Top Five Tips to Check Your Tyres Are Safe & Legal

01 October 2014

You should check the condition of your tyres on a regular basis. This is not only to ensure the safety of the vehicle but to also make sure your tyres are legal and you are fully insured.

So what are the top five tips to follow when you are checking your tyres?

1. Tread depth – the legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm but ideally you should change you tyres well before they reach the legal minimum. This is because wet grip deteriorates rapidly and stopping distances increase in the second half of a tyres tread life.

2. Tyre pressures – correct tyre pressures are vital for safety, braking, grip and tyre life. The vehicle handbook has the recommended pressures for your car and you should check your tyre pressures cold as there is an increase in pressure when the tyre has warmed up. Do this at least every two weeks using a reliable and accurate tyre pressure gauge.

3. Irregular wear – wear on the tread shoulders can be a sign of prolonged under-inflation and over inflation increases the wear on the tread centre. If you see signs of irregular wear or lumps/bulges consult a tyre specialist. 

4. Overall tyre condition – frequently check the overall condition of your tyres and clean away any objects stuck in the tread centre. If you see signs of irregular wear or lumps/bulges consult a tyre specialist.

5. Don’t forget to check the spare tyres – make sure you check the spare tyre is in good condition and the correct pressure when you check your main tyres.  It is better to discover a problem with the spare when you are at home or a garage than not being able to replace a damaged tyre at the roadside.