Did you know that the average life span of car tyres is 5 to 6 years or 40,000 to 80,000 km? Well! It’s the global number where the road conditions and driving styles are quite different compared to Pakistan. So here, the average life of car tyres in Pakistan can be between 3 to 5 years and 30,000 to 60,000 km.
The range is wider because several factors like driving habits, road conditions, wheel alignment, tire pressure, and many more affect the lifespan of tyres. So, if you want to extend the life of your car tyres, this tyre care guide can help you understand and maintain the tyres in a better way.
Let’s start the journey!
How to Read Tyre Size And Other Components
Checking the tyre size and its components is very important for everyone driving a car to ensure safety, understand the tyre capabilities, make informed decisions when replacing the tyres, and much more. The numbers and letters written on the side wall of the tyre show the width, aspect ratio, construction type, rim diameter, load index, speed rating, etc. Let’s see them here in detail.
Let’s take an example of the 255/55 R16 105V:
- 255: Width of tyre in millimetres (mm)
- 55: Aspect Ratio (means that the height of the tyre’s sidewall is 55% of its width)
- R16: Diameter of the tyre measured in inches
- 105: Load Index in kilograms (kgs) tells the load-bearing capacity (925kg in this case)
- V: Speed Rating that indicates the maximum speed a tyre can handle (240km/h in this case)
Load Index Table
| Load Index | Kilograms | Load Index | Kilograms | Load Index | Kilograms |
| 65 | 290 | 80 | 450 | 95 | 690 |
| 66 | 300 | 81 | 462 | 96 | 710 |
| 67 | 307 | 82 | 475 | 97 | 730 |
| 68 | 315 | 83 | 487 | 98 | 750 |
| 69 | 325 | 84 | 500 | 99 | 775 |
| 70 | 335 | 85 | 515 | 100 | 800 |
| 71 | 345 | 86 | 530 | 101 | 825 |
| 72 | 355 | 87 | 545 | 102 | 850 |
| 73 | 365 | 88 | 560 | 103 | 875 |
| 74 | 375 | 89 | 580 | 104 | 900 |
| 75 | 387 | 90 | 600 | 105 | 925 |
| 76 | 400 | 91 | 615 | 106 | 950 |
| 77 | 412 | 92 | 630 | 107 | 975 |
| 78 | 425 | 93 | 650 | 108 | 1000 |
| 79 | 437 | 94 | 670 |
Speed Rating Table
| Speed Symbol | Approx. MPH | Approx. KM/H |
| Q | 99 | 160 |
| R | 106 | 170 |
| S | 112 | 180 |
| T | 118 | 190 |
| H | 131 | 210 |
| V | 149 | 240 |
| VR | 131 | 210 |
| W | 168 | 270 |
| Y | 186 | 300 |
| ZR | 149 | 240 |
Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure
Improper tyre pressure is one of the key reasons behind premature wear. It can also adversely affect the vehicle’s performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. But what is the appropriate tyre pressure? Well, it’s the one mentioned in the vehicle manual. This information may also be written on the driver’s side door frame, inside the fuel door, in the glove box. After checking the recommended pressure, you need to maintain it in your car’s tyres.
How Often Should You Rotate the Tyres?
A very important practice to enhance the life of your vehicle’s tyres is to rotate them periodically, every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers is generally recommended. If you notice uneven wear before the recommended period, don’t wait! Rotate them as soon as you notice irregular wear. Rotating the tyre means changing its position on the vehicle, often swapping the front and rear tyres. Keep in mind that it’s only recommended for vehicles where all tyres are the same size and are not directional.
Benefits of Tyre Rotation
There are many benefits of tyre rotation. From even wear to better handling, all of them are worth noting. Here are some of the top benefits of tyre rotation.
- Even Tire Wear
- Extended Tire Lifespan
- Improved Fuel Efficiency
- Enhanced Vehicle Performance
- Better Stability
How to Check Tyre Life?
Did you know that around 70% of tyres have below 2mm depth, which is on the borderline (tyresafe.org)? That’s the reason checking the tyre life is very important. You can check the tyre’s life in the following ways:
Tread wear indicators: Some tyres come with wear indicators, i.e. raised bars or lines in the grooves. If you see the tread down to that level, it’s the right time to replace the tyres.
Tread Depth Gauge: Use a depth gauge or any other appropriate scale to measure the depth of the tread. If it’s below 2mm, try to get the tyres changed. In most countries, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle if the tread depth is 1.5mm or 1.6mm.
Visual Inspection: Inspect the tyres for cracks, bulges, or other signs of damage, especially on the sidewalls.
How to Check Tyre Manufacturing Date?
Checking the manufacturing date of any tyre is quite simple. There are some alphabets and numbers written on the tyre after a dot as shown in the picture. They are the manufacturing code of the tyre. The first two numbers represent the week of manufacturing, and the last two digits show the year of manufacturing. In the image, the 18 represents the 18th week, and 00 represents the year 2000. It means the tyre was manufactured in the 18th week of 2000.
Shelf Life of A Tyre
A tyre should not be used after 10 years, even if there are no signs of wear and tear as per Bridgestone. So, the general recommended shelf life of a tyre is up to 5 years if stored properly.
Replace the Tyres Appropriately
If you inspect that the tyres of your vehicle need replacement, there are some things you need to consider.
Why Tyres Burst?
According to research published in the Journal of Asian Development Studies, tire blowouts are one of the major reasons behind traffic accidents. As per the National Transport Research Centre, 7.4% of accidents happen due to a tyre burst, in accordance with major vehicle fitness and loading issues contributing to accidents.
But why do the tyres burst? Well, there can be multiple reasons behind it. Here are some of the common causes of the tyre burst:
- Using expired tyres
- Driving at higher than recommended speed
- High temperature
- Under and over pressure
- Overloading
- Potholes
Tips to Prevent Tyre Bursting
- Avoid Potholes
- Ensure proper tyre pressure
- Don’t use expired tyres (tread less than 2mm or touching 1.5mm)
- Avoid overloading
- Choose a reputed brand
Wheel Alignment
Did you know that misaligned wheels can make your tyres wear quickly than normal? If you are serious about tyre care, it is important to get your car wheels aligned regularly (if needed). The recommended frequency is 10,000 km or 6 months. But if you feel that your car is pulling to one side, there is uneven tire wear, the steering wheel is off-centre, or there is vibration in the steering wheel, don’t wait, get it checked right away.
Bonus Tyre Care Tips
Now you know most things about the tyres, I have some bonus tips for you to help you in tyre care:
- Timely checks to detect the problem an early stage
- Buy a tire pressure monitoring system
- Maintain good driving habits
- Period car inspections
- Avoid using different tyres on the same car
- Avoid using a different size than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended size
Final Verdict
In the end, tyre care is crucial for safety, performance, fuel efficiency, and proper handling. I have mentioned some tips along with other details about tyres to equip you with more information about the tyres.
Have you found this guide useful? Stay tuned for more informative blogs like this one.
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