How to check your tyre tread depth




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If your tyre tread depth is too low, you aren't just at risk of a puncture - your vehicle will be unable to retain the correct traction on the road, increasing your likelihood of losing control and getting into an accident. Your car's performance and its fuel efficiency will also be negatively affected by insufficient tyre tread depth.

At YourNewTyres, all of the replacement tyres provided by our mobile tyre fitters are brand-new, so will surpass the required tread depth and exceed all safety standards. A new tyre has a tread depth of 8mm.




What should my tyre tread depth be?




The minimum tyre tread depth should be 1.6mm. This is the law in the UK and across Europe, and failing to adhere to this can lead to legal sanctions.

However, nobody expects you to get your ruler out! There are a couple of fast and effective ways to check if your tyre tread depth reaches the legal minimum or not. We've gone into detail about some of the most popular methods below.




Tread Wear Indicators





tyre tread depth indicator





Almost every tyre sold in the UK has a treadwear indicator embedded in the tread. These small raised bumps are exactly 1.6mm from the base of the tyre tread.




Therefore, if you spot these indicators, and your tyre tread is level with them, then the tread is too shallow and should be replaced immediately.




The 20p Test




If you can't spot tyre tread depth indicators, you can use a 20 pence piece to check the depth of your tyre tread.




Did you know that the band that runs around the outside of a 20 pence coin is exactly 1.6mm in diameter too? Simply put your 20p inside your tyre tread. If the tread depth is deeper than the band around the 20p, the car is safe to drive.




testing tyre tread depth with a 20p




What should I do if my tyre tread depth is too shallow?




Your vehicle is not safe to drive if the tyre tread depth is too shallow, and it would be illegal to take it on the road. You cannot safely repair this issue on your tyre either - you will need a replacement.

We have cheap tyres available throughout the North West - get in touch with us and we'll help you out!




Call us today! 07494 112950