When we are practising to drive, many instructors state the importance of checking your tyre conditions regularly as it’s so important but, when was the last time you checked your tyres?
Many people forget the importance of having road-worthy tyres which results in the task of getting a tyre change pushed to the bottom of their to-do list. If your tyres are too worn then they have less grip on the road resulting in your car having an increased stopping time and a much higher chance of losing control when behind the wheel.
That’s why our tyre specialists have put together this list of signs that your car tyres need replacing.
Tread Depth
Your tyre’s tread depth has a legal limit of 1.6mm and once the tread depth is lower, you risk facing serious legal consequences. For each tyre that is below the legal limit, you can face up to £2,500 in penalty points so if all 4 tyres are lower than 1.6mm, that’s £10,000 in fines! Not only will you be fined, you risk losing your driving licence.
We strongly suggest once your tyre tread depth reaches below 3mm, you get a tyre change. The penalties are so severe for a reason. Driving with tyre tread depth lower than the legal limit puts you and other motorists at serious risk as this increases the risk of your car aquaplaning and losing grip.
Driving with low tread depth is like trying to run in wet, rainy conditions with trainers that are worn with no grip. You risk the chance of slipping over and it takes much more energy and time to stop.
Keep on reading to find an easy method to tell if your car’s tread depth is too low.
Tyres Cracking
Cracks on the sidewalls of your tyres form due to the chemicals and oils that the tyre is made from start to deteriorate. Cracking in your tyres can result in the tread of the tyre being separated or even a tyre blow out which can be extremely dangerous, especially when travelling at high speeds.
If you notice any cracking in the sidewalls of your tyres then you should get this checked out immediately. Go to your local tyre repairs garage and avoid driving any more than necessary until a specialist has assessed the condition of your tyres. Autocentres is a tyre specialise garage based in Newport which offers free tyre checks.
Age of Your Tyres
Car tyres last around 5 years on average if purchased new before they start becoming too unsafe to use. After around 5 years, cracks and bulges may start to appear which may result in a tyre blowout. Tread depth will also likely be too low at this point as well.
Although some tyres may hold up longer than 5 years, it’s still worth getting a tyre replacement to be on the safe side. As well as time, you should also get a tyre replacement every 25,000 miles. After your car has travelled this distance with the same tyres, this is when they start becoming too worn out to be considered safe for the roads.
Please bear in mind, that 5 years and 25,000 miles are just rough guides and are good to go from if you haven’t had any issues with your car tyres. If you need a tyre replacement before 5 years of using the tyres, or if you have done less than 25,000 miles then please do so!
Tyres Making Strange Noises
Your car making strange noises can cause worry and stress, especially if it’s sudden and occurs whilst you’re driving. If your car is making weird noises, visit your local car garage as soon as possible, especially if the noise is coming from the tyres.
It’s common for car tyres to make a weird noise when they are punctured or are starting to crack. This is due to air escaping the tyre and there is a change in air compression.
If your tyre is making strange noises, you should get this checked out as soon as possible because if ignored, and the car is still used, this may also result in a tyre blowout.
How to Check Tyre Tread Depth
As previously mentioned, the legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm but you should seriously consider getting a tyre change when it’s below 3mm. One way to test if you need a tyre change is the 20p test.
It’s a simple test you can take if you don’t own a tread depth gauge. Take a 20p coin and insert it between the tread grooves on your tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin then your tyres are above the legal limit. On the contrary, if you can see the outer band of the coin then your tyres are below the legal limit and you should seriously consider seeing a tyre specialist.
Tyre Specialists in Newport
Autocentres are tyre specialists based in Newport that offer a range of services from tyre fitting and replacement, tyre repairs and wheel balancing. We offer a FREE tyre inspection to assess the condition of your tyres to see if you may need a replacement.
If you are unsure of the conditions of your tyres then please visit our tyre garage in Newport for a free tyre inspection and we will be able to provide you with our specialist advice. You can also contact our Newport branch at 01633 244 474 to speak with a member of the team.
