Tyre Inspection and Replacement

How much do tyres cost?

Tyre prices vary, depending on the type of vehicle you have and the brand of tyre you're looking for.

Tyres for a small car can start at $80-$100 and go all the way up to $300 or more, and if you own an SUV or sports car, this can jump up to $700 and above per tyre.

As a rule, it's recommended you buy the best quality tyres you can afford, as tyres are the only direct contact your car has with the road.

Although the tyres on your vehicle are the main contact between you and the road, they are one of the most neglected items when it comes to vehicle maintenance.

Tyres wear down over time, but other issues with your vehicle may cause them to wear out faster or wear unevenly, costing you more money.

Having your tyres inspected regularly will ensure that your vehicle is safe for you, your family and other motorists.

Symptoms of worn or damaged tyres:

• Vibration through the steering wheel or body of the vehicle
• Increased stopping distance
• Decreased handling ability
• Screeching noise when cornering
• Diminished ride quality
• Steering wheel off centre, or vehicle pulling to one side

Common tyre issues

1. Incorrect tyre pressure

One of the most common reasons that tyres wear unevenly is incorrect tyre pressure. Over or under-inflating your tyres can have drastic effects on both wear rate and how your vehicle handles.

Overinflation of tyres causes the middle of the tyre to wear out faster and will make the ride more uncomfortable, as the tyre will not absorb much of the shock from bumps in the road.

Underinflation causes the shoulders of the tyre to wear quickly and will also affect the handling characteristics of the vehicle.

2. Damage to tread or sidewall

Hitting potholes at speed, running over debris on the road or running into curbs and gutters can all cause irreparable damage to your tyres.

If your tyres are damaged and you continue to drive on them, they may fail and cause an accident.

Having your tyres inspected at regular intervals, or after an impact, will ensure your tyres remain safe to drive on.

3. The car is out of alignment

If your tyres are wearing unevenly, and the pressures are good, it may indicate that there is a problem with your vehicle's alignment settings.

Manufacturers have specific alignment settings and failure to have your vehicle adjusted back to these settings regularly may affect the handling and life of your tyres.

Uneven tyre wear could also indicate a problem with the suspension system of your vehicle.

4. Excessively worn tyres

It's normal for tyres to wear down over time and it may just be that they're due for replacement.

If the tread is worn down below a certain level (the legal limit in most states is 1.5mm) it's time to have your tyres replaced.

If there is no tread left, or you see wires hanging from your tyres, it is time to replace them as soon as possible.

Need a tyre inspection?

Tyre experts on AutoGuru will inspect your tyres for tread depth and proper inflation, and check for any damage to the sidewall or tread, including punctures.

The wheels will be inspected for damage and the mechanic will also inspect the suspension system for wear.

The car will be road tested to check how the vehicle tracks on the road and to ensure the vehicle's steering wheel and alignment are centered.

Need your tyres repaired or replaced?

If the tyres are worn down excessively or there's irreparable damage to the tread or sidewall, the tyres will require replacing.

The old tyres will be removed from the wheel, a new tyre valve will be fitted and a new tyre will be refitted.

The wheel will then be balanced, to ensure that there will be no vibrations and the wheel will be refitted to the car.

A wheel alignment will be carried out if required, and a road test will confirm the repair has been completed successfully.

Why it’s important to have your tyres inspected or replaced

Having your tyres inspected and your suspension checked will ensure that your vehicle is in a safe condition for you, your family, and other motorists on the road.

Driving a vehicle with tyres that are below the legal limit, or that have sustained damage, can have adverse effects on the handling and stopping distance which may be the difference between having or avoiding an accident, especially in wet weather conditions.

If you notice any of these symptoms, have your vehicle inspected by one of AutoGuru's 2,000+ qualified mechanics, either at a local workshop or we can send a fully certified mobile mechanic to your home or office – Too Easy!