When and how often to replace your tyres

Your tyres are what your car depends on when it comes to safety, fuel efficiency, and handling, especially on Singapore’s hot and rain-soaked roads.

Our island’s climate—consistently hot, humid, and punctuated by sudden downpours—can accelerate tyre wear more than you might think. Combine that with constant start-stop city traffic and it’s no surprise that many tyres wear out faster than expected.

Timely replacement isn’t just about avoiding the inconvenience of a flat. More regular replacements may add to your car ownership costs, but they’ll help prevent accidents, reduce hydroplaning during wet weather, and even improve your fuel economy.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to look out for: Tread depth, tyre age, driving habits, and more, all tailored for driving conditions in Singapore.

Tread depth refers to the vertical measurement between the top of your tyre’s rubber and the deepest grooves. It matters because those grooves help your car grip the road, particularly during rainstorms when water needs to be pushed out from under the tyre to prevent skidding.

In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) mandates a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Anything less is not just illegal—it’s very dangerous.

Here’s how to check tread depth:

• You can do a quick DIY check using the $1 coin test recommended by Bridgestone Singapore: Insert a $1 coin into the tyre groove with the word "SINGAPORE" facing down. If the word "SINGAPORE" is fully visible, your tread depth is likely below the legal limit, and it's time to replace your tyres.

• Most tyres also come with tread wear indicators. These are the small raised bars in the grooves. Once your tread wears down to match the height of those bars, the tire is no longer safe for wet conditions. Make sure to check these regularly.

• Lastly, you can also use a tread depth gauge, a handy tool that measures how much tread is left on your tyres. They are inexpensive and available at most automotive stores. These gauges typically measure in 32nds of an inch or millimeters, providing an accurate reading of your tyre's tread depth

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Even if your tyres still have good tread, they aren’t immune to aging. Tyre manufacturers recommend replacing tyres every six years, and definitely no later than ten, regardless of how they look.

Rubber naturally degrades over time, and this process speeds up under Singapore’s relentless sun and humidity. You might notice cracks in the sidewalls or hardened rubber, especially in tyres that have spent years exposed to daily traffic and heat.

To check your tyre’s age, look for the DOT code on the sidewall. It ends with a four-digit number like “3019,” which means the tyre was manufactured in the 30th week of 2019. If your tyres are nearing six years or older, it’s time to plan for a replacement.

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Rotating your tyres helps them wear out evenly, extending their lifespan and saving you money in the long run. It’s typically done every 10,000 km or during regular servicing.

Tyres wear differently depending on whether they’re on the front or back of your car, and rotating them ensures you’re not overusing just one set.

Alignment is another key factor. Hitting curbs or potholes (common in city driving) can throw your wheels out of alignment, causing uneven wear. If left unchecked, this can shorten your tyres’ lifespan significantly and even affect steering safety.

How you drive matters. Aggressive driving like sudden acceleration, hard braking, and sharp cornering, can chew through tyre rubber much faster.

Another overlooked factor is how much weight your car carries. Overloading puts extra strain on tyres, leading to overheating, faster tread wear, and even blowouts in extreme cases. Always check your car’s recommended load capacity, especially before road trips or when carrying bulky cargo.

It’s not always obvious when tyres need replacing, but there are a few signs you shouldn’t ignore, especially given Singapore’s weather conditions.

Look out for:

• Cracks, bulges, or cuts on the sidewalls. These are common in older tyres exposed to intense heat and are a red flag for potential blowouts.
  
  

• Frequent air pressure loss. This could indicate punctures, faulty valves, or slow leaks. If you’re topping up air more than once a month, get it checked.
  
  

• Car pulling to one side. This might mean uneven wear or alignment issues. This affects handling and can make your drive unsafe.
  
  

• Longer braking distance in wet conditions is a big one. This is especially so in Singapore’s rainy season. It often means your tread depth isn’t sufficient for water dispersion.

• Unusual vibration or noise while driving. This could be a sign of internal tyre damage or balance issues.

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