Checking your tyre tread?

What is treadwear?

When we initially look at tyres, the pattern or the design on the tyre surface is a unique tread. That tread has been designed for different and/or multi-purposes when you commute on the different roads and in different conditions, especially in Canada.

To better understand, here are the 3 key components of tyre tread:

Treadwear: This is the only part that touches the surface of the road.

Grooves: This part will help when you drive in different road conditions e.g. wet surfaces or mud.

Lugs: This part helps traction control.

How to initially check your tyre condition?

The tyre lifespan relies on your driving style and the maintenance frequency. However, the tread will ultimately be worn, and the tyre will need to be replaced. The details below describe how you can initially check your tyres condition;

1. Tread Depth – You can check your tyres condition through tread depth. If the tread depth is only 1.6 mm, we recommend you change your tyres. To check the tread depth, you must follow the steps below;

1.1 Look for the triangle sign on the tyre shoulder, there’s a tread depth indicator in the grooves. This indicator will help you calculate the depth of the tread.

Some levels of tread depth are more likely to affect braking performances. The figures below illustrate different performances and different tread depths;

2. Bulge Tyre - if you have noticed abnormal conditions on the tyre, e.g. bulge on either sidewall or shoulder, we would suggest you stop driving as the tyre may blow out.

3. Cut on Tyre - please be careful when you are driving, as the tyres are likely to be punctured when going over potholes, especially after Canadian winters. You have to make sure that the puncture tyres are repaired properly.

4. Tyre Texture - You can easily test your tyres’ condition by pressing with your fingers. If the texture is getting harder and there is no flexibility, you should be thinking about replacing your tyres.