As a driver it would be your responsibility to ensure that the tyres on your vehicle are safe, legal and roadworthy. If you fail to comply with the minimum regulations it can result in an unwanted fine and points on your license. Or worse still, it could cost you your license or even worse, yours or somone elses life. Isn’t it always best to be safe than sorry?
Tyre checks should be done regularly but atleast once a month. Your vehicle tyres are the only part of the vehicle that makes any contact with the road surface. They play a criticle role in the handling and safety of your vehicle, such as the steering and breaking.
Do you know how to check your tyres for defects and any wear and tear? it is essential that you know!
When doing a visual inspection of your vehicles tyres, things to check for would be:
- Objects embedded in the tread of the tyre.
- Are there any slits, bulges or lumps? this can be caused by impact with a kirb or pothole.
- Check your tread depth in three different locations across the circumference of the tyre to ensure there is no uneven tread wear.
- Tyre tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6mm
- Every vehicle is different so this would also mean tyre pressure would be different too. Check your tyre pressure against the vehicle manufacturers recommended levles. This can be found in the handbook to the vehicle and also on the inside of the door or fuel cap.
- Check your tyre pressure as often as you can but make it atleast once a month.
- If you plan to go on a long journey then check your tyres before leaving.
- Always try and check your tyres when they are cold (minimum of two mile journey).
- If you are carrying a full load, i.e. towing a caravan, pulling a trailer etc. then check the tyre pressure with the manufacturers reccommended levels as it may need increasing.
- Ensure you use a reliable and accurate pressure gauge.
- Have you had to do an emergency stop? did you get your vehicle checked after? this could leave your tyres with a flat spot.
- Do you know how to check your tread depth yourself? This can simply be done with a 20p coin. You place a 20p coin inside the main tread groove of the tyre. If the outter band of the 20p coin is obscured by the tyre then your tyre has adequate tread. If you can see the outer band of the 20p coin then your tyres could be approaching the legal limit and it is advised to book in and have them checked/changed asap.
Stopping distance
With the average speed limit in the UK being 30mph, do you know how long it takes to stop in an emergency at that speed? 23m. How about 50mph? 53m. 70mph? a whooping 96m.
Did you know that in wet conditions it takes twice as long? isn’t that a scary thought.
An even more scarier thought is the stopping distance in icy, snowy conditions. Do you know how much longer it takes to stop? yes, 10x as long to stop on an icy road.
Please be careful when travelling. Any worries or concerns with your tyres please make sure you get your tyres checked ASAP. Tyres online stock a wide range of tyres to suit all driving needs and budgets. They even offer appointments 7 days a week.
***Posted in collaboration with Kwick Fit***
