Why is it important to check tyre tread

Worn or damaged tyres are one of the most common causes of road accidents. As your vehicle’s only point of contact with the road, being able to rely on them to provide the grip and handling required for your safety - and that of other road users - is essential. In fact, such is the importance of correct tyre tread, you can face potential fines of up to £2,500 per tyre should your vehicle be deemed unroadworthy based on the condition of your tyres.

At Gates Ford, we want to help ensure you’re always in a road-legal and safe model, which is why we’re delighted to bring you details on how to check the tyre tread of your vehicle quickly and efficiently… and all it takes is a 20p piece.

What is the recommended tyre tread?

While many tyre experts say that the minimum legal tyre tread is 1.6mm, most recommend that there is a depth of 3mm before a tyre should be replaced. This is because the difference in braking distance during wet weather between 3mm and 1.6mm can be as much as 44%. In essence, having greater tread depth results in between grip and braking performance.

How to check your tyre tread

Once you have your 20p to hand, the process of checking is easy. Insert the edge of the coin into the tread grooves of the tyre and, if you cannot see the outer band of the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. However, should the outer band be visible, it means that the tyre tread depth is potentially unsafe and should be inspected by a professional immediately.

In addition to the 20p check, many modern tyres are equipped with tread wear indicators. These are often small raised areas found within the tread groove of the tyre and which, once level with the surface of the tread rubber, indicate that the overall tyre tread depth is approaching the legal limit.

For more details on checking your tyre tread or to have a trained professional conduct an inspection on your behalf, get in touch with the team at Gates Ford today.

Why is it important to measure tyre tread depth

Tyre tread depth is one of the key - and often overlooked - features that are integral to your safety on the road. In fact, checking the tread depth of a tyre is also essential to ensure that it meets the legal requirements for safety. And, aside from helping you meet the legal requirements, there are other reasons why you should check your tyre tread depth:

• It could save you money by preventing accidents, which can be costly
• It could prevent your car from getting stuck in mud or snow
• It could prevent your car from skidding on ice and snow

How to measure tyre tread depth

Measuring your tyre tread is a quick and easy process that can be completed at home, with all that’s required being a 20p piece. This coin is the perfect size to analyse the grip offered by your tyres, and enables you to determine whether your tyres are currently road legal or not. In fact, being road legal is of the utmost significance too, with the potential of a fine of up to £2,500 and three points per tyre a very real risk.

We at Gates Ford will be delighted to help conduct a thorough assessment of your tyre tread and provide you with options for any replacement tyres you may have. Simply liaise with a member of our expert aftersales team today.