Tyre Safety Month October 2022
Car tyres are key to safe driving, and unsafe tyres could cause a number of problems for your vehicle. October is Tyre Safety Month, and in this article, we’ll discuss everything you can do to ensure your tyres are in top condition.
What is tyre safety month?
Tyre Safety Month is a campaign set up by UK charity TyreSafe and lasts for the duration of October. It focuses on ensuring drivers check their tyres regularly, to prevent any accidents. This year, TyreSafe is focusing on emergency stops, with the campaign ‘If your tyres don’t stop you, what will?’.
They are aiming to emphasise the importance of regular tyre checks; as healthy tyres will help in the event of an emergency stop. The significance of checking your tyres is vital to the safety of you and other drivers. To help you check your tyres, we’ve listed 3 key inspections you can easily make.
Why it’s essential to have safe tyres
Tyres are the only contact point between a car and the road, so they’re crucial for all driving, from braking to cornering. Having safe and legal tyres will ensure that you can stop safely if required, and prevent any potential accidents.
There are three areas you should check on your tyres regularly or before making a long journey.
Tyre Tread Depth
Tyre tread depth refers to the grooves on your tyres. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, so if the depth is below that the tyre is illegal and unsafe for driving. You should have your tyres replaced when the tread drops below 3mm, as you will notice a severe lack of grip.
Low tread depth can be very dangerous when driving. If the tread depth is below 3mm, there will be a decrease in traction. This could lead to a loss of performance or potentially skidding if the tyre can’t grip the road. There will also be a decrease in braking performance and an increase in stopping distance, which will negatively impact your fuel economy.
To easily check your tread depth, you can use a 20p coin. Simply place the coin into the tyre groove, and if the outer band of the coin is covered, your tyre is legal. If you can see the outer band of the coin, then your tyre has less than 1.6mm of tread depth and needs replacing immediately.
Tyre Pressure
For a tyre to work efficiently and safely, it must be inflated to the correct PSI. If a tyre is under-inflated, the steering will feel heavy, making handling more difficult. The tyres will also wear quicker, due to an increased surface area being in contact with the road. This means you’ll need to replace your tyres more frequently.
If a tyre is over-inflated, the tread in the middle of the tyre will wear faster than the outside of the tyre. This will again lead to the tyre needing to be replaced more frequently, as uneven tread will result in a loss of handling. The ride will also be stiffer, making for a more uncomfortable drive.
To find the correct PSI for your car, you should look in the car manual. The correct tyre pressure will be listed there. It can also be found inside the fuel door. Alternatively, you can click the button below to check your tyre pressure.
Tyre Pressure
Tyre Condition
According to a survey done by TyreSafe, there are almost 10 million illegal tyres being used in the UK. Any damage on your tyres could lead to a loss of handling, limited rolling resistance, or even a tyre blowout. Before making a long journey, you should check your tyres for these key things:
- Cracks
- Bulges
- Vibrations
- Excessive noise
If your tyre has any of these, it is not suitable for driving and could be a major safety risk. To have your tyre replaced at a local National branch, click the button below.
Branches
Car Safety Inspection Offer
Throughout October’s Tyre Safety Month, we’re offering 50% off on our car safety inspections. This 30-point check will ensure your car is safe to drive, and help it run as smooth as possible. This check covers many vital aspects of your car, including lights, windscreen, tyres, brakes, steering and many more crucial safety features. For more information and to book your discounted safety inspection, click the link below.
Claim Offer
FREE Tyre Safety Check
If you’re looking for a thorough tyre check, then you can bring your car to your local National branch for a FREE tyre safety check. We’ll check your tyre depth, pressure and condition, all for free! We can also check your brakes for free, to ensure you can stop quickly and safely. To book your FREE tyre safety check, click the link below.
Free Tyre Check
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