Tyre Safety: Everything you need to know.

October is Tyre Safety month - an annual campaign championed by the charity TyreSafe to raise awareness about the importance of tyre maintenance and safety checks.

So we thought it would be the perfect time to go over some important tyre safety practices.

Tyre Pressure

You need to ensure that your tyres have the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure. This is simply a fundamental aspect of tyre maintenance. One that you should not neglect. So much of the performance of a tyre is reliant on that air pressure. 

To make sure your tyres are in the best possible condition, its recommend that you check them at least once a month. Also, before you go on any long journey. 

Importance Of Tread Depth

Tyre tread depth plays a critical role in ensuring you are safe when driving on the road.

The tread of your tyre directly affects the levels of grip, stability, and its ability to handle different road conditions. This is particularly true for wet road surfaces.

Tread Depth Legal Requirements

The UK's legal minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm – this needs to be the case across 75% of the width of the tread and around the entire circumference.

Checking Tread Depth

To check if your tyres do not meet the legal tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge or a simple yet effective method is to use 20p coin.

To do this, take a 20p coin and insert it into the main tread. Check which part of the 20p is visible. If the outer band is completely hidden within the tread your tread depth is still legal. 

If any part of the outer band remains visible above the tread, it indicates that your tyre's tread depth is below the legal limit. In this case, your tyres may be unsafe, and you need to replace them as soon as possible.

Legal and Safety Consequences

Driving on illegal tyres can result in fines of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points on your driving license. This is per illegal tyre. 

Remember To Check Your Tyres

Don't take chances with your safety or your wallet. Regularly check your tyres for air pressure, tread depth, and overall condition.

If you're uncertain, many garages and tyre fitting centres offer tyre safety checks, providing expert guidance to keep you and your tyres in top shape. Make tyre safety a priority before you drive on the road.