Are Your Tyres Legal?

Do you check your tyre pressure and tread depth before you set off on a long journey? If you do you’re in the minority. According to Highways England, only 1 in 6 drivers check their wheels before embarking on a road trip with 1 in 5 breakdowns caused by worn or incorrectly inflated tyres.

That’s why it’s important to conduct regular tyre checks to ensure your tyre pressure and tyre tread are safe and legal before travelling.

Did you know…?

Driving with under or over-inflated tyres can affect your braking, tracking, fuel efficiency and suspension. Resulting in you shelling out more money on increased fuel consumption and replacing other parts under increased strain.

Tyre Laws UK

There are strict UK laws that dictate how the tyres on your vehicle should be maintained to ensure your motor is road safe.

• Tyres need to be the correct type and size for your vehicle.
• Tyre tread depth must not fall below 1.6mm but it’s advised you don’t let them fall below 3mm.
• The tyres on your vehicle should be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure.
• You can receive a fine of £2500 per tyre and get 3 points on your licence if caught driving on illegal tyres. (That’s £10,000 and your licence if all four tyres don’t meet the minimum tread depth.)

What’s more, not taking care of your tyres puts you and other road users at risk. And if you have an accident driving on illegal tyres your insurance claim will be invalidated.

So, how do you go about checking the condition of your tyres?

Tyre Checks

Carry out a visual inspection of your tyres – look for cuts, tears or bulges. Ensure there are no stones or nails in your tyres and look out for damage to the side wall. Do this at least once a month or if you hit a pothole or kerb.

Check your Tyre Pressure

For an accurate measurement, always check tyre pressures when tyres are cool. You’ll need to use a pressure gauge to get your measurement – you can buy one or visit a petrol station to check your pressure. Be aware that every car has different recommended tyre pressures. These are usually found inside the driver’s door or inside the petrol cap. Sometimes the weather or the load of the vehicle can change the recommended tyre pressures.

• Unscrew the valve cap on the tyre and attach the gauge to you’re your reading.
• If the reading is below the recommended pressure, inflate your tyres as necessary. If the reading is higher you’ll need to let some air out.
• Once you’ve adjusted the pressures as required, remove the gauge quickly to ensure no air escapes and replace the valve cap.
• Check the pressure of each tyre including your spare tyre.
• Try to remember to do this at least once a month.

Tyre Tread

When the tread of your tyre starts to wear down your car’s grip on the road is reduced. This means your braking distance increases and you also run the risk of skidding or aquaplaning.

Once your tread gets to the legal minimum you must replace your tyres for the safety of yourself, other drivers and pedestrians. A number of manufacturers will recommend you replace your tyres when they get to 3mm, as performance drops when they go below this tread depth.

Check Your Tyre Tread Depth

There’s a simple way of checking tread depth with a 20 pence piece.

• Place the 20p coin between the grooves in the tyre.
• If the outer rim of the coin isn’t visible your tread depth is within the legal limits.
• If the outer rim of the coin is visible, the tread depth of your tyre is likely below the legal minimum.
• It’s advisable to get a professional to check them and replace them if necessary.
• Check tread depth once a month to ensure your tyres remain within the legal limits.

Need New Tyres Beaconsfield? Visit Auto Medics Today!

Good tyres are vital for a safe, comfortable ride. If you’ve carried out the vital checks and suspect you need new tyres, get in touch with us. Here at Auto Medics near Beaconsfield, we supply and fit most brands of tyres at competitive prices. Need more information? Contact us on 01494 533 534 today!