air into your tyres, go to your local garage or use an air compressor. Remember to re-check your tyre pressure with the gauge after, comparing it with your tyre’s psi or bar.
The recommended pressure settings are usually on a sticker inside the door or in your glovebox. If not, it will always be in your vehicle manual.
Although valve caps do not stop air escaping from your tyres, they should still be replaced when necessary as this stops dust, moisture or dirt getting into the valve. It is a good idea to keep spare valve caps in your vehicle, especially on longer journeys.
How do I check my tyre tread?
Check your tyre tread monthly to insure they are at a safe level for driving. Most tyres use a tread bar, which will allow you to see when your tread depth has gone beyond the safety limit. Also look to see if your tyres are wearing unevenly, this could indicate other problems and you should visit your local garage.
Have your tyres developed any blisters? If so, it is important to contact your garage as this can be very dangerous. If your tyres have a puncture larger than 0.64cm, you cannot repair this and will need to replace the tyres.
What about rotating my tyres?
Even out your tyre wear by moving them from front to back. BMWorx would be happy to help you / advise you with this. This is best done every 3-6000 miles. It is important to check tyre pressure after rotating as pressure requirements often differ from front to back.
What are the worst driving habits for tyre wear?
According to Michelin, the worse driving habits for tyre damage are;
- Speeding
- Quick starts
- Emergency breaking
- Driving on damaged roads
- Failure to notice a change in handling, noise, vibration
- Not consulting a professional when something changes
Can I replace just one tyre?
It is recommended that if a tyre needs replacing, you change them all at once. This ensures that the tyres are all the same size and match each other. Make sure that you don’t fit tyres with different speed ratings or if they are; they should always be installed with like pairs on the same axle. Also ensure that all replacement tyres have equal load-carrying capacities.
Contact us if you need any help checking your tyres!
Don’t forget to ensure that if you are carrying a spare tyre, that this tyre also meets all of these requirements. If you decide to keep an extra set of tyres, make sure that you are storing them in a cool, dark place. Protect them from oil and grease which may cause damage. You can store tyres laid flat or upright, this won’t matter to how they last.
When replacing tyres, always check your owner’s manual and follow the recommendations. If you are unsure, check with your local garage. BMWorx are always happy to help.
