When to change your tyres

Based on the Date of Manufacture (DOM) of your tyre, Dunlop recommends inspecting tyres every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers during rotation. Tyre age can lead to deterioration, even if the tyres are not in use. All tyre brands have a warranty period, and it’s advisable to replace tyres before this warranty expires. Most brands offer a warranty of 5 to 6 years from the DOM, while Dunlop tyres are warranted for 8 years from the DOM. Keep in mind that tyre age is calculated from the date of manufacture, not from the date of purchase, as tyres can degrade even while in storage.

Tread Check

When your tyre tread is worn down to the Tread Wear Indicator (TWI)

NEVER drive on smooth tyres. Always replace tyres when they reach a tread depth of 1.6 mm, which is easily identified by the TWI built into the tyre’s tread grooves. Even if the tyre is worn unevenly, and only one side reaches the TWI while the rest remains above it, that tyre is considered illegal under South African law.

Additionally, in the absence of tread wear indicators, it is illegal to drive with tyres that have less than 1.0 mm of tread remaining

Puncture Help

If you get a puncture

Some punctures can be repaired by specialists, so visit your nearest Dunlop Zone to check if your tyre can be repaired rather than replaced. If the puncture is irreparable, you’ll need to choose and fit a new tyre.

Irregular Wear

If your tyres are wearing irregularly

If your tyres haven't been properly aligned, inflated, or fitted, you may experience irregular wear. If this happens, it is best to replace the tyres as soon as possible, to prevent further wear, which can result in an unsafe drive.

DID YOU KNOW: All tyres being produced, have a marking which indicates when it is time to replace the tyre.

The marking is called a TREAD WEAR INDICATOR (TWI). When the tread level has worn down to a 1.6 mm level, it is time to replace the tyre, as it is both illegal and unsafe to operate on the road at this point.

The other reason why tyres would need to be changed:

  1. The tyre has worn unevenly and can’t be corrected, which results in a noisy ride or the vehicle gives off a vibration.
  2. Tyre that has an unrepairable damage on one or more areas of its construction.






Take note of Tread Wear Indicators (TWI):

  1. In the radial grooves of the tyres tread, are little humps. These humps are known as Tread Wear Indicators (TWI).
  2. The location of these humps are commonly indicated on the tyre by either a little arrow or TWI.
  3. The Tread Wear Indicator is approximately 1.6mm high.
  4. The reason the tread wear indicators are present on the tread, is to notify the driver of the vehicle that their tyres are due for replacement.
  5. Once the tread wear indicator is flush with the remaining tread, not only is the tyre due for replacement, but is also dangerously low for required vehicle control in wet conditions.
  6. With low remaining tread depth, your stopping distance in wet conditions increases, and the water clearance is drastically reduced.
  7. This is a very important safety feature built into the tyre to notify you when the tyre should be replaced.