Tires are your only point of contact with the road surface. You cannot neglect the condition of your wheels and tires. If you do you could endanger not only yourself and your passengers, but also other road users. Black Circles recommend that you should check the condition of your tires regularly. We recommend you check your tires at least once a month.

A Nationwide Survey showed that almost 27% of cars had tires with tread depths of less than 2mm. and they said taht the most safety is Bridgestone tires prices on which are about 60-90 $. It is accepted that tire performance and in particular braking in the wet, deteriorates dramatically below 2mm. Approximately 12% of vehicles actually had illegal tires.

Why should you check your car tires?

Did you know that you are not insured when driving on illegal tires? Worn tires significantly impede the performance of your car. Do not forget that a worn tire reduces the effectiveness of braking, steering, and acceleration, all of which are vital in staying safe. What are a few minutes put aside now to check your tires, when you compare it to your own safety and that of your family’s? What should you check?

The Tireunit.com have devised a five point tire check:

1. Check overall condition of tires, including inner and outer sidewalls. 2. Check tire tread depth. 3. Check all tire pressures. 4. Check signs of irregular wear, i.e. alignment. 5. Check and examine the spare tire.

Tire Pressures

A tire can be under inflated without looking flat. To be safe you should check the pressures once a fortnight. To find out what pressure your tires should be at please refer to your Vehicle Manual. Remember that tire pressures should only be checked when your tires are cold. A good guideline is to leave them for an hour to cool down before checking. You must not drive on under or over inflated tires. This will impede your vehicles handling, in cases making the vehicle unstable. The wrong tire pressure will increase tire wear.

Tread Depth

The legal limit for car tread depth is 1.6mm (across 75% of the tire). However the deeper the tread the more grip you have. Black Circles advise that you replace your tires when the tread is less than 3mm. It is not safe to ignore the minimum tire tread depth. It is illegal. For each illegal tire you face a fine of up to £2,500, and may receive three penalty points.

Spare Tire

Even if you never use your spare it is vital that you check it is in good condition. Check the pressure, and the tire treads periodically. It is better to discover any problems in a safe and comfortable environment, i.e. at home, than by the roadside.