5 tyre warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

Cold mornings and wet roads aren’t gone yet. Here’s how to spot tyre trouble before winter ends.

Ensuring your tyres are in good shape is important all year round. But they may need a little extra attention in winter. While the year’s coldest days may be heating up, those late winter cold snaps, wet roads and early morning fog still pose real risks to tyre performance.

Addressing tyre issues early can not just save you money but keep you and your passengers safe when conditions are challenging.

How do you know if your tyres are in trouble? Here are five early warning signs to look out for to help you give your tyres one last check before spring sets in. 

1. Your tyre pressure in winter keeps dropping

Tyres naturally lose air over time – about 1 to 3 PSI a month. It’s important to keep an eye on your tyre pressure warning light, physically check your tyre pressure at least monthly, and adjust if needed.

If one of your tyres is losing pressure at a faster rate than the others, this may be a sign of a slow leak or damage. Take your car to a professional to have it checked out.

Tyres can lose even more pressure in winter. Every 5°C drop in temperature can result in a 2 per cent loss of pressure, making it even more important to check tyre pressures in the cooler months. Driving on tyres that are the wrong pressure can lead to more wear, increased fuel usage and worse handling, which is the last thing you want on slippery roads.

2. Your tyre tread is low – or tyre wear is uneven

Tyre tread refers to the patterned rubber on the outer surface of your tyre that grips the road and channels away water. Low tyre treads are dangerous – especially in wet, icy or snowy conditions. Fortunately, it’s easy to check your tyre tread with a 20-cent coin. Place a coin upright in a centre groove; if the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus on the coin, your tyre has less than 3mm of tread, and performance will be reduced, especially in the wet.

While you’re there, check for uneven wear. Different types of uneven wear can be caused by different issues. Wear on both outside edges, for example, can be a result of underinflation – perhaps due to cold weather. One-sided wear may indicate you need a wheel alignment.

3. You spot a bulge in a tyre sidewall

If you live in areas where winter-damaged roads are riddled with potholes, be alert – especially at the end of the season. Hitting potholes or kerbs can cause sidewall bulges, which could burst, and make you lose control of your vehicle. 

Sometimes you won’t see bulges because they’re on the inside of the tyre; if you feel unusual vibrations while driving, get your tyres checked promptly.

4. You notice steering wheel vibration or pulling

A shaking steering wheel, your car pulling to one side or your steering wheel sitting off-centre when you’re driving straight may be a sign that you need a wheel alignment.

Misaligned wheels – often a result of hitting a pothole or gutter – can lead to uneven tyre wear and reduced grip and handling. A wheel alignment technician can adjust your car’s suspension to align your car’s wheel to the car and to each other.

5. Your tyres are more than five years old

Age matters. As time goes by, cracks can form – in or out of sight – making your tyre a safety risk.

How do you know when a tyre was made? Find the 10- to 12-digit ID number on the sidewall and look at the last four digits. The first two digits indicate the week; the second two digits the year. For example, 0122 represents the first week of 2022.

Even if the tread looks okay, it’s important to get your tyres checked by an expert if they are more than five years old. Ten-year-old tyres should definitely be replaced.

Like all tyre issues, it’s something that should be dealt with as soon as possible. Safety always comes first on the road.

_Disclaimer
^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}