Legal Depth for Tyres

Car tyre repairs can only be carried out by a tyre specialist and in accordance with the UK standard AU159 in force. Permanent repairs can only be done after the tire has been removed from the wheel to allow for thorough inspection both inside and outside to ensure there is no hidden damage that could lead to catastrophic failure. The tread depth of the tire is a vertical measurement between the top of the tread and the lowest groove. In the United States, the tread depth of the tire is measured in 32 inches. When the tires are new, they have tread depths of 10/32 to 11/32. Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet roads, but generally wet grip decreases when the tread depth of the tires approaches the legal minimum. Motorists should take this into account and reduce speed when driving in the wet. For the same reason, motorists may consider replacing tires before the tread depth reaches the legal minimum. You`ll often hear people talk about the “20p test.” This is the fastest and easiest way to check the tread depth of your tire, but also the least accurate.

British law states that a car must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in a continuous tread around the central three-quarters of the tyre. The same rule applies to trucks such as vans, trailers and caravans that do not exceed 3500 kg. While UK Tyre Law states that a wheel must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, most automotive experts would recommend replacing a tyre once the tread reaches 2-3mm. This is confirmed by the RoSPA study, which showed that the braking distance on smooth concrete increases by 44.6% to the legal minimum tread depth. READ MORE: Should I buy winter tires? Advantages, disadvantages and costs explained If you are involved in an accident and the car you are driving has illegal or bald tires, you need to be aware of the consequences. Simply easy. All you need to check the tread depth of your tire is a penny. Stick the penny with Abraham Lincoln`s head on the head. When Abe`s tip of the head appears, it`s time for new tires. Tamara shows you how to do it in this video. If the tire is flush with these, it is below the legal limit and must be replaced. If you don`t have a tire tread depth gauge, you can check the tread wear indicators (TWI) or tire wear bars.

These are evenly distributed through the main grooves of the tyre`s tread and allow for visual reading. In some cases, a small triangular marker indicates the position of the profile wear indicator. If the turn signal is aligned with the tread level, the tire must be replaced. In situations where your tires do not have sufficient tread depth to properly remove water from the road surface, the particularly dangerous phenomenon of aquaplaning can occur. During aquaplaning, your tires lose contact with the road surface and roll over the surface of the water. Without contact with the road, you cannot accelerate, brake or steer effectively, which greatly increases the risk of being involved in an accident. To reduce the risk of aquaplaning, regularly check the tread depth of your tire. See how aquaplaning can affect your safety. You can buy tread gauges to help you assess the depth of the tire`s tread, and you can also get basic color-coded tools that let you know at a glance whether a tire is legal or not. Tire tread can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle while driving. While you may not think about your tread every time you drive, it`s important to check back from time to time to make sure your tires are in good condition.

Are you ready to talk about tire tread depth? Let`s dive in. If you cannot see the outer strip on the part, your tires will be above the legal limit. However, if you can see the tape and this part of the part is still visible, your tires could be dangerous and require professional inspection by a mechanic. A shallow tread depth can be a disaster for your driving, including: Driving tires with tread below the legal limit — or worse, bald — is dangerous. A deep tread also quickly diverts water from the rubber so that contact with the road is not lost. This makes tire tread depth essential when roads become wet and dangerous, as hydroplaning is prevented. Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet roads, but this usually decreases as a tire`s tread wears out or water depth increases. The driver must take this into account and reduce his speed accordingly in wet conditions. Temporary-use spare tires are often different in size than standard road tires and usage restrictions apply. Failure to follow the instructions in the vehicle manual and/or on the spare wheel or tire sidewall can have serious consequences. Do not exceed the recommended speed limit when using a spare tire for temporary use and respect the minimum air pressure. The tread depth of a new tire is about 8 mm, but naturally becomes flatter over time.

The causes of tread deterioration are: No. Neither repairs to externally applied caps nor liquid sealants can be considered permanent repairs. Tyre manufacturers cannot be held responsible for problems arising from their use. For repairs on run-flat self-supporting tires, contact the respective tire manufacturer. The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm in a continuous strip that covers the central three-quarters of the tread width and its entire outer perimeter. In wet weather, tread grooves help remove water from the contact surface between your tires and the road surface, allowing your car to brake, steer and accelerate properly. In heavy rain, each tire can move a gallon of water every second, which shows how hard tires work. Without sufficient tread depth, your tires may not function properly in wet conditions, reducing your safety on the road. It is therefore advisable to consider replacing your tires well before they reach the legal minimum. In addition, drivers whose tyres do not meet the minimum tread depth requirements face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. The legal tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm on the centre three-quarters of the tyre.

In this article, we discuss how to check tread depth, what the legal limit is, and what causes uneven tire wear. If you live in an area where it rains or snows frequently, consider replacing tires when they reach 4/32 inches. With worn tires, there is a risk of aquaplaning on wet roads. This is when the tire cannot pass water through the grooves. The car drives along the water instead of staying in contact with the asphalt.