AN EASY GUIDE!
In the UK the law explicitly states that all cars must be equipped with the correct tyre tread size, and this is true both here in the UK and in many other nations. This is because the condition of your tyres has a significant impact on how safe your vehicle is to drive.
The legal requirement is 1.6 millimetres as the upper maximum. For your own safety, you must change or replace the tyres before they reach this limit.
The tread on modern tyres can be up to 8mm wide. This figure drops sharply as the car is used and the tyre wears down. Other factors influence how quickly the tread wears out;
The Terrain or Surface
Bad Driving Habits
Load or Cargo on vehicles
HOW DOES TERRAIN, BAD DRIVING & LOAD AFFECT TYRES?
The surface or terrain; driving over rocks and other rocky terrain tends to hasten the wear out of tyre treads. This implies that if you frequently drive in such conditions, your tyres will wear out more quickly than if you were to drive normally.
Unsafe driving practices, including specific habits like abrupt braking, can exacerbate the wear and tear of the treads. This is particularly true if the ground is uneven and tarmac-like. Therefore, it is generally advisable to brake gradually rather than suddenly.
Cargo or load on a vehicle; trucks and other big vehicles that travel long distances with high loads quickly lose their tread. This is due to the fact that all that weight creates a lot of pressure and strain on the tyres, increasing friction and ultimately causing the tyres to wear out. Learn more about tyre pressure.
Having said that, it is important to emphasise that 1.6mm is only the minimal need; you are not required to wait until the tyre reaches these levels before changing it. The recommendation from major automotive organisations is to replace the tyres when they wear down to 2mm.
Nevertheless, tyre manufacturers advise that you replace the tyre after it has worn down to 3mm. It is therefore obvious that there is no set or accepted level. Researchers evaluated two cars, one with 1.6mm treads and the other with 3mm treads, both travelling at 50 mph. In comparison to the latter, they discovered that the former required 8 additional metres before halting. This is so that the car can brake more effectively since worn-out treads result in reduced traction.
Failure to observe the minimum standard of 1.6mm for tyre treads will see you to hit with a £2,500 fine. To stay safe, always conduct regular checks (how to check your tyres) on the tyres, seek the services of a professional car tyre maintenance centre to help you know when the tyres need replacement.
HOW CAN TYRESERV HELP YOU?
Are you looking for new tyres? Maybe you’ve checked your tyre tread depth and realised now is the time. TyreServ, in Romford, can help you:
24 Hour Tyre Repair in Romford
Corporate Tyre Repair in Romford
Fast Puncture Repair in Essex
Mobile Tyre Fitting in Greater London
Tyre Rotation in Romford