TyrePlus Blog

When it comes to your car tyres, it can be easy to assume that they’re in good working order. However, you might not necessarily be aware of a problem unless you go out of your way to look for it. In this blog, we explore a few ways to check if your car tyres are safe and what to do if something doesn’t seem quite right.

Check your tyre tread depth

Making sure each tyre on your car has enough tread depth is essential for your road safety. There are lots of reasons why tread depth is so important. For example, a sufficient amount of tread depth is vital so that your car can grip the road properly. This is especially important in wet conditions and is one of the most vital checks you can carry out. If you don’t have enough tread depth, you could significantly increase your chances of having an accident while you’re out and about.

The law

In the UK, the law states that each tyre on a car must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. If you’re stopped by the police and it’s found that one or more of your tyres has a tread depth below this legal limit, you could expect to be fined £2,500 and receive three penalty points per tyre. So, aside from being crucial for your safety when you’re behind the wheel, making sure each of your tyres has sufficient tread depth could save you a lot of hassle with the law.

How to check your tyre tread depth

To check your tyre tread depth, you can use a special tool called a tread depth gauge. This device is designed to give you a quick, accurate measurement of an individual tyre and will help you determine if your tyre is above the legal minimum or not.

Alternatively, you could use the ‘20p test’. Slot a 20p into the groove of the tyre and establish if you can still see the outer strip of the coin or not. If you can’t see it, your tyre tread depth is over the legal limit. However, if you can see the outer strip, it’s likely the tyre is unsafe and needs replacing.

Measure your tyre pressure

The pressure of each of your tyres plays an important part in your road safety. Without the right amount of pressure in your tyres, you could risk not being in complete control of your vehicle. In fact, under or over inflated tyres can seriously impact the handling and grip of your car. This can be especially dangerous when you’re driving at high speeds, such as on a motorway, so it’s vital that you check your tyre pressure regularly.

How to measure your tyre pressure

First of all, you’ll need to find out the correct pressure for your tyres. This should be stated in your car’s manual and will be referred to as pounds per inch (PSI).

Once you know the PSI for your vehicle, you will be able to measure each tyre. You can do this with a digital pressure gauge. Using this device is quick and easy, and it will enable you to  work out if you need to inflate or deflate your tyres. For an accurate reading, make sure you perform this check when your tyres are cold.

Look out for signs of wear and tear

There’s no denying that your tyres go through a lot on a daily basis, so it’s perfectly normal for them to suffer some general wear and tear. However, unless you go out of your way to look for it, you might not be aware of any damage, meaning that you could be driving around with unsafe tyres. This means it’s important that you get into the habit of inspecting your tyres regularly. When you’re checking them over, take your time to look at the surface, keeping an eye out for cuts, bulges and signs of cracking in the sidewall. You should also use your hand to feel the tyre for anything that might have become embedded into the rubber.

If you spot or feel something that you’re not sure about, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a professional and replaced if necessary.

Understanding wheel alignment and balancing

You may have heard of wheel alignment and wheel balancing before but not needed to give them much thought. However, it pays to have some understanding of them to keep your tyres in tip-top condition.

Wheel alignment

Wheel alignment refers to adjusting the position of the wheels to ensure that they are at a 90° angle to the road surface and parallel with each other. Making sure your wheels are correctly aligned will maximise the life of your tyres, as well as help your vehicle to keep a straight line on the roads.

There are a few tell tale signs that can help you detect if your tyres aren’t properly aligned. For example, if they have worn quickly and unevenly or if your steering wheel pulls to one side when you’re driving, this could indicate that your wheel alignment is out.

Wheel balancing

Wheel balancing enables your car tyres and wheels to rotate without vibrating. The balance of your wheels is determined by inspecting for any heavy spots on both the wheel and tyre. These flaws are counteracted by installing a balancing weight on the opposite side of the wheel from where the heavy spot is.

If your wheel is out of balance, you may notice a scalloped or cupped shape wear pattern on the tyres. You may also notice vibrations in your steering wheel, your seat or from underneath the vehicle, especially when you’re travelling at high speeds.

Should you suspect that your wheel alignment or balance isn’t right, it’s important to get your car checked out as soon as possible by a professional.

As a motorist, it’s crucial that you’re aware of the importance of having roadworthy tyres and what you can do to ensure the safety of yourself and other drivers.