Safety is paramount whenever you get behind the wheel of your vehicle. Whilst some accidents can be totally out of your control, some can be prevented with just a little extra focus.
One problem area found within many vehicles is the tyres. Whether they are flat, have unsuitable tread depth or are attached to misaligned wheels, a poorly maintained tyre can lead to severe accidents.
Unfortunately, tyres are often out of sight and out of mind. With them hidden from view, it can be all too easy to forget about checking them or delay checking them until next time.
That is where too many drivers put themselves and other road users at risk. Figures from tyresafe.org show us that 190 people were killed or seriously injured because of defective tyre-related incidents in 2023. Additional research also shows that a shameful 1 in 5 drivers have never checked their tyres.
So, to help you not become part of that statistic, we’ve put together a guide for looking after the tyres on your Range Rover.
Why checking your tyres is so important
Your tyres are, as we all know, an essential part of your Range Rover. Put simply, without them, you aren’t getting anywhere. Along with ensuring you can get from A-2-B, they also play a significant role in the safe operation of the vehicle and the comfort of the journey.
If you regularly maintain your tyres you’ll be:
- Enhancing the safety of you, your passengers and other road users
- Delivering a more comfortable journey for all in your Range Rover
- Improving the fuel efficiency of your vehicle
So, it’s important to stay on top of tyre maintenance. Leaving things too late might not only leave a severe dent in your wallet, but it could lead to far more catastrophic events.
7 tips for tyre maintenance and care
We’ve put together seven tips for optimal tyre care that will not only keep you safe on the road but also save you cash.
1. Check the tread depth
Your first port of call should be checking the tread depth. This will give you a good indication of how much wear your tyre has endured.
There is a legal limit for tread depth on UK roads of 1.6mm. The easiest way to make sure you comply with it is with a 20p coin. Place the coin in the main tread groove of each tyre. If the outer band of the coin isn’t visible, you are within the legal limit.
If the outer band is visible, even just partly, you’ll need to change your tyres right away.
NOTE: The tread depth of 1.6mm must be across the central three-quarters of the tyre and must meet this requirement across its complete circumference.
2. Check tyre pressure
Checking the tyre pressure of your Range Rover is essential. It should be done at least once a month, and every time you go on a long journey.
To do so, simply get your vehicle handbook, check the recommended psi and either use a pressure gauge to monitor current levels or head to your local garage.
For optimal results, do this when your Range Rover is parked on a cold, flat and hard surface – preferably before a journey starts. If you forget to check before you drive, wait two hours after your arrival. This allows the tyres to cool down and gives you a more accurate reading.
Ensuring you maintain your tyres at the correct pressure is quick and easy, so it shouldn’t be dismissed. Tyres with too much or too little pressure can affect vehicle handling, see fuel consumed way faster than normal, and lead to excessive tyre wear.
3. Look for signs of damage or wear
A simple inspection could mean the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one. Before you set out, inspect each tyre looking for signs of damage or unusual wear. You could find objects embedded in the tyre, causing a slow puncture; it might be that random bulges have appeared. Either way, any sign of damage or wear should not be taken lightly.
You might also notice patterns of uneven wear; this could stem from wheel alignment (more on that below), issues with suspension or simply under- or over-inflated tyres.
Call out a mechanic and have them give the tyres a more detailed inspection. It might cost, but it could well be a lifesaver.
4. Book a wheel alignment
If you have started to notice that your tyres are wearing quickly, it could be a sign of misaligned wheels. You’ll alter the misalignment of your wheels, often without noticing. A simple bump against a kerb or hitting a pothole can be enough to do it. This can lead to increased wear, a lack of control and heightened fuel consumption. A Range Rover wheel alignment can be booked at a Range Rover service centre and will soon remedy the problem.
5. Be mindful of overloading
Your Range Rover might be the perfect vehicle for a little off-roading or for heading off with the whole family for a trip, but you should be mindful of how much you pack into it. Overloading your vehicle can put additional stress on it, and as a result, the tyres bear the brunt. You’ll have handling issues and see rapidly increased tyre wear. This could lead to accidents where both you and other road users are affected.
You can check the weight limit of your Range Rover by checking the sign inside the vehicle and in the user guide. Furthermore, your tyres should state the load index, giving you an indication of what they can safely handle.
6. Drive carefully
Even with fresh tyres, set at the correct pressure and with perfect wheel alignment, you could find you end up causing unnecessary damage to your tyres. Erratic driving and bad driving habits can be just as much a contributor to tyre wear as anything else we’ve mentioned.
Harsh braking and acceleration can be damaging, as can continuous stopping and starting, but perhaps most common is a lack of attention. Failing to avoid potholes, not slowing down at speed bumps, and using unsuitable tyres can all lead to rapid degradation. Simply paying attention and taking a little extra care can make all the difference.
7. Protect the spare
Whilst your focus may be on the four tyres attached to your vehicle, don’t forget about the spare. You never know when you might need it, and should the time come when it is called into action, you’ll need it to be ready to go.
Check it has no signs of damage, has suitable tread, and is pumped up and ready.
These are our seven key tips for Range Rover tyre maintenance, but you should also not forget that age is more than a number when it comes to tyres. It is only natural that over time, they degrade. Even with sufficient psi and tread depth, the rubber may no longer hold up as it should. It is commonly assumed that tyres older than six years should be replaced, regardless of the condition. You can check the age by looking at the sidewall of the tyre; the date of manufacture will be printed there.
How long can I expect tyres on my Range Rover to last?
Much depends on how you drive. Typically, you can see 10,000-30,000 miles per front tyre and up to 60,000 miles per rear tyre. This should be taken with a pinch of salt though, as different driving conditions, habits and levels of care could see them deteriorate much sooner.
If you need your tyres checked, contact our team. We’ll not only realign your wheels but will also ensure you have the appropriate tyres for your Range Rover. In addition, our comprehensive Range Rover services and Range Rover MOTs mean you can be safe and compliant on the road all year long. We can service Range Rover Sport TDV6, the Velar, the Evoque and more, so reach out today for high quality affordable Range Rover servicing.