How to look after your tyres

Your tyres are one of the most important parts of your car. Safety, fuel economy, grip, and handling all start with proper tyre care.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from inflating tyres to understanding when they need replacing. This page includes: • How to check your tyre pressure and top up air safely • The legal tread depth (1.6mm in the UK) • How to spot problems with your tyres • Driving with a flat or punctured tyre • Changing a tyre safely • Buying a new tyre • What your tyre numbers mean

Your car’s correct tyre pressure is listed in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel cap. It’s measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) or BAR.
Get a tyre pressure gauge and inflator or air compressor ready. You can find tyre pressure gauges at petrol stations, garages, or buy one for personal use. Ensure the tyres are cold, then remove valve caps. Securely attach the gauge to each valve stem and take a reading, comparing it to the manufacturer's specification - usually found in the manual, on a sticker inside one of the door apertures, or under the fuel or charging cap. Inflate or deflate as needed and repeat for all tyres, including the spare if you have one. Once you’ve got the correct pressures, replace all valve caps to protect against dirt and moisture.

In the UK, your tyres need a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre to be legal.
Tread depth is the vertical measurement of the tyre grooves that channel water away from your tyres. Driving with illegal tyres can result in fines of up to £2,500 per tyre and penalty points. There are a few ways to check tyre depth: • Slide a 20p coin into the main grooves. If you can see the outer rim of the coin, your tread may be too low. • Use a tread depth gauge, which is a small tool available online or in auto stores. • Look for tread wear indicators like small, raised bars in the grooves of your tyre.

Look for uneven wear, cracks or bulges on the sidewalls of the tyres, or low tread depth (as above). These can indicate issues like incorrect inflation, alignment problems, or internal damage, which could lead to a blowout.
If you feel vibrations or shaking through the steering wheel or seat, this could be due to imbalanced wheels, alignment issues, or damage to the tyres. Humming, bumping or roaring noises can indicate uneven wear, which can be caused by misalignment, underinflation, or general wear. If your tyres sound like they’re squealing, this could be due to tracking or alignment problems.

You cannot drive on a flat tyre. Even short distances can damage the wheel itself or your suspension. If a tyre is visibly deflated or the car pulls to one side, stop safely and call for assistance or fit the spare.
If the puncture is slow and you're using run-flat tyres, you may be able to drive up to 50 miles at reduced speed (check your vehicle handbook). Otherwise, treat it like a flat and pull over. It’s never worth risking your safety or further damage, pull over and address the issue immediately.

If you need to change a tyre, pull over safely on flat ground. Use your hazard lights and apply the handbrake.
Most cars come with a toolkit, and the instructions on how to safely change a tyre will often be included. If you don’t have the toolkit or instructions, the general approach is to place wheel wedges behind tyres to stop the car rolling and loosen lug nuts (but don’t remove them yet). Use the jack to lift the car and make sure it’s steady, then remove the lug nuts and the tyre. Fit the spare and tighten the nuts, then lower the car and fully tighten in a star pattern. Watch for torque and spare tyre speed limits when driving on a spare wheel, spares are temporary solutions and you’ll need to get the wheels done properly as soon as possible.

When shopping for new tyres, check their size, condition, and ratings. Consider options like winter tyres or performance tyres to match your driving needs and preferences. Set a budget but prioritise quality for safety and performance.
No matter what type of tyre you choose, choose a tread pattern suitable for your conditions, and look for tyres with a tread life warranty if possible. Review the load, wet driving, and speed ratings, as well as fuel efficiency.

Look at the side of your tyre and you’ll see something like: 205/55 R16 91V
The numbers tell you the width, profile, diameter, load and speed rating: • 205 – Width of the tyre in mm • 55 – Sidewall height as a percentage of width • R – Radial construction • 16 – Wheel diameter in inches • 91 – Load index (how much weight the tyre can carry) • V – Speed rating (max speed the tyre is certified for)

Tyres are one of the easiest parts of car maintenance to overlook, but one of the most vital to get right.
Looking for more? Head over to Autotrader’s YouTube channel for helpful video explainers, or explore our blog for more guides on car care, upgrades, and buyer advice.