Just how do you know when your tyres need to be changed

There are indicators to look for and should get your attention so that you know when to replace the tyres on your car.

The following is a checklist of signs to look for:

- If you discover cracks in your tyres they should be replaced as soon as possible.

- Tyres that are aged can harden over time and this would cause your car to slip on certain types of road and cause an mishap.

- It is possible to buy tyres with retreads but be aware that retreaded tyres lack the stability and security of new. So purchasing because they are cheap is not always the soundest. You may realize that the effectiveness of your car is impaired, particularly in bad weather and is not clentching the road as well as it ought to.

- The tread on your tyres is worn below the lawful minimum limit of 1.6mm.

- If the tread of the tyre is worn down the middle of the tyre this may be because at some point the tyres have been over inflated.

- Wear on the exterior sides, sometimes caused by under inflating your tyres should also be replaced as it causes difficulties on the interior liner as well.

- Damage can sometimes be brought on to a tyre resulting in a bulge, often referred to as an egg in the tyre.

- There may be slices in the tyres typically caused by pointed objects.

- There may be areas of the tyre with no tread at all, this would be brought on by emergency braking, sometimes also causing the tyre to deflate.

- There may be wear on the exterior edge of the tyre caused by extreme tyre camber.

- If the edge of the tread has been worn bit by bit from one side to the other, this may be caused by the front wheels being out of position.

- It is unavoidable that at times pointed objects go into tyres, more often than not nails. This too would be time for a tyre to be changed particularly if there is a hissing noise coming from it when you try to pull it out. It is best to push the nail back in at this point and go and get it looked at asap.

Tyres should be checked once a week, to make sure that they are well maintained giving them a lengthier life.