Tyre Law - BE TYRE SMART

Whether you drive a limousine, a family saloon, a flash sports car or something more humble. Your cars have one thing in common. The safe performance of your vehicle is highly dependent on the quality of those four tyres, each with a road contact patch not much bigger than the average persons hand whether you are travelling at 20mph or 70 mph!



Your tyres are your contact with the road and are responsible for:

Acceleration Steering Safe stopping of your vehicle.

Are all tyres the same?

Tyres are not just black and round; they are highly complex engineered products resulting from years of investment in research and development. Tyre performance characteristics can vary markedly and so it is important to ensure that they are the correct specification for your car.

Every new car-type tyre, other than retreads, must meet European standards for load/speed performance and be marked on the sidewall with

Tread Depth

On passenger cars, trailers and light vans up to 3500kg in weight there must be a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth in continuous bands around the tyre across the central ¾ width of the tyre. But don’t wait until you get to the legal minimum, Tanvic would recommend tyres are changed at a minimum of 2mm and preferably closer to 3mm.

When you consider that new tyres have approximately 7mm of tread depth the water shifting capability of your tyres on wet road conditions is steadily compromised as tread depth diminishes.

Tyre Condition There must be no cuts or abrasions exposing the steel or fabric cords of the tyre casing. No bulges on either the tread or in particular the sidewall of the tyre which is usually the area most prone to damage. Cross ply v Radial
Observe the law with regard to fitting cross ply tyres, which should never be mixed on the same axle with radial tyres. Fortunately almost all modern tyres are radials

Speed Rating

Tyres are made to a given load and speed rating specification. For example the tyres specified for a family saloon may not be suitable for a fast sports car, make sure the correct ones are fitted.

Inflation Pressure

WRONG TYRE PRESSURES. (high or low) will cause more rapid wear and shorter tyre life. LOW TYRE PRESSURES. Under inflation is one of the leading causes of tyre failure; it can result in unnecessary tyre stress, irregular wear and possible loss of vehicle control. Not only that, under inflation will increase fuel consumption and as we all know, fuel is a lot more expensive than a shot of air !! HIGH TYRE PRESSURES. Over inflation is also highly undesirable with risks from blow out, uneven wear and a harsh ride. Consult the manufactures guidelines for the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle.

Wheel Alignment and Wheel Nuts

Incorrect wheel alignment will cause uneven tyre wear and affect vehicle handling. Have your tyre dealer check alignment periodically.

Regularly check your wheel nuts for tightness and again consult your tyre dealer or car manufacturer for advice if required.

Severe Penalties if you break the law.

The penalties for offences related to the use of faulty tyres on vehicles are very severe.

In the case of any vehicles, except goods vehicles and vehicles adapted to carry more than eight passengers, for every offence there is a fine at level 4 of the standard scale with discretionary disqualification with 3 penalty points.

Currently up to £2,500 and each faulty tyre is considered as a separate offence. In other words two faulty tyres equals £5,000.

OFFENCES CAN RELATE TO:

TREAD DEPTH - a tyre worn below the legal minimum. MIXING - an incorrect mixture of radial and cross ply tyres. INFLATION - a tyre not inflated to make it suitable for the purpose to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put. CUTS - certain long and deep cuts as specified in regulations. LUMPS, BULGES OR TEARS - caused by separation or partial failure of the tyre structure. EXPOSED PLY OR CORD UNSUITABILITY - regarding the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put or to the types of tyres fitted to its other wheels.

Practice Good Driving Habits to help keep your tyres in top condition

Obey speed limits – excessive speed increases wear and tear. Avoid fast starts, stops, turns and skids. Avoid potholes and other objects in the road Do not run over the kerb or chafe the kerb when parking your car. Do not overload your car. Consult manufacturers guidelines.

For good quality advice on tyres consult a reputable tyre retailer who has appropriately skilled and regularly trained staff with City & Guilds certificates of competence or similar.