TYRES AND 4 WHEEL GEOMETRY

Why are tyre checks so important?

Your tyres are the only point of contact your vehicle has with the road. This is why it’s extremely important that you select the right type of tyres for the vehicle you are driving and for the purpose it is being used.

Checking your legal tyre tread depth on all four tyres every two weeks is one of the most important checks you can make on your car. And if you have one, don’t forget to check the spare tyre too.

Beside the safety risks, you could risks a £2,500 fine per tyre and three penalty points for a worn tyre.

If all four tyres are worn below the legal limit, you could potentially lose your licence and face a £10,000 fine.

When should I get new tyres?

Tyre and safety experts believe 3mm is the minimum sufficient to guarantee safety. Once tyres are below 3mm, stopping distances increase dramatically.

Worn tyres are particularly dangerous in the wet because a tyre’s tread helps disperse water away from the contact patch between tyre and road.

If there’s less tread depth, less water can be shifted, increasing the risk of aquaplaning and losing grip.

Therefore, deeper tread means they can work better, improving grip. 

How to check tyre tread depth with the 20p test

The 20p test is a simple and quick way of checking the tyre tread of your vehicle's wheels. 

Simply take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can't see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit (1.6mm).

However, if you can see the band and that section of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and require inspection by a mechanic.

We recommend to conduct the 20p test about every two weeks and before long journeys.

Why is wheel alignment important?

Wheel alignment problems can be caused by hitting a kerb, driving into a pothole in the road, suspension components or by excessive wear to steering.

It is important to get your wheel alignment checked annually to ensure you get the most out of your tyres.

Checking regularly the wheel alignment on your vehicle can prolong the life of your tyres by up to 12,000 miles, increase fuel efficiency and fix steering issues.

Wheel alignment (or tracking) is the process of ensuring your vehicle’s wheels are set to the optimum position, as per the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.

Incorrect alignment can result in rapid irregular tyre wear and can even affect the handling and safety of the vehicle.

Keep an eye out for unusual wear on your tyres, such as premature wear on the inside or outside shoulder, which could be a sign of incorrect alignment.

We can supply and fit tyres, and offer 4 wheel laser geometry on most cars and light commercial vehicles including the followings: