Tire Maintenance: Pressure, Tread, and When to Replace? [2025]

Your tires are the only contact between your car and the road – literally, a contact area the size of four palms supports the entire weight of your vehicle. Yet, tires are often neglected until a problem arises. Poorly maintained tires not only lead to dangerous situations but can also cost you hundreds of euros per year in increased fuel consumption and premature wear. In this complete guide to tire maintenance, you'll learn everything about correct tire pressure, measuring tread depth, when to replace them, and how to get the most out of your tires.

Why Is Regular Tire Maintenance So Important?

Tire maintenance is crucial for both safety and your wallet. Here are the main reasons why you should pay regular attention to your tires:

Safety:

• Braking distance: Worn tires (3mm profile instead of 8mm) extend the braking distance at 80 km/h by as much as 18 meters on wet roads
• Aquaplaning: Insufficient tread depth increases the risk of aquaplaning, where the tire loses contact with the road surface
• Road handling: Incorrect tire pressure affects steering precision and stability, especially in bends and during emergency maneuvers
• Blowout: Low pressure increases the risk of overheating and tire damage, which can lead to a blowout at high speed

Economic benefits:

• Fuel economy: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which can increase fuel consumption by 3-5% (€150-€250 per year with average use)
• Longer lifespan: Properly maintained tires last 25-40% longer, saving hundreds of euros
• Prevent uneven wear: Incorrect pressure or alignment causes one-sided wear, requiring premature tire replacement

At the MOT inspection Your tires are thoroughly inspected. Tires that don't meet legal requirements will result in rejection, so regularly checking them yourself prevents surprises.

Tire Pressure: The Correct Values and How to Check Them

Correct tire pressure is one of the most underestimated aspects of car maintenance, yet it is perhaps the most important.

Where can you find the correct tire pressure for your car?

The recommended tire pressure is indicated in several places:

• On a sticker in the door (driver's side)
• In the fuel filler cap
• In the glove compartment or on the B-pillar
• In your car's instruction manual

Note: Often, two values are listed – one for a normal load and one for a full load (with passengers and luggage). Use the higher value if you're going on vacation with a fully loaded car.

Typical tire pressure values:

• Small cars: 2.0-2.3 bar (front), 2.0-2.2 bar (rear)
• Middle class: 2.2-2.5 bar (front), 2.0-2.3 bar (rear)
• SUVs/larger cars: 2.4-2.8 bar (front), 2.4-2.8 bar (rear)
• At full load: Usually 0.2-0.4 bar higher at the rear

How often should you check tire pressure?

Check the tire pressure at least:

• Once a month
• For long rides
• With large temperature changes (seasonal changes)
• When changing from summer to winter tires and vice versa
• When the tire pressure warning appears on the dashboard

How do you check tire pressure correctly?

1. Always check tires when cold (not immediately after driving)
2. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge (digital is more accurate)
3. Remove the valve cap and place the meter firmly on the valve
4. Read the value and compare it with the recommended pressure
5. If the voltage is too low: pump up to the correct value
6. If the tension is too high: carefully release the air
7. Don't forget the spare tire (if applicable)

What happens if the tire pressure is incorrect?

Too low voltage:

• Increased rolling resistance and fuel consumption (+3-5%)
• Tire overheating
• Wear on the outer edges of the tread
• Reduced steering precision
• Increased risk of tire damage and blowouts

Too high voltage:

• Harder driving behaviour and reduced comfort
• Wear in the center of the tread
• Reduced grip, especially on wet roads
• Increased risk of damage from holes or obstacles

A deviation of just 0.3 bar can have noticeable effects on performance and service life.

Tread Depth: Measurement and Legal Requirements

The tread depth of your tires determines their ability to evacuate water and provide grip, especially on wet roads.

Legal minimum tread depth:

• Passenger cars: Minimum 1.6mm over the entire width of the tread
• Winter tires: Recommended minimum 4mm for good performance
• At APK: Tires under 1.6mm will result in immediate rejection

Safe recommendations:

Although 1.6mm is legally permitted, safety experts advise replacing tires at:

• Summer tires: 3mm tread depth
• Winter tires: 4mm tread depth (winter performance decreases significantly below 4mm)
• All-season tires: 3-4mm tread depth

At these depths, water displacement capacity and grip decrease significantly, especially at high speeds and heavy rain.

