Keeping your tyres safe

The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. But legality and safety are different numbers: braking and wet grip start to deteriorate well before 1.6 mm. Many motoring organisations recommend replacing tyres at 3 mm for year-round confidence, and 3 mm is a sensible point to start planning.

• Check tread depth at several points across the tyre — edges wear differently from the centre.
• Use the tyre's built-in wear indicators, or a 20p coin: if the coin's outer band is hidden, tread is around 3 mm or more.
• Uneven wear across a tyre usually means a pressure, alignment or suspension issue — worth investigating, not ignoring.

Run tyres at the pressures your manufacturer specifies (check the driver's door plate or handbook — the figure varies with load and speed). Do it cold: a short drive heats tyres up and inflates the reading.

• Under-inflated tyres wear the shoulders, increase rolling resistance and run hotter at speed.
• Over-inflated tyres wear the centre and reduce grip, making the ride harsh.
• Check at least monthly, and always before a long trip or a heavy load.
• Cold weather drops pressures — a sudden cold snap is exactly when to re-check.

The sidewall is the tyre's structure — damage there is rarely repairable. Look for cuts, bulges, cracks, exposed cords or grazing from kerbing. A bulge or a deep cut means the tyre's structure is compromised: have it inspected and, in most cases, replaced.

• Kerbing can damage the sidewall even when the wheel looks fine — inspect after any impact.
• Don't repair sidewall punctures; repairs to the tread area are only valid within the tyre's repair zone and by a qualified fitter.
• Cap or cup wear on the shoulders points to under-inflation; a feathered edge points to tracking issues.

Tyres don't just wear out — they age. Rubber degrades over time regardless of mileage; some manufacturers advise replacement after around 6 years from manufacture, and tyres older than 10 years should be replaced. The manufacture date is in the DOT code on the sidewall (last four digits: week and year).

Rotating tyres front-to-rear can even out wear and extend life — but on many modern cars the front and rear axles run different sizes, and directional tyres can't be cross-swapped. When in doubt, keep rotation simple and ask a professional.

Summer, all-season and winter tyres differ in compound and tread design. Summer tyres suit most UK driving most of the year; all-seasons trade a little dry grip for all-weather flexibility; winters genuinely help in cold, snowy or icy conditions. Our sample catalogue covers summer and all-season ranges — and we'll publish a fuller compare guide in News.