As far as car parts go, tyres are probably the most critical non-mechanical parts on the entire vehicle because they're literally where the rubber meets the road. They have to put up with a lot of friction and heat every time you take your car out for a spin. After a year or so, the treads on your tyres will wear to the point of going 'bald'. When you've reached that point, you'll have to replace car tyres if you want to continue driving safely. New tyres can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 each, depending on a few different factors.
In this article, we’re going to tell you all you need to know about replacing your tyres, including figuring out how much they cost.
How much does a new tyre cost?
In Australia, a brand new tyre for your car can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 each. The reason why there is a wide range of prices for car tyres is that they come in all different sizes and quality levels. So, even though you must buy a tyre that fits the rims on your car, you can still choose from various options for brands and quality.
The price of a new tyre will depend on a few factors, including:
1. Brand
Well-known brands will naturally cost a bit more since they’re a higher quality overall.
2. Quality
Even within tyre brands, there are tyres of different quality. A tyre with a higher load fitment for use in heavier vehicles or one with extra traction for racing will naturally carry a higher price tag.
3. Size
The tyre you buy must match the rim size of your vehicle. Larger tyres are more expensive, so if you drive a bigger car, you can expect to pay more for your tyres.
Can I buy tyres second-hand?
It is not illegal to buy second-hand tyres in Australia, but tyres are not the kind of car parts that you want to skimp on just to save a few extra dollars.
Remember: your tyres are the parts of the car that come into direct contact with the road. For your safety and that of everyone else driving around you, you should invest in the highest quality tyres that you can afford.
Buying new tyres might seem expensive because you’re paying a higher amount initially. But they’ll save you a lot in the long run, since you won’t have to replace them as often as you would with used tyres. Plus, they’ll maintain traction on the road and allow you to drive safely, reducing your risk of an accident.
How often should you replace your car's tyres?
You’ll need to replace most tyres after 2-3 years. Don’t wait for the tyres to go bald before getting new ones! Instead, get your mechanic to evaluate your tyres every time you bring your car to the workshop for its regular maintenance. Tyres aren’t that complicated, so you could do a visual inspection yourself (i.e. look at it and touch it) at home to see if the threads are still alright.
Of course, there are other situations when you might want to change your tyres sooner than expected. If you accidentally pop your tyres by running over a nail or other sharp objects, of course, you’re going to need replacements immediately.
Can I just replace one tyre on my car?
Yes! If you’re short on cash, you could always replace one tyre at a time. However, that’s probably not the most efficient ways to manage your tyres overall.
Firstly, imagine how your car might perform if it had one brand new tyre while the other three are worn-out. The grip on the road will not be equal, so your vehicle won’t move as efficiently as it should.
Plus, if you replace all your tyres at the same time, you can rest assured that they’ll wear out at roughly the same rate. With that, you can predict around when your next tyre change will be, and you can save up to change them all at the same time.
Some shops might even bundle them together and offer you a promo for picking up four tyres at the same time, saving you a few dollars along the way.
What happens if I don’t replace my tyres?
The more your tyres get worn out, the more dangerous it is to drive on them. A worn-out tyre doesn’t grip the road or provide traction effectively. That could leave you spinning or skidding out of control when you least expect it. Here are three things that could happen if you don’t replace your tyres:
1. Handling snow and ice would be impossible
If you’re somewhere with a colder climate, you’ll need more traction in your tyres than anywhere else. Worn out tyres – while somewhat usable on regular roads – will not work on snow and ice. Your vehicle will be a danger to yourself and others since you won’t be able to stop it from sliding.
2. You’ll lose air pressure quicker
Bald tyres are quick to lose air pressure. As you may know, low tyre pressure leads to a loss in fuel efficiency overall because your car will have a more challenging time moving forward.
3. Your tyres might blow out entirely
The most dangerous of all: a potential tyre blowout. The treads on a tyre help it to manage the heat generated by friction. When those treads wear out, the heat might rise to dangerous levels, causing the tyre to explode while your car is mobile.
Other Tyre Services to Consider
Replacing a tyre is something that all car owners must do eventually, but there are steps you can take to keep them in good shape for longer. Don’t forget to ask your mechanic to do a wheel alignment, wheel balancing, and tyre rotation from time to time. Each of them ensures that your car uses those tyres efficiently, and therefore ensures that they last as long as possible before wearing out.
Briefly, here’s what each of those procedures does for your tyres:
1. Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment ensures that all your wheels are correctly aligned so that your tyres' surfaces are always in full contact with the ground.
2. Wheel balancing
Tyre or wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the entire vehicle distributes evenly throughout all four tyres. That ensures that the tyres will wear out evenly.
3. Tyre rotation
Tyre rotation is another way to ensure your tyres wear evenly. With this procedure, the position of your tyres switches around (e.g. front tyres placed in the back and vice versa).
If you're looking to replace car tyres, check out the directory at Carpart.com.au or search from the ads. There, you can find the closest workshops to you and compare the cost to replace the tyres. With contact details and addresses included, the Directory will be a convenient way for you to connect you to sellers all over Australia. On the other hand, the fastest and most cost-effective way, which you should try, would be to send a request for parts. This tool allows you to request any car part you need and receive quotes from over 500 vetted sellers. What’s best is that it’s free to use, so try it now!
By Ray Hasbollah