As a responsible driver and the owner of a vehicle you should regularly check your tyres. This is your legal responsibility and the implications if you do not do so are massive! The least of your problems could be being pulled over be the police. This means that you could receive a fine of up to £2,500 and three points on your licence per tyre! Whilst this not good for your bank balance initially, the penalty points would also increase your insurance premium and potentially result in you losing your licence.
A penalty is the least of your worries as driving on bald or defective tyres could lead to something far worse such as an accident, or as they are often referred to now, an incident. As an accident suggests that it was not someone or something's fault. Incidents however are always someone's fault, and it is the police's job to work out who or what was to blame. If your car tyres are illegal and that was the cause of the accident there is also the risk that your insurance company would not payout thus leaving you with a huge bill to pay!
It is easy to check your tyres to make sure they are legal and safe. Let's look at the legal side first. The tyre must have at least of 1.6 mm of tread left on the tyre across 75% of the tyre. The easiest way to check this is to look at the wear bars located in the tyre tread. The wear bars run across the tyres and indicate when the tyre is getting low. It is also advisable to check the tyre for damage from curbs or pot holes. Make sure there are no splits or cuts in the tyre. If there is damage to the side wall it is worth getting this checked out straight away. The side wall of the tyre takes the vehicle's weight so this is extremely important as any damage here could lead to a blow out! Also if the tyre is older it may have started to perish over time which can lead to cracks appearing in the tyre. This generally happens to caravans, trailers and low mileage cars and can also result in the tyre failing and a blowout situation!
The final point is to check the tyre pressures. The tyre pressure is extremely important and all cars and vans will have the recommended tyre pressures in the vehicle handbook. A tyre pressure which is too low can lead to the vehicle effectively bouncing up and down on the tyres whilst the vehicle is driven at speed. This means that friction is built up within the tyre and the tyre then gets to the point where it over heats and explodes causing a blowout.
Good to know for your comfort & safety
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio is the ratio of a tyre’s section height (H) to its section width (W).
Aspect ratio (%) = HW x 100
The aspect ratio is the ratio of a tyre’s section height (H) to its section width (W).
Aspect ratio (%) = HW x 100
Speed symbol
The speed symbol refers to the maximum speed capabilities of the tyre. It is only valid for tyres that are properly inflated and loaded within their assigned load index.
Speed symbol
Speed (km/h)
Speed category
The speed symbol refers to the maximum speed capabilities of the tyre. It is only valid for tyres that are properly inflated and loaded within their assigned load index.
Speed symbol
Speed (km/h)
Speed category
Load index
The load index is the maximum load-carrying capacity of a tyre under a specific condition.
The load index is the maximum load-carrying capacity of a tyre under a specific condition.
Reinforced rating (XL-Rating)
Passenger car tyres designed for loads and inflation pressures higher than the standard version.
Passenger car tyres designed for loads and inflation pressures higher than the standard version.
Tyre rotation
Tyre rotation is the regular practice of changing the position of each tyre on the car to minimize abnormal (or uneven) tread wear, which may cause:
1. Abnormal vibration (“shimmy”)
2. Tyre noise
3. Decreased riding comfort
4. Shorter tyre life
Note: We recommend that you rotate your tyres immediately if you recognize any of the above-mentioned conditions (especially on your front tyres).
Tyre rotation is the regular practice of changing the position of each tyre on the car to minimize abnormal (or uneven) tread wear, which may cause:
1. Abnormal vibration (“shimmy”)
2. Tyre noise
3. Decreased riding comfort
4. Shorter tyre life
Note: We recommend that you rotate your tyres immediately if you recognize any of the above-mentioned conditions (especially on your front tyres).
Tread Wear Indicator
Triangle marks ( ▲ ) on the sidewall show the tread groove position of the “tread wear indicators”, the “tread wear indicators” represent 1.6mm of remaining tread depth at which time the tyre should be replaced.
Triangle marks ( ▲ ) on the sidewall show the tread groove position of the “tread wear indicators”, the “tread wear indicators” represent 1.6mm of remaining tread depth at which time the tyre should be replaced.
