Why do I need to check my tyres?
You should perform regular tyre checks as you may not realise there is a problem with your tyres. For example, your tyres may have uneven wear due to the tracking being out, or the camber angle may be out of alignment due to worn suspension or incorrect tracking adjustment.
What to look out for
Ensure the tyre pressure is correct. Overinflation will wear the centre of the tread out, meaning you’ll have to change your tyres more frequently. Conversely, under inflation will wear the edge of the tyres out. This also poses a safety hazard as under inflated tyres may overheat.
You should also check for bulges in the side wall of the tyre, which are often caused by hitting the curb. If you find a bulge you should change your tyre immediately.
The size of the tyre must be the same across the axel, it is illegal to have different sizes as you will drift. However, the two rear tyres may be different to the two front tyres.
When do I need to have my tyres replaced?
You will wear your tyres out more quickly if you are driving around a town as you will be breaking more often. The legal tyre tread depth is a minimum of 1.6mm, a worn out tread means a greater stopping distance. A simple way to check the tread is to perform the 20p coin test. This is done byinserting a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If you cannot see the outer rim around the edge of the coin then your tread is above the legal limit. However, if you can see the outer rim then you should have your tyres professionally checked, as if you are stopped by the police you could face a fine of up to £2,500 and a maximum of three penalty points for each tyre with a tread depth below the legal limit.
How to care for your tyres
Don’t forget to pump up your tyres. You should regularly check the pressure to make sure that they have enough air. Each car has a different tyre pressure depending on the weight. The pressure for your car can either be found in the vehicle handbook or stamped inside of the door.
What difference do better quality tyres make?
Lower quality tyres are prone to cracking, and once the side wall cracks the tyres have to be thrown away, whereas better quality tyres will last for longer. Thus, it makes sense to invest in better quality tyres.
Recommended brands
Click here to see all our tyre brands.
Our recommended tyre brands:
- Michelin
- Dunlop
- Avon Tyres
- Pirelli
If you would like to speak to one of the team, please give Newlands a call on 01342 645645 or email info@newlandscarandclassic.com