Tyres will always wear unevenly and at different rates. Those mounted on the drive axles would wear faster, while driving behaviour also impacts the wear patterns. For example, highways surfaces have a slight curve to allow water to run off. A lot of highway driving will result in the tyres wearing faster on one side.
Tyres can be easily inspected. A regular visual check, at the end of the week perhaps as a preparation for next week, can be carried out within a few moments time.
Tyres have build-in checking tools for the thread depth. Within the grooves, you will find ridges at regular spaces around the tyre. The hight of the ridge indicates both the legal and the safe thread depth for the tyre. Should the thread around that ridge wear to the point that it is level with the ridge, it is time to change the tyre. With consideration to the local climate, it is advisable to change the tyres earlier as the grooves are vital for water dissipation and torrential rains are commonplace in Malaysia.
If the threads are starting to crack, with small pieces missing, it is also time to replace the tyres. This can happen when the tyres are getting old and harden. Uneven wear is also visible and detecting it does not require any tools or equipment. Surfaces of the tyre visible when parking can and should also be inspected for any objects being stuck in the tyre or ledged inside the tracks. A nail, screw or other sharp object may puncture the tyre all the way through the rubber carcass, leading to deflation of the tyre. Should such puncture be detected, it should be addressed immediately. Tyre workshops may be able to repair such punctures, saving the tyre from becoming wasted.
While the visual inspection should happen in shorter intervals, the process of rotating the tyres does not have to happen very often. It is recommended to follow the same schedule as general inspections, i.e. around every 10 000 Kilometres. The colleagues at German Motors would use a hoist and powertools to make this easier, however, one perform this at home. What is important is that the tyres are swapped diagonally, meaning that the front left tyre and rear right trade places. This practice will ensure that the tyres would then wear out more evenly.
By maintaining consistent tread depth on all tires, you can ensure better traction and handling across the vehicle. Regular tire rotation can significantly extend the life of your tires, saving you money on replacements. You may consult with the German Motors crew if they recommend this to be done for your car. This is a quick job, which may save you some money though.
