Alright, you’ve probably seen it before – you’re having a look at your tyres (maybe you’re stopped at Countdown on Anglesea Street, or just doing a check before heading out to Morrinsville), and you spot something shiny poking through the rubber. Sometimes people pop into Grimmer Motors with a worried look and say, “Hey, is that wire showing in my tyre?”
If that’s what’s going on with your car, let’s have a quick yarn about what it means and what you need to do.
What’s that wire doing in my tyre?
Tyres aren’t just rubber. Underneath the tread (that’s the part that contacts the road), there are strong steel belts. These steel belts help keep the tyre stiff and shaped right, so you’ve got good grip whether you’re cruising down Te Rapa Road or bouncing through the potholes out Glenview way. They also add some protection if you run over a stray nail or bit of glass near Rototuna.
The steel gives the tyre strength, keeps the shape proper, and helps your tyre make the right contact with our rough NZ roads — especially after a hot summer or a soggy, muggy Hamilton winter when the roads can be coated in grime. Here’s a quick look at the belt system in a tyre if you want the details (or you want to sound clever next time you’re at a BBQ). 
Why are the wires suddenly showing?
Usually means your tread’s just worn too thin. Hamilton traffic does a number on tyres – constant stopping and starting along Peachgrove Road or big temperature swings in Whatawhata can wear them out faster than you think. Here’s a few reasons why we see wires making an appearance:
Overinflated tyres
If you’ve been pumping too much air in (maybe you trust those dodgy petrol station gauges a bit too much), the middle of your tread wears out faster. That can strip the rubber away until the wires poke through. Always check you’re at the right tyre pressure for your car – especially on things like Mazda CX-5s or that Suzuki Swift your daughter’s learning to drive in.
Underinflated tyres
On the flipside, running too little air means the edges of your tyres wear down. We’ve seen plenty of Honda CR-Vs or VW Golf owners from Cambridge in for premature edge wear when they’re commuting in from out of town. When the rubber wears thin enough, the wires show up around the sides.
Wheel alignment issues 
Had a few too many potholes out on Peachgrove or Wairere Drive? If your tyres aren’t aligned right, they’ll wear unevenly — audi A4, Toyota Hiace van, Nissan Qashqai, doesn’t matter what you drive. You might see:
- Feathering: Tread lower on one side. Can be alignment or toe/caster issues.
- Heel/toe wear: One side of each tread block worn more — classic if your toe is out of spec.
- One-sided shoulder wear: Whole outer edge more worn (often comes from camber problems, or, let’s be real, driving the family Kia Sportage a bit too hard into roundabouts).
What should you do if those wires are showing?
Honestly? Stop driving till it’s sorted. If the wires are visible, you’ve lost too much rubber — safety is out the window. The legal minimum in NZ is 1.5mm tread, but if you can see wires you’re way below that. Tyres with wires showing can’t be repaired, they have to be replaced. Keep driving and you could have a blowout. That’s a trip to the panel beater (or worse) and a definite fail on your next WOF Hamilton check.
Trouble with your tyres in Hamilton?
If you’re anywhere around Hamilton, from Raglan to Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu, or even Huntly, swing by Grimmer Motors. Whether you’re driving a Lexus RX450h hybrid, SsangYong Actyon, or a trusty old Corolla, we’ll check it out and sort you with honest advice. We see heaps of these issues, especially after a busy winter or a scorcher of a summer. We’ll let you know if you need a replacement or other car service Hamilton work, and we’ll have you back on the road safely in no time.