Tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, yet most drivers only pay attention to them after a puncture or when the car starts sliding noticeably. Pressure that is just slightly below the recommended value, or tread that is barely worn, can significantly increase fuel consumption and extend braking distances. The good news is that proper tyre maintenance takes only a few minutes every couple of weeks.
Why correct pressure matters so much
Tyre pressure directly affects how much of the tyre's surface sits on the road. When pressure is too low, the tyre spreads out and increases the contact patch, which raises rolling resistance and burns more fuel. Just 0.5 bar below the recommended value can increase fuel consumption by 3-5%, and over a full year that adds up noticeably. Beyond fuel economy, an underinflated tyre responds more slowly to steering inputs and transfers braking force less effectively.
Overinflation is no better. The tyre then contacts the road only through the centre of the tread, accelerating wear in the middle, reducing ride comfort and making the vehicle more prone to losing traction on wet surfaces. Every manufacturer specifies the optimal pressure for the front and rear tyres; that figure is usually found on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or in the owner's manual.
How to check tyre pressure
Pressure should always be measured on cold tyres - before setting off, or after the vehicle has been stationary for at least three hours. Driving heats the air inside the tyre and artificially inflates the reading by 0.2-0.4 bar, which can lead to the false conclusion that the tyre is correctly inflated.
To check pressure, use a tyre gauge - available at virtually every petrol station, or you can buy your own pocket gauge for a few convertible marks. The process is straightforward: remove the valve cap, press the gauge onto the valve and read the value. If the pressure is too low, add air and check again. Checking once every three to four weeks is recommended, and always before a long journey.
The spare tyre is frequently forgotten. If you carry a full-size spare, check its pressure too - a spare sitting in the boot can lose air over time just like any other tyre.
Signs that tyres need replacing
The legal minimum tread depth in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 1.6 mm, but that is the threshold below which a vehicle must not be on the road - it is not a recommendation for safe driving. The practical limit for safe driving, especially on wet roads, is 2-3 mm. Below that figure the risk of aquaplaning rises dramatically, because the tread can no longer channel water away from under the tyre quickly enough.
Checking tread depth requires no special tool. A one-pfennig coin has a rim approximately 1.5 mm thick. Insert it into the tread groove. If the rim disappears inside the groove, you still have enough depth. If it remains visible, it is time for a new tyre. A cheap but reliable test.
Beyond tread depth, look for these warning signs:
- Cracks or splits on the tyre sidewall, which indicate ageing of the rubber regardless of how much tread remains.
- Bulges or "lumps" on the sidewall, which are almost always caused by an impact with a pothole or kerb and mean the internal structure of the tyre has been damaged.
- Vibrations when driving on a smooth road surface, which can indicate a deformed tyre or wheel imbalance.
Tyres that are more than six to eight years old should be inspected and likely replaced even if they look fine, because rubber ages and loses elasticity regardless of how much the car has been driven.
Winter and summer tyres: seasonal preparation
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, winter tyres are compulsory from 15 November to 15 April on snow, ice and mud, but it is advisable to fit them earlier if temperatures regularly drop below 7°C. Below that temperature a summer tyre starts to harden and loses grip even on dry tarmac, with no snow or ice involved.
Winter tyres are not just for snow. Their compound stays pliable at low temperatures, meaning better contact with the road surface and shorter stopping distances. A summer tyre on a cold road behaves like a boxing glove on ice - hard and prone to slipping.
When it comes to the seasonal tyre swap, take care to store the tyres you remove properly. Keep them in a cool, dry and dark place, ideally in tyre bags or laid flat if they are still on rims. Direct sunlight and heat accelerate rubber ageing.
Common tyre maintenance mistakes
One of the most frequent mistakes is checking pressure on warm tyres and correcting the reading as if the tyres were cold. This can result in tyres that are actually inflated to a much lower pressure than needed, because the reading was taken when the air inside was already heated.
Another common error is ignoring uneven wear. If a tyre is worn only on one edge, or only in the centre, that is not accidental and the tyre is not the only thing at fault. Wear across both edges points to underinflation, wear in the centre to overinflation, while wear on just one edge often indicates a suspension geometry problem (toe or camber). Replacing the tyre without fixing the underlying cause means the new tyre will be destroyed just as quickly.
Mixing tyres of different construction types on the same axle should also be avoided. Radial and cross-ply tyres have different handling and braking characteristics, and it is not safe to have one of each on the left and right wheels of the same axle.
Regular tyre checks are part of every service at Auto Gas Gaga. If you are not sure how much life is left in your tyres, or you notice uneven wear, come in for an inspection. Check available appointments on the booking page or get in touch via the contact page.