Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are projections inside the tread grooves that are intended to give a visual indication of the degree of tread wear. The difference in wet braking distance between a 3mm worn tyre and a 1.6mm worn tyre can be as much as 44%. Be careful when measuring the depth of your tread. Place the penny in several places around the tire. It is not uncommon to have uneven wear of the profile. Measuring in multiple places will compensate for this. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm on a continuous tread that covers the central three-quarters of the tread width and bypasses its entire circumference. There are 3 exceptions to California`s minimum tread depth law: Tire and safety experts believe that the legal minimum of 1.6mm is not enough to ensure safety – most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for tire changes. However, driving with dangerous or faulty tyres also carries the risk of a fine of up to £2,500 and three points on their licence.
At a lower tread depth, less water can be moved, increasing the risk of aquaplaning and loss of grip. The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm in a continuous strip that covers the central three-quarters of the tread width and its entire outer perimeter. In wet weather, tread grooves help remove water from the contact surface between your tires and the road surface, allowing your car to brake, steer and accelerate properly. Temporary-use spare tires are often different in size than standard road tires and usage restrictions apply. Failure to follow the instructions in the vehicle manual and/or on the spare wheel or tire sidewall can have serious consequences. Do not exceed the recommended speed limit when using a spare tire for temporary use and respect the minimum air pressure. Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet roads, but wet grip usually decreases as tread depth approaches the legal minimum. Motorists should take this into account and reduce speed when driving in the wet. For the same reason, motorists may consider replacing tires before the tread depth reaches the legal minimum.
Many cars are now equipped with a temporary breakdown repair kit instead of a spare tire. Check the owner`s manual and remember that this is only a temporary repair, not a permanent one. Tires should not be used on damaged, deformed or modified rims. This could lead to tire damage, deflation and possible loss of vehicle control. The tread shall meet this minimum requirement over its entire circumference. If the safety risks do not manifest themselves, will it perhaps be the risk of a £2,500 fine and three penalty points for a worn tyre? Remember: – Check the tread depth of all four tires – Check the interior, center and exterior tires. Just take a 20p piece and stick it into the grooves of the tire`s tread. In California, a main groove is a circumferential groove.4 These often have profile wear indicators. These indicators are flatter sections of the tread groove. They can be used to visually determine tire wear.
This also applies to tires. If all four tyres are worn below the legal limit, you risk losing your licence and facing a £10,000 fine. For more information on tires, read our complete guide to buying tires or our complete guide to tire safety and maintenance. The test procedure for tyre treads on other axles is similar. However, he uses the penny test instead. Motorists can grab a penny from Abraham Lincoln`s chest and slip his head into a circumferential groove. The distance between the edge of the penny and the tip of Lincoln`s head is 2/32 of an inch. If its entire head protrudes on the sides of the tire groove, the tread is too worn. The tread depth of the tire is too small for vehicle code 27465(b).
These are the minimum depths of legal profile under California law. Getting new front tires so little tread is safer and can prevent an accident and possible grip. A shallow tread depth can be disastrous for your driving, including: Yes, it is dangerous to drive with worn tires. Bald tires or those with very little or no tread depth have a longer braking distance. They are also more likely: car tyre repairs can only be carried out by a tyre specialist and according to the current British standard AU159. Permanent repairs can only be done after the tire has been removed from the wheel to allow for thorough inspection both inside and outside to ensure there is no hidden damage that could lead to catastrophic failure. A tire tread check begins with a thorough visual inspection. Start by turning the steering wheel to see the entire surface of the tread.
They look for signs of irregular wear that could affect one area of the tread more than another. If the tires wear evenly, you need to determine if you have enough tread on your tire. Book a free tire check A quick visual check of your tread depth can be done by simply looking at the wear indicators you find in the grooves of the tread pattern. However, a more accurate and reliable way is to use a depth gauge. It is small enough to fit in the glove compartment and gives an accurate measurement of the tread depth of your tires. Use a profile depth gauge – a tool that gives you a quick and easy-to-read measurement.