Getting to Grips with Tyre Safety

Safety on the road is paramount to all road users.

Without question, the biggest concern for any motorist or pedestrian embarking on a journey is to arrive alive unscathed. Obviously there are many different types of precautions to take prior to setting off, including and not restricted to; wearing seatbelts, obeying the speed limits and not drink driving.

One of the most important precautions to take is vehicle maintenance, predominantly tyre safety. According to a survey, one third of young drivers have never checked their tread depth, whilst a quarter have never monitored the pressure. These statistics make for worrying bed reading, especially considering that £2,500 maximum fine and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

Worry not though as LK Performance will provide you with a simple guide to ensure tyre safety for all of your journeys.

Image Credit: By ProjectManhattan (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

1 - Tyre Pressure

Maintaining a correct tyre pressure level is mandatory to ensure your safety. Under-inflated tyres are often linked to high speed blowouts, which can occasionally lead to fatal incidents. Be sure to check your owner's manual to confirm the correct level of pressure for your vehicle. Also be sure to take into account weight, weather conditions and the length of the journey. For simplicity, most petrol stations provide air pumps for minimal cost, providing inflation and precise pressure figures. As an added bonus, correct pressure can lead to an increase in fuel economy, meaning you get out exactly what you put in.

2- Tyre Tread

A tyre's tread should not only be maintained for piece of mind, but also to meet the minimum legal requirements. The amount of tread on your tyre crucially affects stopping distances and handling capabilities. For a normal passenger vehicle below 3,500kg, the minimum amount of depth is 1.6mm across 3/4 of the entire circumference. All larger vehicles are required 1.0mm under the same circumstances. 

3 - Tyre Condition

Further to the pressure and amount of tread, the general condition of your tyres must be thoroughly inspected. Be sure to check for bulges, tears and foreign objects lodged in the tyre's tread. Should you be unlucky enough to discover a nail penetrating your tyre, be sure to seek the advise of a tyre specialist and perform the above checks on a more regular basis. Also be sure to check for uneven wear, which could be detrimental to the safety of all road users. All spare tyres should equally be monitored, in event of the inevitable.

4 - Consistent Checks

All of the above safety checks should be carried out once per month at the bare minimum, with further inspections carried out prior to long journeys. Those who have opted to lower their vehicle should also be vigilant for scraping, which can lead to uneven wear and blowouts. There is simply no room for complacency with tyre safety, as these checks could literally mean the difference between life, death and losing your no claims bonus.

5 - Fit Proper Tyres

Most motoring enthusiasts would highly discourage you from purchasing budget tyres. Whilst a decent amount of safety can be expected from the higher end of the budget range, drivers should avoid the absolute bargain basement offerings. For starters, the life of the tyre would be significantly reduced for cheap tyres, as will grip and overall safety. In addition, buyers should be sure to remain consistent with tyre brands, in the interest of offering equal life expectancies, ideal levels of grip and optimum fuel economy. Although often tempting, do not purchase partly worn tyres. The history of pre-used tyres is always ambiguous and therefore a safety concern. Wherever possible, be sure to purchase all tyres new.

Carry out these checks regularly and you will not only decrease your chances of becoming involved in an accident, but you will also save money in the long term. Road Safety may only be publically recognised  for one week during Road Safety Week, but all drivers should remain vigilant throughout the entirety of the year.