Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

How often should my tyres be checked?

Accepted Answer

Tyres should be inspected at least once a month and before any long journey. Checks should include checking the air pressure, overall condition and tread depth. And don’t forget to check the spare or the compressor and sealant if no spare was fitted!

Question 2

What should I do when checking my tyres?

Accepted Answer

Tread depths should be checked to ensure they meet the legal minimum regulations. Pressures should be checked in line with the vehicle manufacturers’ recommended settings. Take care to increase the pressure if the vehicle is heavily loaded as shown in the car makers recommendations. The tyres should also be given a thorough visual inspection to look for any cuts, lumps or bulges. Also look for any objects embedded in the tread which should be removed.

Question 3

What is the minimum legal tread depth?

Accepted Answer

Current UK law requires car, van and LCV drivers to have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. For trucks (vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes g.v.w), current tread depth legislation requires that they must have a minimum of 1mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre. The same regulation applies to regrooved tyres. Meanwhile, for motorcycles over 50cc it is 1mm across ¾ of the width of the tread pattern and with visible tread on the remaining ¼. For motorcycles up to 50cc the law requires that all the grooves of the original tread pattern must be clearly visible.

Question 4

What are the fines for driving with illegal tyres?

Accepted Answer

Drivers who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

Question 5

Why is tread depth important?

Accepted Answer

Adequate tread depth is essential for good grip on wet roads as the tread pattern helps to remove water from between the tyre and the road surface. Drivers with insufficient tread depth face longer stopping distances, reduced grip and an increased risk of aquaplaning.

Question 6

Why is correct tyre pressure important?

Accepted Answer

To stay safe on the road your car needs to have the correct tyre pressure. If the tyres are under or over inflated then handling and grip will worsen, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable car behaviour. Tyres with insufficient air are also more likely to suffer from a sudden rapid deflation and will suffer premature wear on the outside edges of the tyre.The wheel rim and tyre will be more susceptible to impact damage. Over-inflation results in less comfortable ride, a reduced area of contact with the road giving less grip in the day and accelerated wear on the tread centre . The benefits of a properly inflated tyre, include reduced running costs and longer tyre life.

Question 7

Where can I find the correct pressure for my tyres?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle manufacturers’ handbook contains this information, as well as it being available inside the fuel filler cap or driver’s door sill. Many tyre retailers will also be able to provide this information. Alternatively, car drivers can obtain the correct tyre pressure for their car by visiting the tyre pressure checker on TyreSafe’s website and entering their vehicle’s registration details.

Question 8

What causes irregular wear?

Accepted Answer

Irregular wear can be caused by a number of factors. Repeated scuffing of tyres against kerbs, misaligned steering, aggressive driving, the over- or under-inflation of the tyre, worn suspension parts, are just some reasons. There are so many variables that there is no one single answer. Tyres should be checked regularly for any signs of wear and replaced accordingly.

Question 9

How many miles can I get from my set of tyres?

Accepted Answer

Tyre life is very dependent on the way that they are used. A set of tyres well maintained and used exclusively on motorways can return a much higher mileage against tyres badly maintained and ill-treated in a city centre and urban environment.

Question 10

How far/fast can I drive with a special ‘run flat’ tyre in a deflated condition?

Accepted Answer

Recommendations in the area may differ from tyre manufacturer to manufacturer and drivers should always consult the car manufacturer’s handbook for the distance that can be travelled and speed driven. Please note that standard tyres should not be run without air or this will cause irreparable damage.

Question 11

What are winter tyres?

Accepted Answer

Winter tyres have been designed to specifically cope with snow and ice, as well as cold and damp conditions. Below 7 degrees celsius the tread compound in normal tyres begins to harden, providing less grip. Winter tyres use advanced silica compounds so they remain pliant in cold temperatures, giving more grip and shorter stopping distances. They also have specially designed tread patterns to give superior grip on ice and snow.

Question 12

Do I have to fit winter tyres in the winter?

Accepted Answer

In the UK it is not a legal requirement although TyreSafe recommends they are fitted from October to March especially as they are the safest option in snow and ice, plus cold and damp conditions. UK drivers travelling to certain European countries may be required to fit winter tyres and this information is available from the DfT.

Question 13

What do the sidewall markings mean?

Accepted Answer

The sidewall markings provide descriptive information about the tyre. The most important markings for drivers in the UK are size and type, aspect ratios load and speed indices (service description). For more information visit: TyreSafe

Question 14

What is tyre labelling and what does it mean?

Accepted Answer

From 1st November 2012 all new car tyre labels will display three key measures that will rate the tyre’s fuel efficiency, wet braking performance and exterior noise emission characteristics. The labels will help explain to motorists how tyres perform in these three key areas and help them make a more informed choice about safer and more environmentally friendly driving. For more information visit: Tyre Labelling

Question 15

Should I fit four new tyres at a time?

Accepted Answer

It’s better to fit all four tyres at the same time but if that is not possible then fitting two tyres at a time, and as a pair to get the best handling and grip on each axle, is the next best option. As a last resort, then a single tyre can be replaced. In all circumstances, seek the advice of an expert tyre retailer before replacing any tyres.

Question 16

Which is the best axle to place new tyres on?

Accepted Answer

New tyres on the rear axle provide better driver control on wet roads. This is because tyres with deeper tread are better at displacing water and give better grip. If the new tyres are fitted at the front the car, then it is more likely to oversteer when grip is lost in wet weather, which is much harder to control than understeer. Oversteer is when the rear of the car slides sideways, and understeer is when the front of the car slides.