It Pays To Check
One of the most important parts of car maintenance is regular tyres checks – The reason for this isn’t just to keep your vehicle legal, as poorly maintained tyres affect ride quality, can impact on other parts of the vehicle and also reduces the fuel efficient of your vehicle.
Avoid a driving ban – Don’t forget the only thing connecting your car to the road is your tyres! Badly worn tyres means you’ll increase your stopping distance and you’ll also face up to a £10,000 fine. Most people don’t realise that you can receive a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre and 3 points. This means you could face a ban and a £10,000 fine for the most severe of cases.
Know the legal tyre tread depth – The minimum legal tyre tread depth in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm, which must run across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Organisations that have researched stopping distances such as MIRA, have found that they increase dramatically once tyres fall below 3mm of tread depth. This is exacerbated by adverse driving conditions where ice or rain are involved. In heavy rain tyres with a good tread depth can displace in excess of one gallon of water every second. The lower the tread, the less water can be displaced.
Listen to the experts – Although experts believe that 1.6mm is enough to ensure the safety of your vehicle, many recommend you should have a minimum of 3mm of tread depth on your tyres. This will provide higher levels of grip and safety while driving around.
Call for a FREE check – If you’re uncertain on how to check your tyre tread depth properly call in for a free tyre inspection. No appointment is needed.
We look forward to keeping you safely on the move!