Safety, performance and driving comfort are three of the main reasons why motorists should check the tread depth of their car tyres on a regular basis. This is especially important because as mileage increases over time, the reduction in tread depth of the car tyres is not particularly noticeable at the steering wheel. However, tread depth plays a significant role, not only in wet weather grip, handling and braking performance but also in providing lighter and more accurate steering.
Car tyres are designed from the outset to meet a complex and confusing set of requirements that are often incompatible and do not need to trouble the average motorist. That's why it is so important to make these regular checks of the tread depth to ensure that the car tyres are in tip-top condition at all times. In addition, by checking the tread depth on a regular basis, the motorist will know in advance when it is coming time to change their car tyres which helps reduce surprises in planning maintenance costs.
During tyre safety month, most retailers of car tyres are displaying informative posters and leaflets, along with a selection of website and press advertising that advise the family motorist on just how easy it is to check the tread depth of their car tyres. A very easy way to do this is to simply use a 20p coin and insert this into the main grooves of the tread pattern. The way this works is that if the outer rim of the coin is visible when it is inserted into the main tread grooves then there is not sufficient tread depth left.
This is important for two reasons; firstly for safety and secondly because car tyres that do not pass this simple test are actually illegal. The law clearly requires that a minimum depth of tread of 1.6mm should be available across the central three quarters of the car tyres. Since there is a fine of up to £2500 and three penalty points on the driving licence for each illegal tyre this is very a serious matter indeed. Clearly if the 20p coin test indicates some doubt, it is time to have the car tyres checked by a professional.
Quite apart from the pressing legal requirement to ensure that car tyres do meet the required standards and so protect the motorist from prosecution, it really is a false economy to run any car on badly worn car tyres. Safety of course is the primary consideration, but potential liability and costs in accident claims and insurance premiums can also create worrying financial problems for the motorist. In the end it really is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the tread depth on your car tyres.
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