How often should I replace my tyres?
The short answer
When the tread is down to about 3 mm, when there’s damage, or when they’re 10 years old — whichever comes first. The legal limit is 1 mm, but wet grip drops off long before that.
How tread wears — and when to act
Drag to wear the tyre down.
Clears water well. Keep checking once a month.
The grooves pump water out from under the tyre. Less depth means less water cleared, and longer stops in the wet.
+8 mto stop
In wet-road tests at 80 km/h, tyres worn to 1.6 mm needed about 8 m more to stop than tyres at 3 mm. That’s roughly two car lengths.
Independent MIRA wet-braking tests (UK).
Replace your tyres when…
Tread hits 3 mm
Best for wet grip. The legal limit in South Africa is 1 mm.
It’s level with the wear bars
Small bars inside the grooves show when you’re down to 1.6 mm.
You see a bulge, cut or crack
Sidewall damage can’t be repaired and can fail suddenly.
They’re 10 years old
Rubber hardens with age — even on a spare that’s never been used.
How old are your tyres?
The first two digits are the week, the last two the year. So 2319 = week 23 of 2019.
Check once a month for
- Tread depth — are you near the wear bars?
- Cuts, bulges or cracks in the sidewall
- Uneven wear on one edge or in patches
- Nails, screws or stones stuck in the tread
Myth
If it’s legal, it’s safe.
Fact
The legal minimum is 1 mm, but wet grip drops off long before that. Around 3 mm is the sweet spot between getting your money’s worth and staying safe.
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