Many things impact how long your tyres remain safe and reliable – kilometres driven, road conditions, driving style, maintenance habits, and age all play a part.
Worn vs. Aged
Tyres naturally wear out the more they are driven, and worn-out tyres provide reduced traction compared to those with adequate tread, especially in adverse weather conditions. Most drivers understand worn-out tyres (remaining tread depth at or below 2/32”) should be removed from their vehicle.
Many drivers are not aware that minimally used tyres, like the ones on recreational vehicles, collectable cars, or even spare tyres, tend to experience ageing instead of wearing, due to a lack of driving. An aged tyre has a substantial amount of tread; however, the structural integrity of the tyre is weaker because the tyre needs to be driven for the chemicals in the rubber to remain effective.
Here’s a quick checklist to spot age-related issues on your tyres:
- Check sidewalls for cracks, splits, or odd discolouration.
- Look for stiffness, brittleness, or signs of “dry rot.”
- Compare often-used and rarely-used tyres for differences.
- If any tyre is older than 6 years and shows signs of ageing, ask a tyre expert.
Curbs, Potholes, and Other Hazards
Running into curbs or rough roads (potholes, broken pavement, bumpy tracks, dirt roads) can knock your wheels out of alignment and damage suspension, leading to faster tyre wear. If you face these obstacles regularly, make quarterly suspension, alignment, and tyre checks part of your routine.
Poor Driving Habits
Hard cornering, quick starts, and sudden stops put extra strain on tyres, wearing them down faster. You’ll get more kilometres—and keep safe for longer—by adopting smoother driving habits.
Neglected Maintenance
It is important to regularly have tyres checked for damage, to maintain air pressure levels, and to keep tyres aligned and rotated. Without proper maintenance, tyre life can be reduced by as much as half in some cases.
Neglected Maintenance
Pop into any TyreZim branch to speak to our tyre experts about your tyres.
