Do you need to break-in new tyres?

Despite what you may expect, brand new tyres don’t automatically translate to flawless performance.

In fact, it can take a bit of breaking in before your tyres achieve their optimum performance level.

So, if you’ve just had new tyres fitted to your car or motorcycle, keep reading. Below, we’ve answered this popular FAQ, and shared our top tips for breaking-in new tyres.

Why is it best to break-in new car tyres?

Although it is not a legal requirement to break-in new tyres, it is well worth spending some time wearing them in, before you drive your vehicle any considerable distance, or at a constant speed (motorway / dual carriageway driving).

Breaking-in new tyres can significantly improve their safety, and even improve the tyre’s performance.

This is important because, when a tyre is formed in a heating mould, a spray lubricant is used to make the tyre easier to remove once formed. While this lubricant only sits in a thin layer, it still takes some time before it is completely worn off the tyre.

So, if you drive using the new car tyre while there is still a layer of this agent present, then this can compromise the grip and steering of the tyres.

tyres on a rack

How do you break-in new car tyres?

We recommend that you treat the first 150-200 miles of driving new car tyres as the breaking-in period.

So, while you are within this distance, we suggest driving with care, and avoiding long journeys on major roads. Avoid driving too quickly, braking hardly, or cornering sharply, and stick to dry roads wherever possible.

Then, after you’ve driven 200 miles on the new car tyres, they should be operating at their peak handling and grip performance.

Do you need to break-in motorcycle tyres?

When it comes to motorcycle tyres, the breaking-in period is far more critical.

It is imperative that, if you get new tyres for your motorcycle, you break them in before you attempt to travel long distances or on busy roads. This is because motorcycle tyres are subject to much higher power demands.

Due to the nature of driving a motorcycle (and the fact that it only has two tyres) these tyres will experience particularly high demands regarding grip and power.

If buying a new bike, your dealer should have more information, but you can always check the manufacturer’s guidance. If getting new tyres from a garage, the guidance will be the same. Breaking-in periods will depend on the type, power and weight on your motorcycle.

As a result, it is vital that you break-in motorcycle tyres, to ensure that the tyres are sufficiently roughened, and lose their initial smoothness and slipperiness.

Not only is conditioning the tyres in this way a core part of safe motorcycle driving, but it is also the best way to minimise the risk of damage to your new tyres. In fact, one of the most common ways in which high-performance motorcycle tyres are damaged is if a new tyre is immediately subjected to high stress or high-speed driving.

By breaking-in your motorcycle tyres, you can scuff up the tread, and ensure that the tyres have developed sufficient traction for safe driving. That way, you can be sure that they are working to their maximum performance and highest level of grip.

How to break-in motorcycle tyres

For standard motorcycle tyres, the recommended break-in period is around 100 miles. But, for some tyres, the period at which you should drive with at least some regard for the break-in period can be as high as 500 miles. Consult your tyre supplier to find out the recommended break-in period for your specific tyres.

Until you reach this point, heavy acceleration and heavy braking must be avoided. Alongside this, you shouldn’t attempt to ride at extreme lean angles, or drive at high speeds.

During this period, it is recommended that you spend some time driving on twisty roads, at a slow speed and a gentle lean angle. Then, increase the speed and acceleration very gradually. Doing this overtime will help you to roughen the tyre’s usable tread surface, and improve its grip on the road.

Why do new tyres have coloured lines on them?

If you’ve just bought new tyres, you might also be wondering about the coloured stripes along the tyres – what do they actually mean? Do you need to keep an eye on them?

To put it simply, no, you don’t need to worry about the coloured lines on tyres. They are purely designed for the use of the tyre manufacturers, and are not something that you need to keep track of.

These lines are part of a marking system that is used by tyre manufacturers. They act as a universally recognised system of codes, which indicate key characteristics of a tyre (for example, its size).

Coloured dots on the side of the tyre’s tread also have the same role, and also aren’t something that consumers need to worry about.

What is the legal tread depth for tyres?

Ensuring the correct tread depth is another imperative part of safe driving. This is because, if thread depth is not sufficient, then your tyres’ performance may be compromised, particularly in wet weather.

In fact, did you know that MIRA tests revealed that the difference in braking distances for cars in wet conditions increased by 44% for cars with a 1.6mm tyre tread (compared to those with a 3mm tyre tread).

The legal minimum tyre tread depth varies, depending on the vehicle type:

– For cars – a minimum of 1.6mm
– For goods vehicles and trailers & caravans (weighing less than 3,500kg) – a minimum of 1.6mm
– Most larger vehicles – a minimum of 1.0mm. Plus, the original tread pattern must still be visible in a quarter of the breadth of the tread
– Motorcycles 50cc and over – a minimum of 1.0mm. Plus, the original tread pattern must still be visible in a quarter of the breadth of the tread
– Mopeds and motorcycles under 50cc – the tyres original tread pattern must be visible

Although these are the minimum tyre tread depths, you should not replace your tyre when it is in danger of reaching that point. In fact, most experts suggest that you replace a tyre when it gets to a tread depth of 3mm.

If you need a set of new tyres for your car, van or motorcycle, find your nearest Watling Tyres branch and book in.