With freezing temperatures on the way and forecasters warning that this winter could be the worst winter in five years, it’s important to take some safety precautions when it comes to your car. One of the most important things you should do is to replace your all-weather tyres with snow tyres.
Most people think the all-weather tyres are fine for winter if they are not showing signs of wear. However, freezing temperatures and deep snow and ice, can damage all-weather tyres and compromise their structure. This means they can become unsafe and potentially lead to being stranded in the snow due to a flat tyre.
However, if you cannot afford to replace your tyres, here are some tips for you to ensure your tyres are in tip top condition for the colder weather.
Tread Depth
Your tyre tread must be a minimum of 1.6mm deep in order to comply with UK law. You should check your tyre tread depth more often when it gets down to 3mm and aim to replace them before the tread wears below 2mm. One way of telling that your tyre tread has worn to the legal limit is by looking at the tread wear indicators. These are moulded in the tread grooves. Once they sit flush with the surface of the tread, your tyre tread has worn to the legal limit and the tyres must be replaced.
Cracks in the sidewall
It’s only a matter of time that your car’s tyres begin to show visual signs of damage and you should look out for them. Cracks and cute may begin to appear on the sides of the tyres, particularly throughout summer which dries the tyres out. These cuts on the tyres may lead to air leaks or indicate a future tyre burst. Once you’ve detected them, you should take your car to a garage and get them replaced as soon as you can, especially before the winter sets in.
Vibrations or sounds
If you drive your car on a regular basis you will most probably know how much your car vibrates normally. Once you start feeling excess vibration, or hearing the tyres aggressively hum through your commute, you know they are nearing the end of their life and should be replaced.
Age
Although there is no rule on the longevity of a tyre, tyres over five years old should be thoroughly inspected annually by a professional. Tyres over 10 years old (including spare tyres) should be replaced as a precaution, even if they still appear to be in good condition.
Bubbles, Bulges, and Blisters
When car tyres develop bubbles and bulges, it can indicate a serious issue. Bubbles often come after a hard impact that damages a tyre’s inner lining, but in some cases, they appear for no reason at all. No matter the reason for a bulge or blister, when they arise, you should replace the tyre as soon as possible.
If you feel that your tyres need a check up or replacing, please feel free to contact us on 01604 589179 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday or 8am and 4pm on Saturday to book an appointment.
