Car tyres are often forgotten about until the driver get’s a puncture or bald tyre tread, but it’s important to make sure you’re regularly checking your vehicle’s tyres; otherwise you can run into some serious issues.
Flat tyres, bald tyres or over-pumped tyres are extremely dangerous, and it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure the tyres he or she is using are up to the legal requirements. Tyre tread essentially signals the health of a tyre, and an ‘unhealthy’ tyre will have a depth of at least 1.6mm. Any tread below 1.6 can reduce grip significantly, and you can actually lose your entire licence (12 points) in the UK if each of your tyres is below the required depth.
Tyre sizes vary from vehicle to vehicle, and the right size is also important, while it’s beneficial to have your wheels aligned when you have new tyres fitted. Punctures should always be dealt with quickly, and this will often mean replacing the tyre.
There are different types of tyres to choose from for many vehicles, and quite often cars can be fitted with budget tyres, performance tyres, summer tyres and winter tyres, and the choice will depend on your own driving style.
It can be relatively easy to notice when your tyres are not performing as well as they should, and if you feel your vehicles pulling to one side, or your car slipping in dry conditions, then it’s a sign that you may need replacement tyres.
Many vehicles have tyres and tread wear indicators moulded into the base of the main grooves, and when the surface is won to the level of the indicator, then it is at the legal limit and it needs to be replaced.
Make sure your vehicle is running well on a good set of tyres, rather than compromising on your own safety, the safety of your passengers and other road users. If you’re regularly driving long distances then performance tyres may be ideal, and they can offer more durability than budget tyres, while they last significantly longer.