How do you measure tread depth?

Method 1: Tread depth gauge

A digital or mechanical tread depth gauge (€5-€20) gives the most accurate measurement:

1. Place the gauge in the main groove of the tread
2. Push the pin down to the bottom of the groove
3. Read the value (in millimeters)
4. Measure in multiple places: inside, middle and outside
5. Measure all four tires

Method 2: Wear Indicators

Modern tires have built-in tread wear indicators (TWI):

• Small elevations in the main grooves of the tire
• Visible when the profile reaches 1.6mm
• Often indicated by a triangle or “TWI” on the side
• When the tread is level with this indicator: tire needs to be replaced

Method 3: €1 coin test (rough indication)

Insert a €1 coin into the main groove of the tire. The gold edge is approximately 3mm wide. If the gold edge remains fully visible, your tread is below 3mm and replacement is recommended.

Note uneven wear:

Check not only the depth but also the wear pattern:

• Wear on outer edges: Tire pressure too low
• Wear in the center: Too high tire pressure
• One-sided wear: Incorrect wheel alignment – have this checked immediately
• Patchy wear: Problem with shock absorbers or balancing
• Saw-tooth wear: Wrong toe-in, often at the back

When Should You Replace Tires?

There are several reasons why tires need to be replaced, not just tread depth.

Replacement based on tread depth:

• Summer tires: 3mm or less
• Winter tires: 4mm or less
• Legal minimum: 1.6mm (but not recommended to wait that long)

Replacement based on age:

Rubber degrades over time, even when the tire is used sparingly:

• Maximum age: 10 years from date of production (stated on the side: DOT code, last 4 digits indicate week and year, e.g. 2319 = week 23 of 2019)
• Recommended replacement: After 6-8 years, even with sufficient profile
• Intensive use: 4-6 years
• Spare tire: Also check and replace after 10 years

Old tires become hard, lose elasticity and can develop cracks, increasing the risk of a blowout.

Replacement in case of damage:

Replace a tire immediately when you see:

• Bulges or bumps: Indicates internal damage to the structure
• Cracks in the side: Especially with older tires
• Visible cords or fabric: Means that the tire is extremely worn
• Large cuts or punctures: Deeper than 6mm or in the side are not repairable
• Distortion: Band no longer running

A damaged tire is a safety hazard and should be replaced immediately.

How many tires should you replace at once?

• Ideal: All four at once for consistent performance
• Minimum: Two tires on the same axle (front or rear)
• Front-wheel drive: New tires in front, old ones in the back
• Rear-wheel drive: New rear tires for stability
• 4-wheel drive: Preferably all four at the same time (large profile differences can cause driveline damage)

At Faay Auto Groep, we are happy to advise you on the optimal replacement time and help you choose the right tires for your car and driving style.

Additional Tire Maintenance Tips

1. Rotate the wheels

Rotating your tires every 10,000-12,000 kilometers (6,000-7,500 miles) helps them wear more evenly and last longer. Most cars have front-wheel drive, which causes the front tires to wear faster. Rotating them extends their overall lifespan with 20-30%.

2. Balancing tires with vibrations

If you feel vibrations in your steering wheel or car at certain speeds (often 80-100 km/h), your wheels probably need to be balanced. Unbalanced wheels cause uneven tire wear and an uncomfortable ride. Balancing costs €5-€10 per wheel.

3. Check wheel alignment

Have the wheel alignment (toe) checked:

• After installing new tires
• When you see one-sided tire wear
• After a hard hit against a curb
• When the car pulls to one side while driving straight
• Annually at the major maintenance service

Incorrect wheel alignment can ruin a set of tires in 15,000 km instead of the normal 40,000-60,000 km.

4. Avoid aggressive driving

Hard acceleration, abrupt braking, and sharp cornering significantly accelerate tire wear. A smooth ride extends the life of your tires by up to 40%.

