If you are new to driving, there’s a lot to take in; learning how to drive competently, understanding the basics of how a car works, and reading up on general maintenance. Your tyres provide essential road contact, making then a critical component from a safety point of view, and with that in mind, here are a few important aspects of tyre use and maintenance.
- The Tread – Simply put, the tread is the flat section of the tyre that makes contact with the road, and the tread needs to be adequate to provide a channel for rainwater, while also giving you good grip on the road surface. The law in the UK states that tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth, and anything less will not pass the annual MOT inspection. All four tyres should have the same tread pattern, which is why you should always change tyres by the pair, or all four at the same time.
- The Sidewalls – The sidewalls on auto tyres have steel banding to prevent rupture or collapse, and steel radials are the tyres you should be looking at. You should visually inspect all 4 tyres, looking for bulges and tears in the walls, which will ensure a damaged tyre is promptly replaced. If you need to replace tyres, there are garages that provide car tyres in Bristol for affordable prices, and they would have a range of top brands.
- Tyre Pressures – The amount of air inside your tyres must be what the manufacturer recommends, and for the average car, 32-36 psi is recommended. The information would be in the owner’s manual, which you should read thoroughly when you purchase a car, and with regular checks, you can be sure that your tyres will give you good grip.
Tyres are critical and you should make a point of inspecting them regularly.
