Tyre Care - Visual Tyre Care

By David Sholicar

By visually checking your tyres on a regular basis you can help maintain them in good condition throughout their service life and prevent having them changed unnecessarily or even failing prematurely.

Tyre

Check all tyres, including the spare, for these items:

Stones or Nails

If not removed when embedded in the tread, stones and nails can work into the casing and cause damage, possibly leading to deflation.

Oil, Fuel or Paint

Oil, fuel or paint can have a harmful effect on the rubber compound used in tyres. Oil can make the tread rubber swell, reducing the pattern grooves and affecting adhesion. Immediate removal with detergent and plenty of water is recommended.

Damage and Ageing

Damage in any form e.g. cuts, bulges, vibration or air loss must be examined immediately by a tyre specialist, as they could be signs of potential tyre failure.

Ageing, such as surface cracking or crazing in the sidewall area of the tyre, should also be examined by a tyre specialist as soon as is practical. Cracking and crazing occurs naturally through ozone damage and from over exposure of the tyre to the elements, especially sunshine. To reduce the effect, only wash tyre sidewalls when necessary and then just with water, or as little “car wash” as possible.

This advice applies equally to everyday vehicles as well as to un-run or little-used vehicles such as caravans or motor homes.

Tyre Service Life

Regular inspection by a tyre specialist is recommended and tyres which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. Tyres which have been in service for 10 years or more from the date of manufacture should be replaced.

For original equipment tyres, also refer to your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations.

Tyre Tread Wear

Tyre tread wear should be checked regularly. Abnormal wear is often an indication of a mechanical anomaly with the vehicle, such as incorrect alignment, or problems with the steering or suspension. Always have the mechanical parts of the vehicle checked and rectified by a professional.

We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre

Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.

Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.

The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered! Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.

Protyre offer Free Tyre Checks at all our garages, click the button below to book yours in today

We also offer a variety of other garage services including Wheel Alignment, Air-Con regas and Brake Inspection. Click the button below to view our full range.

If you are unsure about an issue you have with your tyres, then don't leave it, ask an expert. Vehicle Maintenance is imperative to your safety and the safety of others.

For further information please visit our tyre safe section.

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About the author

Article Author Photo
By David Sholicar
David is the National Retail Operations Manager for Protyre. One of David’s areas of responsibility and expertise is dealing with the DVSA and MOT’s for Protyre. As the Authorised Examiner Designate Manager ( AEDM ) David deals with applications for changes to the many Vehicle Testing Stations ( VTS’s) including managing the growth of the Number of MOT testing stations that Protyre operate, allocating MOT tester roles, and monitoring the MOT Test logs to ensure that Protyre MOT standards are maintained as the best in the industry.
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