5. Consider winter tires

At temperatures below 7°C, winter tires offer better grip than summer tires. Although the Netherlands doesn't have a winter tire requirement, switching to winter tires can improve the safety and lifespan of both sets of tires (because each set is only used half as much).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average lifespan of car tires?

The average lifespan of car tires is 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers with normal use, which equates to about 4-6 years. However, this can vary significantly depending on driving style, maintenance, tire brand, road type, and climate. Aggressive driving, regularly carrying heavy loads, and heavy city driving shorten their lifespan. Premium tires often last longer (up to 70,000 km) than budget tires (30,000-40,000 km). Also check the tire's age: tires older than 8-10 years should be replaced, even with sufficient tread.

Can I replace a single tire or do I have to replace a pair?

Replacing just one tire is possible but not recommended. Ideally, replace at least two tires on the same axle (both front or both rear) to ensure consistent grip and performance. Significant tread differences between the left and right tires can negatively impact handling, especially in emergency situations. For vehicles with four-wheel drive (4WD/AWD), it's often necessary to replace all four at once, as differences in circumference can damage the drivetrain. If in doubt, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.

Are expensive tire brands really better than cheap ones?

Yes, there is a measurable difference between premium and budget tires. Tests by organizations like ANWB and AutoWeek consistently show that premium brands (Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone) perform better in critical areas: shorter braking distances (up to 5-8 meters difference in emergency braking from 80 km/h), better grip on wet roads, lower rolling resistance (better fuel economy), and longer lifespan. While premium tires 30-50% are more expensive to purchase, they often last longer and save fuel, making the total cost per kilometer comparable or even lower. More importantly, the safety gains are priceless.

How often should I check my tire pressure in winter?

In winter, you should check your tire pressure more frequently, preferably every 2-3 weeks. Tire pressure drops approximately 0.1 bar for every 10°C drop in temperature. During the transition from summer to winter (e.g., a temperature drop from 20°C to 0°C), the pressure can drop by 0.2-0.3 bar. Check especially during sudden temperature changes. Also note: if you have winter tires on different rims, check the pressure immediately after changing them, as it may differ from your summer set. Cold tires in winter temperatures can have dangerously low pressure without you noticing.

Can I get a tire with a nail in it repaired?

A tire can often be repaired if the puncture meets certain criteria: the damage is in the tread (not the sidewall), the hole is smaller than 6mm in diameter, and there is no structural damage to the tire. A professional internal repair with a mushroom plug costs €15-€30 and is reliable. External repairs with only a plug are less reliable and only suitable as a temporary solution. Sidewall damage, multiple repairs on a single tire, or damage at high speed (above 160 km/h) make a tire unrepairable. Always have damage assessed by a specialist.

What is the difference between summer, winter and all-season tires?

The three tire types differ in rubber compound and tread pattern. Summer tires are optimized for temperatures above 7°C, have a harder rubber that does not soften in heat, and offer excellent grip on dry and wet roads but harden in the cold. Winter tires have a softer rubber compound that remains flexible below 7°C, deeper tread with sipes for better grip on snow and ice, but wear out faster in warm weather. All season tires They're a compromise, suitable for temperatures between 5-25°C, and perform reasonably well in all seasons, but don't excel anywhere. All-season tires are often sufficient for the Dutch climate, but true winter tires are safer in harsh winters.

Conclusion: Invest in Regular Tire Maintenance

Proper tire maintenance is a small investment with a major impact on safety, driving comfort, and your wallet. By checking your tire pressure monthly, regularly measuring your tread, and replacing your tires on time, you maximize the lifespan of your tires and minimize the risk of dangerous situations.

Remember: your tires are the only contact between your car and the road. Four palm-sized contact surfaces bear the entire weight of your vehicle and determine whether you can brake, steer, and accelerate safely. Spending a few minutes checking your tires monthly can save lives and hundreds of euros.

Time for new tires or a tire check? Schedule an appointment now at Faay Auto Groep. Our specialists will check your tire pressure and tread depth for free, advise you on the correct replacement time, and can install new tires immediately. Call 030 601 99 15 or book your appointment online. We're ready to assist you in Nieuwegein!