Tyre Replacement in Dubai

• Tread depth at or below 1.6mm, the UAE legal minimum. Use the 20-fils coin test.
• Tread wear indicator bars are now flush with the tread surface.
• Visible cracks, cuts or bulges on the sidewall.
• Steering wheel vibration at 80–120 km/h, which points to imbalance or internal damage.
• The car pulls left or right under braking, a sign of uneven wear or an alignment fault.
• The tyre is 5 or more years old. Dubai heat degrades rubber even when tread looks fine.
• Repeated slow punctures from the same tyre, a sign the casing is compromised.
• The TPMS warning stays on after inflating to the correct pressure.

Recommended replacement intervals for Dubai

• Replace on age: at 5 years, whatever the tread depth.
• Replace on tread: at 2–3mm for a safety margin. The legal limit is 1.6mm.
• Rotate every 10,000 km. It evens out wear and extends life by 15–20%.
• Check pressure monthly, because Dubai heat makes it fluctuate more.

1. Do the 20-fils coin test. Push a 20-fils coin into the main tread grooves. If you can see the whole face of the coin, tread is at or below 1.6mm, the UAE legal minimum. For safety, replace at 2–3mm.
2. Inspect the sidewalls. Look closely at both the inner and outer sidewalls. Any bulge, blister or deep crack means the tyre should be replaced before you drive again, because sidewall failure at motorway speed is catastrophic.
3. Check the manufacture date. Find the 4-digit DOT code on the sidewall: "2219" means week 22 of 2019. If the tyre is over 5 years old, replace it in Dubai heat regardless of tread depth.
4. Look for uneven wear. Run your hand across the tread. Wear in the centre only means over-inflation, wear on both edges means under-inflation, and wear on one side means an alignment fault. Fix the cause when you replace the tyres.
5. Note warning lights or vibration. A TPMS warning after inflating, or steering vibration above 80 km/h, needs an inspection. Internal belt separation causes vibration before a blowout, so do not ignore it.