Added: 08 October 2021
October is national tyre safety month. During the month long campaign motorists will be asked ‘What’s stopping you?’
An estimated one in five drivers have never checked the tread on their tyres. Regular tyre safety checks reduce the risks of an incident on the roads, while checking and maintaining tyres reduces the cost of motoring as underinflated tyres wear quicker and cause the vehicle to use more fuel.
There are a number of checks you can do to reduce the risks of a tyre-related incident.
The 20P Test
The current UK law states that tyre tread on cars must be a minimum of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread around the entire circumference of the tyre.
A quick and easy way to see if your tyre tread is above the legal limit is to take the 20p test.
Simply place a 20p coin into the main tread of your tyre. If the outer band is obscured when it is inserted then your tread is above the legal limit. If the outer band of the coin is visible then your tyres tread may be illegal and unsafe and should be checked immediately by a qualified professional.
Remember to check at least three locations around each tyre. Stay safe by checking your tyre tread at least once a month.
How to check your tyre condition
It’s vital to keep an eye on the condition of your tyres, as they are on constant contact with the road and can suffer a lot of wear and tear.
Tyres should be inspected frequently removing stones and other embedded objects from the tread. If the tyre has lumps or bulges it must be examined by a qualified professional as these could indicate internal damage.
How to check your tyre pressure
If your tyres are under or over inflated then handling and grip will be impacted potentially causing unpredictable car behaviour. Under inflated tyres are more likely to suffer from sudden deflation and will suffer premature wear on the outside edge of the tyre. Over inflated tyres give a less comfortable ride and have a reduced contact area with the road resulting in less grip and increased wear on the tread centre.
Your tyre pressures are in your manufacturers’ handbook, as well as being inside the fuel cap or driver’s door sill. Many tyre retailers will also be able to provide this information.
For more information check the tyre safe website
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