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As the only contact patch with the road, tyres are something you should take great care of to avoid premature failure and to ensure optimum performance at all times. Here’s some of the things you should be looking out for:

Abnormal tread wear

This is one of the most common causes of tyre failure and is usually caused by incorrect suspension geometry (especially if the car has been lowered from standard) or brake failures. It can also be caused by simple mistakes such as under- or over-inflating the tyres.

Sidewall damage

Tears, cuts, bubbles, and other damages to the sidewall area are potentially very dangerous. If spotted you should replace the tyre immediately. Typical causes of cuts and tears are hazards in the road, while bubbles and scrapes to the sidewall can be caused by impact damage from potholes and kerbs.

Tyre separations

Separation of the tyre construction is not that common, thankfully, but can be a difficult one to spot. Bulges in the sidewall, tread face, or shoulder of the tyre are the usual indications a tyre has started to separate. Typical causes include excessive heat build up as a result of under- or over-inflation, or water entering the tyre carcass from a cut or tear already inflicted on the tyre.

Bead damage

This one is quite rare, but is still one to be aware of. It’s usually caused by incorrect fitment, either to the wrong wheel for the tyre or just simply by bad fitting methods.The metal bead can bend or in some cases actually be broken, which can then lead to sidewall damage such as tears or deformity.

“ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR IS COMMON, AND CAN BE CAUSED BY OVER OR UNDERINFLATION, OR EVEN INCORRECT SUSPENSION GEOMETRY”