Tyres are the only part of the car touching the road. Heat, sunlight and long periods parked outdoors all affect how they wear and age.
Check pressures when the tyres are cold
Use the pressures in your handbook or on the sticker inside the driver’s door, and check them before a drive rather than after.
Tread and wear
Look for wear across the whole width of the tyre. Wear on one edge often means the wheels need aligning.
Age matters, not just tread
Rubber hardens and cracks with age, especially in strong sun. The sidewall shows when the tyre was made; ask a tyre specialist whether older tyres should be replaced.
Don’t forget the spare
Check the spare or the repair kit, and make sure you know where the locking wheel nut key is kept.
