---
title: Tyres
---

# Tyres

## Tyre Condition

Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road — roughly the size of a shoe sole per tyre. Their condition is crucial to safety.

- Check **sidewalls** for cuts, cracks, or bulges.
- Ensure tread depth meets the legal minimum: **1.6 mm** across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the full circumference.
  
    - It’s safer to replace tyres **before** they reach this limit.
- Have **wheel alignment, balance, suspension, and brakes** checked regularly — uneven wear may indicate a fault.
- Remove stones, glass, or debris from the tread.

**Penalties for faulty tyres** include fines, licence endorsements, and possible disqualification.

 

## Reducing Tyre Wear

- Check **pressures regularly** (at least once a week).
- Avoid potholes and rough surfaces — slow down if unavoidable.
- Do not hit or scrape kerbs while parking; this can cause sidewall damage or affect wheel alignment.
- Drive smoothly — harsh braking, fast cornering, and high speeds increase wear.

## Tyre Pressure

You can’t accurately judge pressure by sight alone.

- Check pressures **when tyres are cold**.
- Don’t forget the **spare tyre** and **replace valve caps** after checking.
- Refer to your **vehicle handbook** for correct pressures, which may vary depending on load or speed.

**Under-inflated tyres:**

- Increase fuel consumption.
- Lengthen stopping distances.
- Cause excessive edge wear.

**Over-inflated tyres:**

- Reduce grip and stability.
- Increase the risk of skidding.
- Cause centre tread wear.

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