Winter is coming. Well, not quite, but it will soon be here and having robust tyres during those colder months is key to staying safe on the roads. One of the most important things to check regularly is your tyre treads. It is recommended that you check your tyres every two to four weeks but if you’re reading this post bleary-eyed and wondering how to go about it, read on for our tips and tricks…

Having the correct tread on your tyres is not only a safety requirement, but a legal one too. Did you know that if you are found with illegal treads on your tyres, you could face three penalty points and a £2,500 fine, per tyre!

Before we get into the how’s why’s, and wherefores’, it is worth noting that the minimum tread of your tyre is 1.4mm. However, once your treads reach 3mm, it is time to start thinking about new tyres.

On to the tutorial!

There are a few different ways you can check your tyre treads. The first way is by sight, we don’t recommend this but if you have an eye for it, this could be an option for you.

Another way is the twenty pence piece method. This is the most popular way to check the road-worthiness of your tyre treads. Take a twenty pence piece and insert it into the most worn part of your tyre. If you can’t see the rim, your tyres are still ok, but if you can see the outer rim, it is time to get your tyres checked by a professional and look to get them replaced.

Of course, if you are unsure you can always get them checked by a professional to rid your mind of any doubt. We recommend a family run business, Harvey Tyres, based in Longton 34 Wood St, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1EL who offer a fabulous friendly and efficient tyre service. As winter comes, stay safe on the roads and if you need any repairs on your car before the cold weather hits, visit ChipsAway on Trentham Lakes.