Tyre Care and Maintenance
If you take the time to look after your tyres they will help look after you. Checking your tyres takes only a couple of minutes but will help ensure your safety, drive down your costs of motoring and provide peace of mind that you are on the right side of the law.
Your tyres don't just wear because of age and use. There are a number of other contributing factors such as harsh braking, incorrect tyre inflation and tyre damage that can reduce the lifespan of the tyres fitted on your vehicle.
Here at Charles Trent we recommend checking your tyres at least once a month and if possible every two weeks. Doing this will help you spot a problem and take action before it causes you stress later on down the line. When you carry out your tyre checks we recommend that you include the following:
Tyre Pressures
Correctly inflated tyres lead to better road handling, improved fuel efficiency and longer lasting tyres. If you have a modern foot pump you can use this to check your tyres are correctly inflated. If you don't have a pump to hand almost all petrol stations have an air compressor available to help you correctly inflate your tyres. Even better, if you are nearby to a Charles Trent site drive in and we will check your tyres for FREE. There's no need to book.
Find Your Vehicle's Tyre Pressures
It is now commonplace for vehicles to display tyre inflation pressure information on the driver's side door jamb (B Pillar). If it cannot be found in this location in your vehicle you can also check the rear passenger door jamb, fuel filler door, glove box, centre console or the engine compartment. If for any reason you cannot find the tyre pressure information you need in these locations you can always consult your manufacturer handbook or contact our tyres team who will be able to assist.
Impact of Incorrect Tyre Pressures
Under Inflated Tyres
• Increased risk of tyres overheating
• Excessive wear on the inside and outside edges of tread
• Reduced fuel efficiency as rolling resistance is increased
Over Inflated Tyres
• Compromise vehicle's handling as contact patch between tyres and road is reduced
• Longer braking distances
• Excess wear on the centre part of the tyre
Tread Depth
As part of your regular tyre checks you will need to measure the tread depth to ensure that it is above the UK legal minimum of 1.6mm which includes the the central 3/4 of the width of they tyre and the tyre's entire circumference. Failing to replace your tyres when they reach the legal limit not only jeopardises vehicle safety but will also result in a fine and penalty points on your licence.
Checking Tread Depth
You can check the tread depth of your tyre by placing your finger in the main tread groove. If you run your finger along this area you should feel a small raised notch. If your tyre has reached this notch it is a warning that your tyre needs replacing as it has reached the minimum legal tread depth. You can also use a tread depth indicator to measure the amount of remaining tread that is present on your tyre. We've found that one of the easiest and most straightforward methods for checking your tyre read depth is the 20p test.
20p Test
One of the most popular ways to check the tread depth of your tyres is by using a 20 pence coin. Simply place it in the main tread groove of your tyre and note how much of the coin is visible. If you can't see the outer band of the coin as it is obscured by the tyre then your tyres are legal. If however, you can see the outer band then this is a sign that your tyres are approaching or have reached the legal limit. If this happens to you give us a visit as soon as possible to get them checked by a professional.
We also highly recommend carrying out this test on at least three different locations across your tyre to ensure that your tyres aren't showing signs of uneven tread wear.
Tyre Damage
Regular tyre checks will help you spot any signs of damage to a tyre before it goes flat or has a blowout - leading to lots of stress. Common causes of tyre damage are impacts with curbs, punctures, cuts, lumps, bulges, foreign bodies (such as nails or glass) or irregular wear - often the result of over/under inflation or incorrect wheel alignment or camber.
When driving we recommend that you follow these suggestions to help avoid causing your tyres damage that will significantly shorten their lifespan:
• Take time when parking and undertaking manouveres to minimise the risk of curbing
• Where possible avoid potholes on roads and any visible foreign objects - unfortunately achieving this is often easier said than done
• Avoid emergency braking as this can cause braking flat spots and uneven tyre wear
If you notice any damage when inspecting your tyres or have something that may cause concern please feel free to get in touch with our Poole Tyre Bay and our tyre experts will carry out a FREE inspection to ensure that your tyres are safe and legal.
Contact Our Tyres Team
Our experts are always on hand to assist with any tyre enquiry you may have on 01202 712896 (8am-5pm Mon-Fri & 9am-4pm Sat). Don't forget we offer FREE tyre inspections and tyre pressure checks. There's no need to book, simply drive in and we can help from there.