Car Servicing

Checking your tyres is often over looked, but it is essential if you are to ensure that you are driving safely.

Checking your tyre pressure is the most obvious place to start when you check your tyres, as this can affect your steering, braking ability and acceleration. However, there are plenty more ways to check your tyre to enhance the safety of your vehicle. We suggest the following:

Tyre Damage

Examine the tyres for visible damage, any bumps or bulges, foreign objects, cuts, cracks and tread wear

Car Servicing Tip: Replace the tyre if any damage is evident

Tread Depth

It is vital to check the tread depth of your tyres. The minimum legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK and EU is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre tread width, and the AA recommend at least 2mm.

Car Servicing Tip: Check your tyres visually and measure the 1.6mm tread depth indicators on the tyres

Tyre life

The life span of your car tyre depends entirely upon the type of car, the frequency of it's use, and on you the driver! However, when you get a tyre fitted, ensure the installer balances the wheels properly to increase riding comfort and tyre life.

Car Servicing Tip: Ensure the installer balances the wheels when fitting new tyres

Tyre pressures

Checking your tyre pressure is vital for balanced breaking, maximum grip and to extend the life of your tyre, and the recommended pressures for your car will vary according to load or speed, but it is vital because wrong tyre pressures will cause rapid wear and shorter tyre life.

Car Servicing Tip: The recommended cold tyre pressures are usually given on the tyre information label on the rear doorjamb on the driver's side and can be checked at the majority of petrol garages.