It's a good practice to have your tyres professionally checked with every vehicle service, or at least every 6 months / 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Regular checks for tyre pressure (monthly is ideal), tread wear, and any visible damage can also be done by you. Services like wheel alignments and balancing might be needed less frequently but are crucial for tyre longevity and vehicle handling – typically every 10,000 to 20,000 km or if you notice any issues.

Regular tyre servicing offers several key benefits:

• Safety: Properly maintained tyres provide better grip, handling, and braking, reducing the risk of accidents, especially in wet or emergency situations.
• Longer Tyre Life: Services like rotations, balancing, and alignments help tyres wear more evenly, significantly extending their lifespan and saving you money in the long run.
• Improved Fuel Efficiency: Correct tyre pressure and alignment reduce rolling resistance, meaning your car uses less fuel.
• Better Performance & Comfort: Well-maintained tyres contribute to a smoother, more comfortable ride and more predictable vehicle handling.

A "tyre service" can encompass a range of checks and procedures, including:

• Tyre Pressure Check & Inflation: Ensuring tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended levels.
• Tread Depth & Wear Pattern Inspection: Checking for sufficient tread and any uneven wear that might indicate other issues.
• Tyre Rotation: Swapping tyre positions to promote even wear.
• Wheel Balancing: Adding small weights to ensure the wheel and tyre assembly spins smoothly, preventing vibrations.
• Wheel Alignment: Adjusting the angles of your wheels to ensure they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other, for optimal handling and even tyre wear.
• Puncture Repair: Safely repairing punctures if they are within repairable limits and locations on the tyre.

You should get your tyres checked by a professional as soon as possible if you notice:

• Visible Damage: Cuts, cracks, bulges, or objects embedded in the tyre.
• Low Tread Depth: If the tread wear indicators (small bars in the grooves) are flush with the tread, or if the tread is below the legal minimum (1.6mm in NSW).
• Uneven Wear: If some parts of your tyres are wearing down much faster than others.
• Vibrations or Shaking: If you feel unusual vibrations through the steering wheel or the car itself, especially at certain speeds.
• Vehicle Pulling: If your car consistently pulls to one side while driving on a straight, level road.
• Frequent Loss of Tyre Pressure: If one or more tyres regularly need air.