How to know when you need new tyres?
Your tyres are the only part of the car in contact with the road surface so play an enormous part in the safe running of your vehicle. Although many drivers believe they know intuitively when their tyres need replacing, this is always a dangerous assumption to make. Your tyres could develop a problem at any time and checking them monthly is essential.
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Tyre wear markings
Most modern car tyres have a wear indicator set into the tread pattern. The letters “TWI” can often be found on the tyre shoulder and this is to show you which part of the tyre to search for the wear indicator. The letters “TWI” are not the wear indicator and being able to see them does not mean your tyres are not worn! The wear indicators are (usually) little raised ridges inside the grooves. When those ridges are the same height as the rest of the tyre it indicates you are at the legal limit (1.6mm).
TWI marks may not be present or easy to see – it depends on the tread pattern – nor are they a fully reliable guide whether your tyres are legal or safe. By law, the tyre tread must be a minimum of 1.6mm across the contact area of the tyre but many car faults – such as incorrect inflation and wheel alignment issues – can result in uneven wear. As such, TWI ridges are a guide not a guarantee that a tyre is legal.
Nor is a legal tyre necessarily safe: car safety experts say the safe limit is closer to 3mm and you should consider new tyres well before they are illegal.
If you have an accident and go to court, illegal tyres can result in a fine of £2,500 and 3 points on your license – per tyre – and your insurance will be invalidated. Bridgestone are lobbying the government to introduce on-the-spot fines for worn tyres.
The 20p test
There are probably twenty versions of “the 20p test” because nobody remembers it properly. The rim on a 20p is not 1.6mm, it is 2.7mm – which makes it a completely arbitrary way to “measure” tread depth. However, if you place a 20p piece into the tread grooves of your tyres and you can still see any of the rim you should definitely visit a garage to have your tyres properly examined.
You can buy a proper tyre gauge from any good motoring accessory supplier, but the most sensible way to check your tread depth is by asking Protyre’s tyre professionals for a free tyre check.
Motorcycle tyres
Motorcycles and mopeds under 50cc must have the tread pattern at least visible everywhere on the tyre. Motorcycles over 50cc must additionally have a tread depth of at least 1mm across 75% of the breadth of the tyre, around the entire circumference. Again however, legal tread depth does not guarantee that tyres are safe.
We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre
Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.
Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.
The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.
Book with Protyre
Don’t wait until you “think” your tyres need replacing, book a free tyre safety check with Protyre today. Our tyre professionals also inspect for damage, perishing and uneven wear to help give you peace of mind. When you are ready, we have a great range of Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, Michelin tyres, as well as several budget friendly brands, at every Protyre garage.
