How Do You Check Your Tread Depth
Checking that your tyres are of legal tread depth is one of the most important checks you should do for your car. This is so important because if the rubber on the tyre wears down too much, you can lose traction, this will prevent you from effectively braking. As well as putting your life and others on the road at risk, you are also breaking the law. If your tread depth is below 1.6mm it is against the law and you need to get your tyres changed imminently.
What Is The Recommended Tread Depth?
Although the legal requirement for your tread depth is 1.6mm, experts recommend getting them changed before they reach this point.
The UK organisation MIRA conducted a test and concluded that once the tread is below 3mm the stopping distance increases significantly. They tested cars at 3mm and cars at 1.6mm in wet weather, the braking distance was as much as 44% further in the 1.6mm cars, which can be incredibly dangerous.
How To Check Your Tyres?
If you don’t have a tool that is specifically for measuring the tread depth, you can simply use a 20p coin.
To measure your tread, simply take a 20p coin and insert it into the grooves on the tyre, if the outer band of the 20p coin is not showing after you insert it, then your tyres are within the legal limit. If the outer band is still visible then they are below the legal limit.
This test is advised to be done every two weeks or before any long journeys.
What Will Happen If My Tyres Are Below 1.6mm?
Legally, if your tyre is below this limit and you are stopped by the police, they are allowed to fine you up to £2,500 per tyre as well as giving you up to 3 points on your licence.
Your tread is there to allow water to pass by the tyre without hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when your tyres lose contact with the road surface and travel on top of the surface of the water. This can be very dangerous, as without that contact, you will not be able to steer, brake or accelerate effectively, ultimately causing you to temporarily lose control of the car which can lead to fatal accidents.
Contact Our Experienced Team
Good tread depth on your car tyres is crucial to your safety as well as others. Checking your tyres regularly is extremely important and if you think you are in need of new ones then feel free to come down to our workshop and we can take a look and provide you with some new ones if need be. Call us on 01234 327328 or fill out our contact form today to find out more.