It is important to often check the wear of your tyres to ensure the safety of your vehicle. Here are a few answers to questions you might have on this topic, keep youself warm and safe out there.
Do winter tyres wear more quickly than summer tyres?
No, winter tyres do not wear more quickly than other tyres. The rubber is indeed different but it is comparable in durability.
When should I check the wear of my winter tyres?
The aspect of your tyre should be checked regularly, during car maintenance for example. After 5 years, a tyre specialist should check your tyre every year. After 10 years, tyres should be replaced.
When should I replace my winter tyres?
Winter tyres should be replaced when the legal tread wear indicator is reached (1.6mm remaining tread depth). Most drivers know that snow and ice can dramatically affect their safety on the road. Steering, acceleration and braking are more difficult as normal tyres have less grip in these conditions. However, it is not just these extreme wintry conditions which can reduce your safety on the road. Even cold, damp roads can dramatically affect the performance of tyres, leading to an increased accident risk
Thankfully though, tyre manufacturers have developed a range of winter weather tyres which are specifically designed to operate in these conditions, delivering improved safety throughout the entire winter period.
All drivers, irrespective of whether they fit winter weather tyres or not, should carry out regular checks throughout the winter to ensure their tyres are in the best possible condition for maximum safety.
In winter tread depth should be checked to ensure it is well above the legal minimum of 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre, around its entire circumference. TyreSafe has developed the 20p test for a simple and quick way to test your tyres’ tread depth.
Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey. Pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold (i.e. travelled less than 2 miles) against the vehicle manufacturers recommended levels. When checking your tyre pressures, give the rest of the tyre a thorough visual inspection for any signs of damage. Look for any cuts, cracks bulges and remove any embedded objects.
One last tip for the trip
When driving with winter tyres in cold weather, you should check your pressure at least once a month. Do not reduce pressure when inflating as it might affect your driving performance. For example, if a tyre has a pressure of 2 bar (29 psi) at 20 °C, the pressure may be only 1.8 bar (26 psi) at 0 °C.
At Sixfields Tyres & Autocentres, our team are specialists within the automotive industry, we have years of experience working on a wide range of different vehicles. For more information about winter checks, new tyres and part worn tyres, be sure to get in touch with our team today on 01604 75979