Why are car tyres so important?
Safety on the road begins with your tyres. As the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, your tyres are a critical part of keeping you, your passengers and other road users safe.
No matter what’s going on with the other components of your vehicle, if your tyres are not serviced regularly and looked after properly, your vehicle won’t operate as safely and as efficiently as possible.
How often should I replace my car tyres?
There is no clear answer to this because it depends largely on the existing condition of your tyres, your driving habits, road conditions, climate, and how well you look after your vehicle.
If, however, you’ve purchased a used vehicle, we recommend you have a trained mechanic assess the condition of the tyres and whether they need a car tyre service.
How long do car tyres last?
The best way to get the most life from your tyres is to have them regularly checked, maintained and rotated. Regular vehicle servicing will also help keep your tyres in good condition for longer.
Car tyre puncture repair
Most drivers in NZ will have a spare tyre stored in the car just in case they get a puncture or flat tyre that needs changing. Unfortunately, a large percentage of drivers don’t know how or don’t feel confident changing a tyre.
This is where it’s a good idea to also have a car tyre puncture repair kit in the boot. In case you get a puncture, not a flat, you may be able to repair it temporarily until you can book an appointment to have your mechanic take a look.
A car tyre puncture repair kit will usually consist of expanding foam that you squeeze into the punctured tyre through the valve. The foam plugs the puncture temporarily until you can have it properly repaired or changed.
You should note that you will be restricted on the speed you can drive and the distance you can drive with a tyre that has foam used in it. It’s not meant to be a permanent fix – it’s just meant to last until you can safely take your car to the mechanic.
A car tyre puncture repair kit may also contain patches in different sizes that you can use to temporarily plug the puncture and stop any more air from escaping. Again, it’s important that you get your vehicle safely to the mechanic to have the tyre repaired or changed.
What is the minimum tread depth required for car tyres?
All vehicles on the road in NZ must meet New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi requirements. The current requirement for tyre tread depth is a minimum of 1.5mm. We strongly advise you have an experienced panel beater like the team at Mt Roskill Collision Centre check this for you.
What is the optimal tyre pressure?
The reason we talk about optimal tyre pressure is because it varies for different makes and models of cars. Having the correct tyre pressure will help you get the best performance out of your vehicle, which will in turn help ensure that the other parts and components operate safely for as long as possible.
Correct tyre pressure enables you to get the best mileage out of your fuel use. It ensures your vehicle will grip the road and keep you safe when needed. And it means you won’t wear your tyre tread down faster than intended.
Tyre pressure based on car type
To find the tyre pressure recommended for your car type, consult the owner’s manual. If you don’t have the manual, the recommended tyre pressure should be listed on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s side door. If for some reason it’s not listed there, it may be listed on the inside of the petrol tank flap.
Tyre sizes by car model
The owner’s manual, again, is the best place for any information about your car and your specific model. There may be multiple tyre sizes that work for your car model, and you may even notice that the front and rear tyres may be different sizes.
To figure out what size tyres are currently on your car, you’ll need to understand how to read the markings on your tyres. The numbers listed on the tyre itself will be a sequence of numbers that refer to its tyre size, load index and speed rating.
The first three digits refer to the tyre width in millimetres. The second two digits refer to the tyre’s aspect ratio (the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tyre width).
Servicing your car tyres
At Mt Roskill Collision Centre we offer a full range of car tyre service packages. We recommend our Car Tyre Care Package which is available for $165. It includes:
- Adjust tyre pressure
- Wheel balance all four wheels
- Tyre rotation (if required)
- Wheel Alignment (will include final report)
The best thing to do if you need any help with your tyres is to get in touch with the experienced team at Mt Roskill Collision Centre.
For more information about any of our tyre services, get in touch with the friendly team by calling 0800 227 762 or email [email protected] for professional and friendly car servicing advice.