Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial, as too low or too high tire pressure can quickly increase wear and affect your car`s handling. These are custom tools that quickly measure the depth of a single tire groove. Tyre fitting and repair should only be carried out by a qualified tyre specialist who has the necessary equipment and expertise. Improper installation can lead to driver injuries and damage to tires and rims. Wheels should be balanced or replaced based on tire pressure. The correct pressures for your car`s tires can be found in the fuel filler door or in your owner`s manual. If possible, use the same pressure gauge to keep all readings consistent and check them weekly. For more information on tires, read our complete guide to buying tires or our complete guide to tire safety and maintenance. Driving with worn tires is not only a serious risk, but also a costly safety risk. In the UK, the penalty for bald tyres is £2,500 plus three points on your driving licence per tyre, so it`s very important to check them every month for signs of damage or wear. It is important that the rim and tyre dimensions comply with the tyre manufacturer`s recommendations and that the assembly is approved equipment for the vehicle concerned.
This means fitting the right tires and making sure they aren`t damaged for safety reasons. You should also make sure that the tires are inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Learn more about tire law basics below. Tyre and safety experts believe that the legal minimum of 1.6mm is not enough to ensure safety – most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for tyre changes. The tread shall meet this minimum requirement over its entire circumference. A tire tread forms the small grooves and burrs that run along the perimeter of a tire`s rubber surface. These may not seem like much, but they are absolutely necessary. Without sufficient tread depth, your tires may not function properly in wet conditions, reducing your safety on the road.
It is therefore advisable to consider replacing your tires well before they reach the legal minimum. In addition, drivers whose tyres do not meet the minimum tread depth requirements face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. Car tyre repairs can only be carried out by a tyre specialist and in accordance with the UK standard AU159 in force. Permanent repairs can only be done after the tire has been removed from the wheel to allow for thorough inspection both inside and outside to ensure there is no hidden damage that could lead to catastrophic failure. The 20p test is a simple, quick and easy way to check the tread pattern of your car`s wheels. Book a free tire check and one of our qualified technicians will not only check the tread depth of your tire, but will also perform a pressure check and check for wear and damage. UK law requires your vehicle to be fitted with tyres that are roadworthy and fit for purpose. Most tires have tread wear indicators, which are hard, raised handlebars at the bottom of each groove – tires have reached their legal limit when the tread is at the same level as this handlebar. However, it is better not to rely solely on this indicator, as uneven tire wear is a common problem. Temporary-use spare tires are often different in size than standard road tires and usage restrictions apply.
Failure to follow the instructions in the vehicle manual and/or on the spare wheel or tire sidewall can have serious consequences. Do not exceed the recommended speed limit when using a spare tire for temporary use and respect the minimum air pressure. A tire tread check begins with a thorough visual inspection. Start by turning the steering wheel to see the entire surface of the tread. They look for signs of irregular wear that could affect one area of the tread more than another. If the tires wear evenly, you need to determine if you have enough tread on your tire. Book a free tire check A quick visual check of your tread depth can be done by simply looking at the wear indicators you find in the grooves of the tread pattern.