Complete guide to tyre safety

Whether you drive a little petrol hatchback, a van, or a fully electric SUV, your safety depends on the condition of your tyres.
But unless we get a sign there’s something wrong, be that a strange vibration or unstable steering, we tend to forget about them. Tyre neglect can lead to reduced grip, longer stopping distances, and higher risk of blowouts and accidents. But regular, simple maintenance ensures safety in all conditions, extends tyre lifespan, reduces fuel consumption, and saves you money. So we’ll teach you what to look for, and when, so that you can keep your tyres in top condition for as long as possible.

Modern tyres are designed to balance grip, durability, and fuel efficiency. Most UK vehicles use radial tyres, which are constructed with layers of fabric and steel belts arranged at 90 degrees to the direction of travel. This design provides a strong, flexible structure that maintains consistent contact with the road.
The most important parts of a tyre, and so the bits you need to be checking, are: • Tread pattern: designed to channel water away, provide traction and grip, and maintain control in varying road conditions • Sidewall: built for structural integrity and absorbing some road impact • Inner air cavity: designed to support the vehicle’s weight Let’s look at the jobs you need to be doing to keep all three safe.

Tread depth is crucial for water clearance and grip, especially on wet UK roads. As tread wears down, water evacuation is reduced, increasing the risk of aquaplaning.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. Safety experts recommend replacing the tyre at 3mm, as stopping distances increase sharply below this. Regular tread checks should be part of every driver’s routine. You can use a tread depth gauge for accurate measurement, or a coin test as a quick visual reference. Roll a 20p coin through the track and if you see the coin’s outer band, the tread is too shallow. When inspecting tread, it is also important to note uneven wear patterns as these can signal problems: • Inner/outer edge wear = possible wheel misalignment • Centre wear = possible overinflation • Both edges = possible underinflation Identifying and addressing these patterns early can prevent premature tyre replacement and improve vehicle handling.

Tyre pressure affects grip, handling, fuel economy, and tyre lifespan. Underinflated tyres can cause blowouts and increase braking distances, while overinflated tyres reduce grip and wear unevenly. So, you need to get the balance right.
You’re best checking pressures when the tyres are cold, using manufacturer’s values found in: • Vehicle handbook • Sticker inside the driver’s door frame • Fuel filler flap Check your pressures at least once a month, before long journeys.

Most modern cars feature a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). If it lights up, check and adjust your tyre pressure, then reset the system.
Persistent warnings could indicate punctures or sensor faults, so you’ll need a professional to check.

Regularly looking over your tyres can prevent dangerous failures. Look for:
• Cuts, cracks, or bulges in the tread or sidewall • Embedded debris, nails or glass • Signs of ageing, such as worn rubber Drivers are advised to replace tyres over six years old even if the tread is still legal. To find out how old your tyres are, you can use the tyre’s DOT code. The manufacture date is the last four digits, showing week and year. Here's How to look after your tyres.

Incorrect wheel alignment can lead to uneven tyre wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and compromised handling.
Your car’s alignment settings ensure the wheels are pointing in the correct direction relative to the vehicle’s frame and to each other. Poor alignment may be caused by hitting potholes, mounting kerbs, or general wear in suspension components. Checks are recommended when fitting new tyres, after impacts, or when you notice uneven wear or vibrations. Balancing, meanwhile, ensures that the tyre and wheel rotate evenly at speed, preventing vibrations that can cause discomfort and additional strain on suspension parts.

UK weather demands year-round grip. Summer tyres are optimised for performance and braking efficiency in warmer conditions, and perform best above 7°C.
Winter tyres are designed with deeper tread patterns and softer rubber compounds that remain flexible at low temperatures, providing better grip on snow and ice. All-season tyres offer a compromise but may not match the performance of dedicated seasonal options in extreme conditions. The core maintenance principles for all tyre types the same (correct pressure, safe tread depth, regular inspections, and alignment checks), but there are a few differences in how summer, winter, and all-season tyres should be maintained to get the best performance and lifespan.

• Storage: Summer tyres should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, chemicals, or heat sources. Ideally, they should be kept in airtight tyre bags to reduce exposure to oxygen and ozone, which can age the rubber.
• Pressure monitoring: Summer tyres can lose pressure faster in fluctuating temperatures, so check more frequently during seasonal changes. • Wear checks: High-performance summer tyres often have softer compounds for grip, meaning they can wear faster if driven aggressively.

• Seasonal fitting: Fit when temperatures are consistently below 7°C, usually late autumn, and remove when spring temperatures rise.
• Tread depth: Many experts recommend replacing winter tyres when tread depth falls below 4mm (rather than the 1.6mm legal minimum) because deeper grooves are essential for snow and slush clearance. • Cleaning: Rinse regularly in winter to remove road salt, which can degrade rubber over time and damage steel belts if it penetrates through small cuts. • Storage: Store in the same way as summer tyres: clean, dry, and ideally in airtight bags to prevent oxidation.

• Year-round use: If they remain fitted all year round, they’ll wear continually and may need replacement sooner than a set of season-specific tyres.
• Rotation: More frequent tyre rotation (every 5,000–6,000 miles) can help distribute wear evenly because they’re in constant use. • Extreme weather: Monitor grip closely in extreme cold or heat; while they perform adequately, they are not optimised for either extreme.

Legally, your tyres must meet the following requirements:
• Minimum tread depth of 1.6mm over central ¾ • No visible cords, bulges or deep cuts • Tyres must suit vehicle and conditions Failure to comply can result in fines up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points on a driving licence. MOT tests will fail vehicles with unsafe tyres.

A puncture should be addressed immediately. Continuing to drive on a flat tyre can damage the sidewall beyond repair. In the event of a puncture while driving, you need to slow down gradually, steer to a safe stopping point, and avoid harsh braking. If the vehicle is equipped with a space-saver spare tyre, it should be used only for short distances and at reduced speeds, as specified in the vehicle’s manual.
A blowout at high speed requires calm, controlled action. You should grip the steering wheel firmly, avoid sudden braking, and allow the vehicle to slow naturally before steering to the side of the road. Blowouts are often preventable through regular inspection and correct inflation.

As a quick recap, you should aim to do the following checks to keep your tyres in good condition.
• Every month: Measure tyre pressure (including the spare), inspect for damage, check tread depth • Every three months: Inspect for uneven wear, check valve caps, clean sidewalls • Every six months: Rotate tyres (if recommended), check wheel alignment and balancing • Annually: Professional tyre inspection, check tyre age and replace if over six years • As needed: Replace tyres below 1.6mm tread or at 3mm for optimum safety, switch between seasonal tyres as required A few minutes of maintenance each month protects you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.