It’s often said that tyres are the most crucial part of a car because they’re the only things touching the road. It’s almost cliché – but it’s still true. Keeping them in good shape is a non-negotiable. But how do you know when to change your VW’s tyres?
Driving on worn tyres could mean an MOT failure, premature costs and severe safety risks. Fortunately, with a little knowledge under your belt and proper care, you can do a number of things to keep your Volkswagen’s tyres in top condition. Here’s what you need to know.
What affects tyre wear on your VW?
Your driving style directly impacts how quickly your tyres wear. The general rule is that aggressive driving speeds up wear and tear. Aggressive driving is basically how hard you press the pedals and how forcefully you turn the steering wheel or change gear. In contrast, a gentler, smoother driving style helps extend tyre life.
Certain roads and road conditions put excess wear on your tyres. Obvious examples include roads filled with potholes. In fact, we have such a problem with potholes that adding up all the UK’s potholes into one would form a single pothole of 295 square miles. Yep! However, generally uneven, hilly or rough roads, along with those covered with sharp debris (nails, screws, glass etc) or speed bumps, also put a strain on your treads and your tyres’ structural integrity.
Not all tyres are made equal, as the various price tags associated with premium brands like Michelin, Continental, Pirelli and so on suggest. Now, not all drivers require the most expensive tyre. In fact, for most people, mid-range options deliver just as good value for money. However, premium tyres generally last longer and offer superior performance in all conditions. On the flip side, cheaper alternatives wear down faster and are far less safe. This usually makes budget tyre options worse value for money over time. If you’re unsure about which tyres are best for your VW, Sunset VW will help guide you through your choices.
In general, the more stress your tyres go through, the more they’ll wear. For example, lots of turning (like at T-junctions and roundabouts) puts stress across the tyre tread. Hard acceleration (such as turning onto a dual carriageway) also strains the rubber but in a slightly different way. There isn’t much you can do about your regular journeys, although it may be possible to make a few route alterations here and there. For example, travelling an extra minute might be worth it to avoid potholes or excessive speed bumps.
Tyre rotation, inflation and other tips
Here’s a quick list of things you should check on your vehicle regularly. We recommend a quick once-over every two weeks:
- Tyre pressures – you’ll find the recommended psi on the driver’s door jamb or in your owner’s manual. Check your tyres by removing the valve cap and pressing a tyre pressure gauge against the valve. Use a tyre inflator (always valuable in your car) to inflate the tyres to the recommended pressure if necessary.
- Tread depth – the legal limit of tyre tread depths in the UK is 1.6mm. However, we strongly recommend replacing your tyres once they hit 3mm tread depth. Measure your tread depth using a tread depth gauge, checking different points across the tyres to spot any uneven wear.
- Uneven wear – speaking of uneven wear, sometimes it’s incredibly obvious, even to the naked eye. You might notice irregular patterns like spotting, wear down one or both sides, or wear in the centre. Any sign of uneven wear should warrant a trip to your trusted mechanic for further inspection.
- Puncture checks – sometimes, tyres pick up foreign objects that stay embedded. For example, a screw might puncture the outer rubber but then plug the hole, temporarily sealing the tyre or creating a barely-noticeable slow puncture. Shine a torch over your tyre tread to spot any metal or glass foreign bodies that shouldn’t be there. If you spot one, take your car straight to a mechanic for a puncture repair.
- Bulges or cracks – inspect the tyre sidewall. Watch out for bulges, tears and excessive cracks in the rubber. Bulges mean the tyre has lost its structural integrity and could blow out at any moment. Tears and cracking may also indicate structural problems, especially if you can see the metal wires underneath. If you notice any of these, get a mechanic’s advice immediately.
- Balancing and tracking – you’ll need your mechanic for these jobs, but don’t put them off. Wheel balancing ensures your wheels rotate without wobbling. Imbalanced wheels lead to reduced traction, uneven wear and an unpleasant vibration at around 60 mph or more. Tracking (also known as alignment) ensures your tyres are pointing straight ahead to manufacturer recommendations and tolerances. Misaligned wheels create a distinctive wear pattern (a stripe down one side), and you’ll feel the vehicle pulling to the side when you try to drive straight.
Spending just a few minutes checking your tyres’ condition every couple of weeks could prevent costly repairs or serious safety issues.
How often should you change your VW’s tyres?
In general, expect tyres to last about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. That’s a generalisation, though, and there’s no set rule. Every tyre comes with its own ratings, weather and speed tolerances, manufacturing processes, manufacturing defects and so on. Then, your car and how you drive also make a huge difference (as discussed above).
The average British driver drives only about 7,400 miles per year. However, most commuters and daily drivers easily cover between 10,000 and 20,000 miles each year. That means that, depending on your circumstances, you should expect to need new tyres between every two years (if you drive a lot) and every four or five years (if you don’t drive as much).
Of course, as this article has explained, there are multiple factors that impact these numbers – and that’s also assuming that you don’t get an irreparable puncture. The best way to know when it’s time for new tyres is through regular maintenance and trusted servicing from your local VW specialists.
Sunset VW is proud to service Derby and the surrounding Midlands area. We’ve established ourselves as the family-friendly face of servicing for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda models over our forty years in business. If you’re in need of a tyre check-up or an entirely new set, our dedicated shop can help. Reach out to us today to book your VW tyre appointment.