Your tyres are the only part of your car touching the road. Their condition directly determines how well your car brakes, steers and handles in wet conditions. Yet tyres are among the most neglected safety items for Kenyan motorists.
Tread Depth: The Key Measurement
New tyres have 8–10mm of tread. The legal minimum is 1.6mm. Safety experts recommend replacing at 2–3mm — especially given Kenya's heavy seasonal rains where tread depth is critical for water dispersal.
How to check: Insert a KSh 1 coin into the tread groove. If you can see the full coin face, your tread is dangerously low. Also look for the tread wear indicators — small raised bars moulded into the grooves. When they are flush with the tread surface, the tyre is legally worn out.
Age: Tyres Have an Expiry Date
Rubber degrades over time regardless of mileage. Maximum safe tyre age is 6 years from manufacture date — 10 years absolute maximum. Even if the tread looks fine, old rubber is hard, cracked internally, and prone to sudden failure.
How to read the date: Find the DOT code on the tyre sidewall. The last 4 digits show week and year of manufacture — e.g. "2221" means week 22 of 2021.
Damage Signs Requiring Immediate Replacement
- Sidewall bulge or bubble — internal structure has failed; blowout is imminent. Do not drive on this tyre.
- Sidewall cuts or cracks — compromises structural integrity
- Exposed steel cords or fabric — completely unsafe
- Persistent slow puncture that cannot be safely repaired
Uneven Wear Patterns — What They Mean
- Worn in centre only — tyres over-inflated
- Worn on both edges — tyres under-inflated
- Worn on one edge — wheel alignment problem; fix alignment before fitting new tyres
- Scalloped / cupped wear — worn shock absorbers
We stock GT Radial, Maxxis, Linglong and Road Cruzza tyres for all vehicle types. Fitting included.
Order tyres: 0722 267 301 | WhatsApp