Tyre Inspection

How to Check Tyres' Safety Properly?

1. Check Tyre Pressure Weekly / Monthly

Pressure is where most people go wrong. Don’t trust the eye; tyres can look fine and still be running low.

• Use a proper gauge, not a cheap one that drifts.
• Follow the level printed on the car — usually on the door frame, fuel cap, or in the manual.
• Low pressure means more wear, higher fuel use, and a real risk of a blowout.
• Too much air isn’t better either. It makes the tread wear uneven and braking less effective.
• Always check when the tyres are cold. Once you’ve driven, the heat pushes the reading up.
• If the TPMS light shows, don’t ignore it.

2. Inspect Tread Depth

Grip depends on the tread. Once it’s gone, the tyre is just sliding on rubber.

• On wet roads, shallow tread is dangerous — stopping distance shoots up.
• Law in the UAE says the minimum depth is 1.6 mm.
• You can measure with a tread gauge, or do the 1 Dirham coin test. If the teapot shows clearly, it’s worn.
• Most tyres now have wear bars moulded in. Check them instead of guessing.
• Worn tread is what causes hydroplaning when the road is wet.

3. Look for Visible Damage

A quick look can save trouble later.

• Cracks form from heat or ageing rubber.
• Bulges or blisters mean internal damage. Those can fail suddenly at speed.
• Cuts or sidewall punctures usually mean replacement. Don’t risk patching them.

4. Ensure Proper Tyre Alignment & Balancing

Even with good tread, poor alignment kills tyres early.

• If the car pulls left or right, or the steering vibrates, alignment is off.
• Alignment keeps wear even and makes the car easier to control.
• Balancing removes vibrations and makes the ride smoother.
• Do both every six months or 10,000 km. Waiting longer costs more in tyres.

5. Rotate Your Tyres for Even Wear

Front tyres don’t wear the same as the rear. Rotation fixes that.

• Swap them around every 10,000 km.
• Follow the pattern for your car — front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or AWD all rotate differently.

6. Avoid Hard Cornering

Driving style shows up on tyres fast.

• Sharp turns at speed chew the edges.
• That leads to torn tread blocks and a weaker grip.
• Slow down on corners if you want the set to last.

Proper Time to Replace the Tyres

Tyres here don’t last forever. Heat, fast highways, and city traffic wear them down faster than people expect. There are a few clear signs that tell you it’s time to change them.

1) Tread depth under 1.6 mm

That’s the legal limit in the UAE. Once it’s below that, the tyre won’t hold grip, especially in the rain.

2) Cracks or bulges

If you see cracks along the side or a bulge on the surface, the structure inside is already weak. In our heat, that tyre can burst without warning.

3) More than 5 years old

Even if it looks fine, old rubber goes hard and starts to split. After five years on UAE roads, it’s safer to replace.

4) Too much vibration

If the steering shakes or the car feels rough, the tyre may be damaged inside. Balancing won’t always fix it.

5) Uneven wear

When one tyre wears down faster than the rest, it won’t perform properly. That one needs to go, even if the others still look good.

Tyre Information Checking

1) Tyre Brand Checking

The first thing you’ll see on the sidewall is the brand name — Michelin, Bridgestone, Yokohama, and so on. Always match brand and quality with your driving needs and budget.

2) Width (3-digit number, e.g., 195)

This shows the width of the tyre in millimetres, measured side to side. A “195” tyre is 195 mm wide.

3) Height (2-digit number, e.g., 55)

This is the aspect ratio, meaning the tyre’s height as a percentage of its width. “55” means the height is 55% of the width.

4) Rim Size (number next to ‘R’, e.g., 16)

The “R” stands for radial, the common type used today. The number that follows is the wheel rim diameter in inches. So “R16” fits a 16-inch rim.

5) Speed Rating (single letter, e.g., V)

The letter shows the maximum speed the tyre can safely handle. For example, “V” is rated up to 240 km/h.

Tips to Improve Your Tyre Performance While Ensuring Safety

1) Keep an eye on pressure

Don’t trust the look. A tyre can seem fine and still be underinflated. In our heat, pressure changes quickly. Check it often, and always when the tyre is cold.

2) Rotate them on time

Front tyres wear differently from the rear. If you leave them, one set goes bald early. Rotating every 10,000 km balances it out and adds life.

3) Watch the load

Extra passengers, heavy cargo, roof racks — all of it pushes the tyres harder. Overloading builds heat inside and weakens the sidewalls.

4) Quick inspection before long runs

On a trip to Abu Dhabi or Fujairah, pull a quick check. Look at the tread, scan for cuts or bulges. Better to catch it in the parking lot than on the highway.

5) Drive smooth

Hard braking, sharp cornering, sudden acceleration — they chew up tyres fast. A steady hand on the wheel means a longer life and a safer grip.

Inspect your Tyres with Fasttrack Emarat

On UAE roads, tyres wear quicker than expected. Long drives, sudden braking, and the summer heat take their toll. At Fasttrack Emarat, inspections are handled by technicians who deal with these conditions every day. Each check covers tread depth, pressure, sidewalls, alignment, and balancing. With 32 centres across Dubai and the Northern Emirates, drivers have easy access to professional checks without delay. Small issues are spotted early, saving on costs and reducing the chance of a roadside failure. Visit your nearest Fasttrack Emarat service centre for a thorough tyre inspection