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Every motorist needs to know how to recognize when their tyre pressure and tread depth is low so that they can stay safe, protect the car and have confidence behind the wheel. With this in mind, keep reading for all that you need to know in terms of tyre care that will help you to maintain your tyres and know when the time for a change is.
The Importance of Tyre Pressure
Starting with tyre pressure, it is important that the right level is maintained at all times for safety, braking and grip. Additionally, tyres that are inflated to the right pressure can also help to improve performance and MPG.
What Affects Pressure?
So, why do car tyres lose pressure? A tyre will naturally lose a small amount of pressure but this can be accelerated by a puncture, the valve or valve cap or the wheel, which should be cleaned when a tyre is fitted. To prevent this, you should check your tyre pressure on a regular basis (and always before a long journey) and top up as required.
The Importance of Tyre Tread & Wear
The tread is responsible for gripping the road when you drive, but driving can take its toll and wear the tyre thread down. When this happens, the car will not be able to grip the road as effectively and can extend braking times. This is made much worse in wet conditions and increases the chance of aquaplaning.
What Affects Tread & How to Prevent Wear
Naturally, driving will wear tyres down over time and this is why you need to keep a close eye on the tread depth with the 20p test. There are also other reasons that could accelerate the wearing of the tyres, including aggressive driving styles, driving on difficult terrain, driving heavy loads and misaligned wheels.
Motorists can prolong the life of their tyres by driving gently and with regular car maintenance. You can conduct the 20p test to see whether or not you have reached a dangerous or illegal level. The legal minimum is 1.6mm – if you cannot see the outer band on a 20p when inserting it into a groove, you are above the legal limit. Despite this, it is recommended that you replace your car tyres before you reach this level just to be safe.
Hopefully, the information in this post will help you to care for your tyres and prolong their life as well as know when the time is right for a change. The tyres are incredibly important features that can impact safety and performance, but they can suffer wear and tear and it is important to monitor the tyre pressure and tread depth at all times so that you can have confidence when behind the wheel.
