How do I know if my tyres are in good condition?

With your tyres carrying your car from A to B, it is important they are in good condition. By not checking your tyres regularly you are jeopardising your safety on the road through a potential decrease in grip and loss of control. We understand that not everyone knows what basic checks to do and how to do them which is why we are going to tell you in this piece.  

Keeping on top of your tyres tread depth is a legal requirement and if this isn’t regularly maintained you could be left with a £2,500 fine and three penalty points on your licence. Who wants that?

Through a visual inspection, the condition of your tyres can be checked... but what should you look for? 

·         - Cuts 

·         - Tears 

·        -  Bulges 

·         - Any stones and nails in the tyres 

·         - Damage on the sidewall 

If you notice any of these signs, we suggest getting a professional to take a look at your tyres before the conditions worsen.

Let’s now start with what you can do to check the condition of your tyres... 

Tread depth –  

Your tread depth is key in having a good grip on the road-worn down tyres can lead to skidding and loss of control. The legal tread depth is 1.6mm anything less can result in a fine. So how do you check your tread depth? You want to measure from the central ¾ of the tread using a 20p coin or a tread depth gauge. If you’re using a 20p you want the outer rim of the coin to be obscured this will ensure your tread depth is legal.  

Tyre pressure –  

Both overinflating and underinflating your tyres is a safety hazard to you and other road users. At worse this could cause a blowout but usually, it increases fuel consumption and makes them more vulnerable to wear and tear. You can find your recommended tyre pressure in your car's handbook once you know this check your tyre pressure using a reliable tyre pressure gauge when your tyres are cool. 

Overinflated tyres can be hugely costly and damaging. This will lead to a loss of traction and reduce the efficiency of your braking system. You’ll find overinflated tyres lead to heavy and uneven wear across the central part of the tyre, ultimately reducing the tyre lifespan than if it was filled to the correct level of inflation. 

Under-inflated tyres can come around quickly if your tyres aren’t regularly checked. Under-inflated tyres will have uneven contact with the road, therefore, encouraging excessive wear on the edges of your tyres. An increased level of CO2 emissions will be released and more fuel will be used, you’ll also find the rolling resistance will be increased. 

Other things to look out for include general damage to the tyres, jittering movements when driving, pulling to the side and unusual noises.

What can you do to keep your tyres in good condition?

Regularly check the tyre pressure:

It’s recommended that you check your tyre pressure regularly, at least once a month, and before long journeys to reduce the risk of having to call for breakdown assistance and for safety purposes.

Don’t overload your vehicle:

Overloading your car can be dangerous as it can lead to extreme wear on the tyres due to a build-up of heat. Keep in mind how much weight your tyres/vehicle can handle and make sure you don’t exceed the recommended amount.

Ensure safe driving practices:

Excessive, or sudden braking and acceleration can cause your tyres to wear more quickly. This is why it’s important that you practice safe driving, and with this in mind… Avoid sudden braking and drive smoothly, watch for potholes and slow down for speed bumps to help keep your tyres in good condition.

Make sure your tyres are aligned:

Tyres that are not aligned correctly can be problematic. They can result in uneven wear which can make them more susceptible to damage while also reducing the control of your car. 

If you believe your tyres might not be aligned, or you would simply like to check, ask us about our 4-Wheel Alignment service.

If anything in this blog has made you think twice about the health of your tyres, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today as we are here to ensure you’re driving in the safest possible manner to prevent you from sustaining injuries, damaging your car or putting others at risk. 

If any of this resonates with you, or you’re thinking you ‘when was the last time I had my tyres checked?’ Get in contact with us here at Brian Robson Coachworks and one of the members of our experienced team will be able to assist you.