Tyre tread is essential for safe driving as it allows your tyres to grip the road. However, the tread can become worn over time, which can put your safety at risk. But how exactly do you check your tyre tread depth?
In this blog, we’re going to break down the steps involved with checking your tyre tread depth and how to look out for signs of wear.
What is Tyre Tread Depth?
Around the edge of the tyre, you’ll find grooves which have been moulded into the design to prevent it from being a flat surface. If the tyre’s surface was flat the tyre would essentially just rest on the road, rather than form any substantial grip, which can become increasingly dangerous, especially when driving in winter.
Are there different types of tread?
Typically, the tread will be arranged in a symmetrical pattern, but there are a couple of other patterns which are also used. Each style has its own benefits, you can choose the tread type which best suits your driving style.
- Symmetrical – For smooth & steady driving
- Asymmetrical – For driving at high speeds & snowy conditions
- Directional – For good handling & driving in wet conditions
Checking Your Tyre Tread
When it comes to checking the depth of your tyre tread, there are a few different ways you can do it. You’re looking for a tyre tread depth of around 3mm, which you can find out by doing one of the following.
Use a 20p
If you still carry cash around in the age of cashless systems, you can check your tyre tread using a 20p, believe it or not. This is a recognised method for checking your tyre tread and all you have to do is simply put it into the tread.
If the 20p sits far enough into the tread that you can’t see the outer band, then your tyres will be above the legal limit. This is because the outer band of a 20p is about 3mm wide, giving a near-perfect measurement.
Use the tyre tread indicators
If you don’t have any cash to hand, it’s worth taking a closer look at your tyre tread as some will feature an indicator of where the tread should be. If the tyre has become worn and is down to the indicator, then that’s a sign you need to replace your tyres.
Use a tyre tread depth gauge
A tyre tread depth gauge is a tool specially designed for measuring tyre treads and is simply inserted into the tyre tread. A small needle will measure the distance between the tyre edge and the tread depth to give you an accurate reading.
It’s important to measure multiple points around the tyre as they can wear unevenly.
What is the Legal Minimum Tyre Tread Depth?
The law states that tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6mm, however, it’s recommended by safety experts that the depth is almost double that measurement. This is because they believe that this depth is insufficient and massively affects stopping distances when compared with the suggested 3mm.
What are Bald Tyres?
‘Bald tyres’ is the term used to describe tyres which have little to no tread due to it being worn away. With no tread, they’re unable to create any friction which otherwise would allow them to grip the road, meaning they are extremely unsafe.
It’s important to make sure you replace any bald tyres as they are illegal due to them being below the legal tread minimum.
Does Tyre Pressure Affect Tread Depth?
It’s important to keep an eye on your tyre pressure as an overinflated tyre can suffer increased wear. This is due to less rubber from the tyre being in contact with the road, which not only causes wear in a more concentrated area but can also affect your stopping distance.
How to check tyre pressure
If you’re not sure how to check tyre pressure, all you need is a pressure gauge. Simply remove the cap which covers the tyre valve and place the gauge onto the valve. The gauge will then give you an accurate reading as to what your current tyre pressure is – most vehicles will recommend between 28 and 36 PSI.
Get a Free Tyre Check from JCT600
At JCT600 we offer free tyre checks to help you stay safe on the road. Just let us know when works best for you and we’ll get your tyre safety check booked in. For more information on tyre and general car maintenance, keep an eye on our latest news which we regularly update with helpful guides.
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