When to Replace Your Tyres

Tyres don't last forever — and in Kenya's heat and rough roads they age faster than the tread alone suggests. Here's how to know when it's time.

1. Tread depth

The legal and safety minimum is 1.6mm. Every tyre has moulded wear bars in the grooves; when the tread is level with them, replace immediately. A quick test: insert a Kenyan coin into the groove — if the tread doesn't reach the raised rim, you're getting low.

2. Age

Rubber hardens and cracks with age even if the tread looks fine. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall (see our date-code guide). Most makers recommend replacing tyres 5–6 years from manufacture, and never running a tyre over 10 years old.

3. Damage & cracks

• Sidewall cracks or 'crazing' from sun and heat.
• Bulges or blisters — a sign of internal damage; replace at once.
• Cuts, embedded objects, or repeated punctures in the same area.
• Vibration that balancing doesn't fix.

If any of these show up, WhatsApp us a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether it's repairable or needs replacing.