Car tyre repairs can only be carried out by a tyre specialist and in accordance with the UK standard AU159 in force. 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. Our qualified technicians will perform a complete inspection of your tires to check the overall condition of the tires and ensure that tread depths meet minimum legal requirements. They also check if tire pressure is maintained – as recommended by your manufacturer. The results of your tire inspection will be detailed in a written report for your convenience. 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. It is very important to know how much tread depth you still have on your tires. The easiest way to check this is to look for tread wear indicators inserted into the main tread of the tire. These are tire rubber rods or blocks inserted into the main grooves along the contact surface of the tire. These turn signals have a smaller profile than your main contact surfaces, so once your treads are flush with them, it`s probably time to replace your tires. UK law requires your vehicle to be fitted with roadworthy tyres suitable for its intended use.
Tyres are the only thing that keeps a vehicle in contact with the road and many vehicles are idle for long periods during Covid-19 lockdowns and other restrictions. Today, more than ever, it is essential that drivers regularly check their tires and, if in doubt about their fitness to drive, have them checked by a professional pneumatic technician. Once you have determined the correct tire pressure, each tire should be checked individually with a pressure gauge to determine if it needs to be inflated or drained. 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. Highways England`s advice is simple; Check your tire pressure and the condition of your tires, including the spare tire, before embarking on a long trip.
Watch for cuts or wear and tear and make sure the tires have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit. To check your tire pressure, visit most gas stations that have an air machine to check and inflate your tire pressure. For more information on tires, read our complete guide to buying tires or our complete guide to tire safety and maintenance. It`s easy to forget to check if your car is ready for a long drive, especially if you haven`t used it much lately. It`s important to take some time before you leave to check your fuel, oil, coolant and screen wash levels, and most importantly, your tires. Simple and regular checks of your tyres will ensure that you are safe and legal when driving in the UK. Book a FREE safety inspection at one of our welcoming stores today. Another easy way to measure tread depth. You can use the 20p test quick and easy. Insert a 20p part into the lowest tread depth of your tires.
If you can`t see the outer edge around the edge of the part, your tire is safe and has a tread depth of at least 3mm. If you can see the rim, your tread is less than 3mm and should be checked by a professional. The condition of your tires should be checked regularly. They should be inspected visually for signs of damage such as cuts, fractures and abrasions. If treads have been penetrated by an object, they can often be repaired safely and inexpensively. When checking tires, look for stones or other objects stuck in the treads and check for damage. The tread depth must be greater than 1.6 mm to be legal. This must be the case for three-quarters of the middle of the tyre. Remember: – Check the tread depth of all four tires – Check the interior, center and exterior tires. If you are involved in an accident and the car you are driving has illegal or bald tires, you need to be aware of the consequences.
If the tire is flush with these, it is below the legal limit and must be replaced. In heavy rain, each tire can move a gallon of water every second, which shows how hard tires work. Another way to test the depth of your tread if you don`t have wear indicators or are not yet sure is to run the 20p test. The raised outer edge around a 20p part is just under 3mm wide, so if you can`t see that edge when you insert the part into your treads, they`re at least 3mm deep and therefore meet the legal parameters well. No. Neither repairs to externally applied caps nor liquid sealants can be considered permanent repairs. Tyre manufacturers cannot be held responsible for problems arising from their use. For repairs on run-flat self-supporting tires, contact the respective tire manufacturer. Do you know the laws on tires? Do you know what your responsibility is as a driver to make sure your car`s tires are safe? The tread depth of a new tyre on an SUV is practically the same as that of a new car tyre – usually between 7mm and 9mm depending on the tyre model – while the legal limit in the UK for tread size is 1.6mm. In an ideal world, you should check the depth and tread pressure of your tire at least once every two weeks and at least once a month. Safe and correct walks are crucial, especially over long distances and on motorways. Book a free tire check More tread means more grip.
Keep in mind that although the legal limit is 1.6mm, anything less than 3mm can seriously affect performance and safety. High-end tire manufacturers mold TWIs into the design of the tire tread pattern. It is easy to identify; It consists of six or more small frictions on the underside of the main tread grooves, which are usually 1.6 mm to 2 mm above the base of the groove. The legal limit of 1.6 mm is reached when the tire is worn at the tread wear indicators in the main groove – as soon as this happens, the tire must be replaced. Book a free tyre check 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 circumference. 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. For safety reasons, it is recommended to replace the tires of your car before the legal limit is reached. Many car manufacturers recommend replacement at 3 millimeters, since the braking distance increases significantly below this depth. At 1.6 millimeters in wet weather, it takes two extra car lengths (8 meters) to stop at 50 miles per hour, compared to a tread of 3 millimeters. Only one in six drivers remember checking their tyre pressure before embarking on a long journey, according to a study commissioned by Highways England. Yet one in five breakdowns on the road is caused by worn or improperly inflated tires, and nearly a third of drivers admitted they`re not sure about checking tire pressure.
However, if you can see the tape and this part of the part is still visible, your tires could be dangerous and require professional inspection by a mechanic. 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.