Tyre Safety Tips from Goodyear

The number one priority for drivers (and passengers) when getting into a car is how safe it is, and tyres are arguably one of the most important safety elements of your vehicle. As the only part of the vehicle which has contact with the road at all times, you need to make sure your tyres are in the best condition possible.

There are a number of things that can affect the condition of tyres. While general wear and tear is expected over time, hitting curbs, driving over potholes and harsh braking can all contribute to more serious issues, which can make the vehicle unsafe.

So, we’ve compiled some of Goodyears’ key tips and things to consider, to ensure the overall safety of your tyres.

Tyre Pressure

The negative effects of incorrect tyre pressure include uneven tread wear, poor steering, risk of tyre blowouts and increased fuel consumption. 

Some newer cars are fitted with a TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system), which alerts the driver to a drop in tyre pressure.

However, checking your tyre pressure once a month is recommended for all vehicle owners to ensure the tyres never fall below the recommended pressure. If you’re unsure of your vehicles optimum pressure, this should be outlined in your handbook.

Tread Depth

Tyre tread helps vehicles grip to the road when braking, which makes for safe braking and stopping. Inadequate tread depth could lead to issues such as aquaplaning and braking, steering or acceleration issues.

The legal tread limit for cars in the UK is 1.6mm. Drivers that are caught with tyres below the legal limit could receive a fine and points on their licence. 

Luckily, this can be easily avoided by checking your own tread depth. The way we recommend testing this is by inserting a 20p piece into the groove of the tyre. A general rule is, if you can see the outer rim of the coin, you’re tyre tread is illegal and you should replace the tyre. 

Tyre Damage

If your vehicle has part-worn tyres already fitted, or you have opted to buy used tyres, your safety on the road could be compromised. For this reason, it is recommended to buy new tyres wherever possible. However, it is not only poor road conditions (potholes, sidewall impacts) that have an obvious negative impact on the condition of tyres. 

It is easy for debris such as nails and bolts to become lodged in the tyre tread, which may result in an unnoticeable slow puncture. Unfortunately, this kind of damage can’t be fully avoided but as soon as you notice something embedded in your tyre, you should get it checked and repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The longer an issue like this is left untreated, the more likely it is that the tyre will become damaged. 

Tyre Age

In some ways, if your tyres are an older model, it doesn’t matter how good their condition is. Old tyres are more prone to rubber oxidation and cracking, which can lead to pressure issues. 

A general rule of thumb is, tyres older than 6 years should be looked at by a professional to make sure they are still safe to use. Otherwise, you should consider getting older tyres replaced.

Checking the age of your tyres is easy and can be found on the sidewall. You are looking for the four-digit manufacture code. The first 2 digits refer to the week of the year that the tyre was produced and the last 2 indicate the year. 

For example, 3216 shows that the tyres were produced in the 32nd week of 2016. 

Following these simple tips will not only help keep you safe behind the wheel, but will prolong the lifespan of your tyres. For more information about tyre safety, check out some more of ASDA Tyres’ top tips.

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