How To Check Your Tyres At Home: A Step-By-Step Guide For Albury Drivers

Tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, so their condition plays a major role in your safety, fuel economy and overall driving comfort. While professional servicing remains essential, there’s a lot you can do at home to stay on top of basic tyre care.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple, practical steps you can take to check your tyres in Albury between visits to Tyre Master Albury—no workshop tools required.

A quick walk-around can reveal a lot about your tyres’ health. Look for:

• Cracks or cuts in the sidewalls
• Bulges or bubbles, which can signal internal damage
• Embedded objects, like nails or stones
• Uneven tread wear, which may point to alignment or suspension issues

It’s best to perform this check in daylight or under bright lighting, and to turn the steering wheel slightly left and right so you can inspect the inner tyre walls as well. If you notice any deep cuts, deformities or exposed wires, it’s time to book a replacement.

Tread depth is crucial for grip—especially in wet conditions. In Australia, the legal minimum is 1.5 mm, but it’s wise to replace tyres once they reach around 3 mm to maintain braking performance.

To test your tread depth:

• Use a tread gauge (available at most service stations), or
• Try the 20-cent coin test: insert the coin into the tread with the platypus bill facing down. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill, it’s time to replace your tyres.

Even wear across all tyres is ideal. If one or two tyres look more worn than the others, your vehicle may need a tyre rotation and balance to even things out.

Tyre pressure affects everything from fuel efficiency to handling. Under-inflated tyres can wear out faster and use more fuel, while over-inflated tyres can reduce traction and comfort.

Here’s how to check:

• Visit your local service station & use the air hose gauge
• Compare the pressure reading to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (usually listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in the owner’s manual)
• Inflate or deflate as needed

Check all four tyres—and don’t forget the spare. Tyre pressures can change with temperature, so it’s best to check monthly and before long trips.

Uneven wear is one of the most common indicators that your tyres or vehicle setup needs attention. Look for:

• Centre wear: Usually from over-inflation
• Edge wear: Often caused by under-inflation
• One-sided wear: Typically from poor wheel alignment.
• Feathering or cupping: Could mean worn suspension components.

Addressing these issues early helps extend the life of your tyres and keeps your vehicle tracking straight on the road. A professional inspection and tyre rotation and balance service can correct most uneven wear patterns before they worsen.

Even if your car doesn’t see a lot of kilometres, tyres naturally age over time. Exposure to sunlight, heat and moisture can cause the rubber to harden and lose flexibility.

To check the age of your tyres:

• Look for the DOT code on the sidewall
• The last four digits indicate the week & year of manufacture (for example, “1522” means the tyre was made in the 15th week of 2022)

Most manufacturers recommend replacing tyres every five to six years, regardless of tread depth, to ensure optimal safety.

Your senses can tell you a lot about your tyres. Pay attention to:

• Vibrations or wobbling, especially at higher speeds—this can indicate a wheel balance issue
• Pulling to one side, which may suggest misalignment
• Unusual noise such as humming or thumping, which might signal uneven tread or internal damage

If you notice any of these signs, book your vehicle in for a check-up as soon as possible. Small issues can become costly or dangerous if left unaddressed.

Rotating tyres helps distribute wear evenly and prolongs their lifespan. For most vehicles, rotation is recommended every 10,000 km or at every second service interval.

A professional tyre rotation and balance ensures:

• Each tyre wears evenly
• The wheels are correctly balanced for smoother driving
• The suspension & steering components are checked at the same time

Regular rotation also helps identify early signs of suspension wear or misalignment before they affect performance.

If your car drifts left or right when driving on a straight road, or if your steering wheel vibrates or sits off-centre, your alignment may be out.

Even minor alignment issues can reduce fuel efficiency and tyre life. While alignment requires specialised equipment, being aware of the signs allows you to book a professional adjustment before damage occurs.

Aside from routine checks, small driving habits can make a big difference:

• Avoid harsh acceleration, braking or cornering
• Steer clear of potholes & kerbs whenever possible
• Keep your vehicle load within the manufacturer’s limits
• Don’t mix tyres with different tread patterns or sizes

These simple practices help reduce strain and keep your tyres performing safely and efficiently.

While these checks help you stay proactive, not all tyre issues are visible or easy to diagnose. Always schedule professional inspections if you experience:

• Persistent vibration or noise
• Rapid or uneven tread wear
• Difficulty maintaining tyre pressure
• Visible bulges, cracks or sidewall damage

Professional equipment can measure wheel alignment, balance and internal structure in ways that home inspections can’t. Routine visits ensure your tyres continue to perform as intended and that your vehicle remains safe on the road.

Staying on top of basic tyre care is one of the easiest ways to keep your car running smoothly and safely. At Tyre Master Albury, we help local drivers get the most from their tyres through expert advice, professional fitting and reliable rotation and balance services.

Whether it’s time for a routine check or you’ve noticed unusual wear, our experienced team is here to help you drive confidently. Visit us today for quality tyres in Albury and honest service you can trust.