Taking care of your tyres and being able to recognise when they need maintenance or replacement is crucial when ensuring you are driving safely and efficiently.
We cover what you need to look out for when checking over your tyres for wear or damage. Here at Colwills Garage, we provide and range of tyre services in Bude; if, upon your regular tyre checks, you come across any problems, get in touch with our team.
Measuring Tyre Tread
Ensuring that your tyre tread is at the legal limit is one of the most important checks to make.
Your car’s ability to stop quickly relies on your tyres having enough tread, especially in wet weather. Driving on tyres that have less than 1.6mm tread is not only dangerous but can also land you with fines and points on your license.
Although 1.6mm is the absolute minimum your tread should be, many experts will recommend having your tyres replaced once the tread reaches 3mm.
Handily, you can easily check your tyres’ tread depth yourself with a 20p coin. Simply take the coin and insert it into various points along the tread channel. If you cannot see the outer band of the coin, your tyre tread exceeds 1.6mm and your tyres are legal to drive.
If you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread is too shallow, and your tyres will require replacement. If you find that this is the case for your tyres, come in and see us, we’ll have your tyres replaced in no time!
Tyre Pressure Checks
Another important thing to check is your tyres’ pressure. When your tyres are not maintained at the correct pressure, you run the risk of creating uneven wear patterns. Under or over-inflated tyres can also make handling unpredictable.
You can find out your tyres’ correct pressure level by referring to your car’s manual. Here, you’ll find the correct pounds per square inch (PSI) for your tyres. This is the number your tyres should be inflated to.
You can check the pressure level by using a digital tyre pressure level. If you are ever unsure about how to check or maintain tyre pressure, bring your car into Colwills, and we will be able to advise you.
Visual Checks for General Wear and Tear
Your tyres can withstand a lot, but they are not indestructible. Tyres that are ageing or driven on certain terrains are especially prone to punctures or wear and tear.
It can help to give you tyres a quick once over every now and again to ensure that they are not developing any faults. Spotting issues early on can save you from experiencing worse problems emerging down the line.
When performing your visual checks, be on the lookout for any imperfections like cuts, bulges or cracking.
Check out our ultimate guide to buying tyres in the UK for more information about tyre replacement or give us a call today!
Here at Colwills, we offer a range of services to help ensure your tyres are in prime condition. With puncture repair, wheel alignment and new tyres in stock, we are your one-stop-shop to getting back on the road!
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