Why is a regular tyre check important? As the only direct connection between car and road, a vehicle’s tyres hold a huge responsibility. They provide the starting point for road safety, and as such need to grip the road, disperse water efficiently, be resilient to wear, hold pressure, and go about their business without making too much noise.
Did you know? TyreSafe is a UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. Toyota is delighted to support the charity’s initiative of dedicating October as Tyre Safety Month.
Laws are in place to help guarantee the safety of pedestrians and road users through strict laws on tyre condition and the setting of a minimum legal tread depth. Tyres are considered a consumable part because they experience wear and tear, and will fail an MoT test or roadside inspection by the police if they are cut, show visible signs of structural damage, or the surface is cracking with age.
Similarly, the depth of a tyre’s tread has a direct bearing on its ability to disperse standing water and grip the road surface effectively. New tyres typically have a tread depth of around 8.0mm and the legal minimum is 1.6mm. However, it has been proved that stopping distances increase dramatically in tyres with a tread depth less than 3.0mm, which is why many organisations now view this figure as the unofficial minimum.
How can you be sure that your car’s tyres are legal and in good condition? The following six steps will help you stay safe and help your tyres forge a strong connection with the ground.
Six ways to check your tyres
- Tread test (main image). Place a 20p coin in the main tread grooves of your tyre (within the central three-quarters of tread). If the outer band of the coin is hidden by the surrounding rubber blocks, your tread is above the legal limit of 1.6mm. However, due to the reduction in braking performance as a tyre wears, many experts recommend changing your tyres when the tread depth falls below 3.0mm.
- Tyre match. Check that the tread pattern, make and model of each tyre is at least the same across each axle, and ideally across all four wheels. This will ensure that you have well-balanced grip.
- Wheel wobble. If your steering wheel vibrates at speed, one or more of your wheels may need balancing or replacing.
- Steering pull. If your car seems to be slowly veering to one side then either your wheel alignment is out, the tyre pressures are unequal, or the treads on the front tyres do not match.
- Sidewall damage. Check the sides of the tyres for any cracks, splits or blisters; this usually happens on older tyres and it means they need replacing.
- Tyre markings. The alphanumeric markings on a tyre’s sidewall can be confusing but contain important information. Details include tyre width, aspect ratio (depth of sidewall), construction, wheel diameter, load index, speed rating, and even manufacturing date. If any of these details do not match those of the other wheels, seek advice from your local Toyota centre.
Regular tyre checks matter. A well-maintained, properly inflated tyre provides better traction, improves fuel efficiency, enhances your overall driving experience, and minimises the risk of accidents by optimising your safety on the road.
Tyre check: Toyota is there to help
Toyota centres offer a free puncture repair service to all Toyota owners. Contact your local dealer to find out more information.
Contents correct at the time and date of publication.
