Tyre Safety

Tyres are the vehicle’s contact with the road. Their condition affects braking, steering and stability. Tyre life varies with product design, vehicle, load, pressure, alignment, road surface, climate and driving style, so visual age alone cannot confirm that a tyre is safe.

This guide is intended for passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles. It is general information, not an inspection or fitment approval.

NSW scope: legal and roadworthiness statements on this page are based on NSW Government guidance. Vehicles registered or operated elsewhere may be subject to different local requirements.

Check pressure when tyres are cold

Check all road tyres—and the spare where fitted—at least monthly and before a long trip. Use the cold inflation pressure shown on the vehicle tyre placard or in the owner’s manual. “Cold” generally means before driving or after the vehicle has been parked long enough for the tyres to cool.

Do not use the maximum pressure moulded on the tyre sidewall as the normal setting. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for passengers, luggage, towing and sustained higher-speed use. Refit valve caps and investigate repeated pressure loss.

Check tread and the whole tyre

In NSW, tyres—including the spare—must be in good condition and have at least 1.5 mm of tread. They must not be smooth, cracked, bulged or unevenly worn, and they must be inflated to the recommended pressure. Wet-weather performance may decline before the legal minimum is reached.

• Inspect the full tread and both sidewalls for cuts, cracks, bulges, exposed cords, embedded objects and uneven wear.
• Check after a hard pothole or kerb impact, or if the vehicle begins to vibrate, pull to one side or lose pressure.
• Uneven wear can indicate incorrect pressure, alignment, balancing, suspension or mechanical problems.

Rotation, alignment and balancing

Follow the vehicle and tyre manufacturer’s rotation schedule. Directional, asymmetric, staggered and all-wheel-drive arrangements can limit where a tyre may be moved. Have alignment, balancing and the vehicle’s steering or suspension checked when wear is uneven or the vehicle develops vibration or pulling.

Punctures and temporary repairs

A punctured tyre should be removed from the wheel and inspected inside and out by a qualified tyre professional before any permanent repair is considered. Damage to the sidewall, shoulder or internal structure is not equivalent to a simple repairable tread puncture and may require replacement.

External plugs, sealant aerosols and mobility kits are emergency measures unless the relevant tyre, repair system and vehicle manufacturer expressly approve otherwise. Follow the marked speed and distance limits, and tell the technician that sealant has been used. For run-flat tyres, follow the vehicle and tyre manufacturer’s instructions.

Age, storage and the spare

Do not use age alone to decide whether a tyre is safe. NSW roadworthiness guidance focuses on condition; heat, sunlight, storage, use and construction all matter. Check the manufacturing date code, include little-used vehicles and spare tyres in inspections, and seek professional advice as tyres age or show cracking, hardening, vibration or deformation.

Load, towing and daily driving

• Do not exceed the vehicle, axle, wheel or tyre load limits.
• Use the manufacturer’s pressure guidance for towing or heavy loads and recheck pressures when tyres are cold.
• Avoid abrupt starts, heavy braking, potholes and kerb impacts where it is safe to do so.
• Slow before corners and drive to the road, weather, load and legal speed conditions.

When to stop

If a tyre develops a bulge, exposed cords, severe cracking, rapid pressure loss, unusual vibration or impact damage, reduce speed smoothly and stop somewhere safe. Do not continue on a deflated tyre unless it is an approved run-flat being used strictly within the manufacturer’s limits.

General guidance only: for NSW vehicles, always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook and tyre placard, the tyre manufacturer’s instructions and current NSW roadworthiness requirements. If in doubt, ask a qualified NSW tyre fitter. Heavy-vehicle operators in NSW should also follow current NHVR inspection requirements.

Official starting points include the NSW Government’s Roadworthiness guidance, Vehicle Standards Information and the NHVR inspection manual for heavy vehicles.