Tyre Maintenance to Extend the Life of Your Wheels

Preventative maintenance is essential for ensuring your vehicle is as safe as possible.

Regular inspections at a reputable car service centre can also help save you money in the long run, as your vehicle is less likely to suffer major breakdowns or failures if it is properly maintained.

One of the most important parts in your maintenance schedule should be checking and protecting your car's tyres from ageing.

Follow this comprehensive guide to find out how to extend the life of your tyres and make sure your vehicle is as safe as possible.

WHAT IS TYRE AGEING?

Quite simply, tyre ageing is when the structural integrity of your car's tyres deteriorate over time. This leaves them more susceptible to failure leading to inconvenience, repairs or potentially even an accident.

WHAT CAUSES TYRE AGEING?

Usually, tyre degradation is due to the chemical reaction that occurs within rubber components which can be accelerated by exposure to heat and sunlight. Research suggest tyres age more quickly in warmer climates with higher ambient temperatures.

Poor storage or infrequent use can also increase the rate of ageing. It is more common to find on cars that are only driven occasionally as the tyres on regularly driven cars will often wear out and replaced before ageing becomes a major safety concern.

With this in mind, it makes sense that spare tyres stored in vehicles are particularly prone to ageing problems as they rarely experience use and are often overlooked when it's time to replace the tyres.

Even if the tyre looks like it has good tread, the internal structure could be damaged, so make a habit of replacing your spare tyre each time you replace your road-running tyres.

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE AGE OF A TYRE?

Tyres should feature a tyre identification number (TIN) that displays the date of its manufacture. The last three or four digits indicated the week and year that the tyre was made.

IF THERE IS NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE, HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

Tyre ageing all depends on environmental factors. Many tyre manufacturers warrant their tyres against defects for five years from the date of manufacture and many advise against using tyres that are more than six years old.

In terms of mileage, many modern-day tyres are able to get over 120,000 kilometres in travel distance depending on the environmental and driving factors.

WHAT IS THE TYRE AGEING PROCESS LIKE?

One result of ageing is the rubber of the tyre becoming increasingly brittle. This is due to the vulcanisation of sulphur and rubber molecules with heat and pressure causing the rubber to stiffen over time.

Another process of tyre ageing is from oxygen and ozone in the air which affects the rubbers elasticity and strength as well as impacting the integrity of the rubber and steel bond. Breakdown of this bond is also caused by water permeating through the rubber and bonding with the brass coating on steel belts. This weakens the bond and reduces the tyre's strength and heat resistance.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT TYRE AGEING?

When checking and maintaining your tyre's air pressure, make sure the compressed air is completely dry. Check your tyre sidewalls for sign of cracking as exposure to harsh weather conditions can increase the rate of ageing. This is particularly important for tyres over four years old and those that are often parked outside in the elements.

It's also recommended to replace your spare tyre when swapping your road-going tyres. If you suspect your tyres may be ageing more rapidly than anticipated, it is always a good idea to take them to a reputable car servicing centre such as Motorama Tyre and Service Centre to have a professional diagnose if there's an issue with them.