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The theme for Tyre Safety Month to be held during this October is “Under Pressure” and is shining a spotlight on how stress, busy schedules and financial pressures can easily push vehicle safety checks to the bottom of the “to do” list. However, by overlooking your tyres it doesn’t just cost you money, it can cost lives too:
It is always advisable to regularly check your tyres for any signs of visible damage, wear and tear. Check for cuts, cracks, irregular or uneven wear across the tyre including smooth spots, bulges, blisters, gouges, tears or loose parts, protruding items (e.g. nails!) and any exposed metal wiring - all can adversely affect the structural strength and stability of the tyre and put you at greater risk of a potential blowout, plus driving with significant sidewall damage can result in failing an MOT and can lead to fines and penalty points on your licence.
Always check the age of your tyres too – use the Department of Transport (DOT) Code imprinted on the sidewall of the tyre. The DOT code indicates the tyre manufacturer and the date of manufacture (with the last four digits identifying the production week and year).It is typically recommended to replace car tyres between six and ten years old and it is important to resolve any alignment or balance issues too with an alignment and geometry check, to ensure even wear and safer driving.
On a monthly basis, aim to check the tread depth on at least 3 spots around the tyre. If you don’t have a Tyre Tread Depth Gauge to hand, you can use “The 20p Test”. Insert the coin in the main/deep grooves of the tyre tread – if the outer band of the coin is NOT visible then your tyre is ABOVE the legal limit. However, if the outer band IS visible, then it may be unsafe and potentially ILLEGAL. Low tread is not only another MOT failure, it can mean a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre and 3 points on your licence (that’s up to £10,000 and 12 penalty points if all 4 tyres are illegal!), so if you’re in any doubt, always get them checked by qualified tyre specialists.
Tyre treads are designed to disperse and clear water away, to help maintain tyre grip and traction in wet conditions. As tread wears, or water depth increases, the grip is reduced and can cause a temporary loss of traction, leading to a loss of control with the steering, braking and accelerating (called “aquaplaning”). Stopping distances are significantly increased in these conditions, so it’s important to always slow down when driving in the rain (or through water) and to check tread depth regularly - ideally monthly.
Incorrect tyre pressure, whether over or under-inflated, can negatively affect safety and performance. Over-inflation tends to wear tyres more in the centre, making a firmer ride and increases the risk of blowouts. Under-inflation normally wears the outer edges of the tyre, causing lower fuel efficiency, overheating and again increases the risk of blowouts.
Always follow the pressure specifications provided for your vehicle – consult your vehicle’s owner manual or use the tyre information placard* to find the correct pressure (*it’s often found on the inside of the driver’s side doorframe).When tyres are cold (i.e. before driving or after parking for a few hours), use a Tyre Pressure Gauge to ensure the levels are correct – adjust as necessary to the recommended levels to ensure safe and optimal performance.
For further details or to make a booking, contact your nearest Waylands retailer.
All data sourced from https://www.tyresafe.org/. Correct at time of publishing.