All you need to know about worn-out tyre treads 29^th March 2023

Tyres are crucial to forming a bond between the ground and the vehicle. They bear the brunt of weather conditions such as rain, heat, snow, etc. However, taking care of your vehicle's tyres is crucial for your safety and high performance. While purchasing motor insurance India provides a safety net in case of accidents, one must always prudently pay attention to the proper maintenance of essential components.

All you have to do is thoroughly check the physical conditions of the tyres to identify the issues. This comprehensive guide will help you examine your tyre treads and offer care tips.

What are tyre treads?
Tyre treads are a collection of grooves that run around the exterior. They help maintain a good grip on the road and to maximise traction on wet roads by dispersing water out of the way. Tyre grooves are essential for vehicle performance and safety.

Why do tyre treads wear out?
A tyre is made of rubber compounds that wear down with time. These include temperature, climate, the vehicle's mechanical condition, the road surface's roughness, tyre pressure, maintenance, etc. When the tyre wears down, it reduces the tread depth, resulting in a lack of grip. Thus, worn-out impressions are unsafe for driving, and you must replace them to reduce the risk of accidents.

Why are worn-out tyre treads dangerous?
Vehicle tyres wear out over time and with regular usage, resulting in losing tyre traction. However, nothing is riskier than driving with worn-out tyres. Here are some reasons to help you understand the risk associated with worn tyres.

1. High probability of puncture
When a tyre is half worn out, it can easily be eroded and cause a puncture anytime. This is a high-risk factor, especially when running your car over sharp-edged debris. An unexpected flat tyre in the middle of a journey can cause a single-vehicle collision. As a precaution and to avoid financial worries related to accidents, always purchase motor insurance India.

2. Tyres can overheat
Worn-out tyres have minimal tread left, causing relatively more heat build-up than a tyre with a good tread depth.

3. Increased risk of tyre burst
The risk of sudden blow-out increases while driving without adequate tread depth. Insufficient treads accumulate heat due to constant friction, causing them to burst.

4. Risk of hydroplaning
Tyre treads are well-developed to prevent hydroplaning. However, half-worn grooves make water shifting from under the tyre difficult. This can result in the vehicle sliding through water and losing its traction.

Ways to check the tyre treads
Checking your vehicle's tyres can eliminate road accidents. Here are some steps to inspect your tyres:

1. Examine tread depth
Every vehicle tyre has a certain amount of tread depth after regular usage. Over time, imprints wear down to a minimum acceptable level. When you lose that depth of the tread, its stability and grip get compromised. You must ensure the tread depth is above 1.6 mm for safe driving.

2. Examine sidewall
The sidewall of the tyre is adjacent to the treads. Bend down to check the cracks and cuts at the sidewalls. Check for any bulges. They can be a sign of internal damage, and if you find any, replace your tyre immediately.

3. Examine for uneven wear
Uneven tyres can occur for various reasons, including careless driving, imbalanced wheels, problematic suspensions, etc. You can prevent uneven wear by routinely checking the tyres. Do not overlook any signs. If you feel something off while driving, visit your car's service centre or a local garage.

Besides daily car use, adverse and harsh weather conditions can degrade the tyre's quality, affecting its safety and performance. You must repair or replace your tyre immediately if you spot any issues. Remember to buy the best motor insurance India policy to shield you from damages caused to the car if it encounters any accident.

Click HERE to buy the best motor insurance India policy.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.