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TYRE CARE

What do I need to know about UK tyre law?

UK law requires that your vehicle is fitted with the correct type and size of tyres for the vehicle type you are driving and for the purpose it is being used. This means fitting the right tyres, and for safety ensuring that they are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

The legal limit for minimum depth of the tread on your tyres is 1.6 millimetres, across the central ¾ of the tread going around the complete circumference of the tyre.

For safety reasons it is recommended that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. Leading motoring organisations recommend 2mm and many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing at 3mm. To see the impact on braking distance of different tyre tread depths, click here.

A regular check of your tyres can help you to avoid up to 3 penalty points and £2500 in fines (per tyre) for having tyres worn beyond the legal minimum limit fitted to your vehicle.

It is also a legal requirement to ensure that tyres of different construction types are not fitted to opposite sides of the same axle. The two main tyre types are radial and cross-ply, and these must not be mixed on the same axle.

Mixing brands and patterns of the same construction type is permissible depending on the vehicle type and manufacturers recommendation. Check your vehicles handbook for tyre fitment details and options.

Tyre Pressure

Correct tyre pressure can help to extend the life of your tyre, improve vehicle safety and maintain fuel efficiency. Pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air that has been pumped into the inner lining of your tyre in pounds force (PSI) or BAR pressure

The manufacturer of your vehicle specifies the suitable pressure, and it is your responsibility to make sure that the pressure is checked and corrected on a regular basis, at least every couple of weeks.

There are three main reasons why maintaining the right tyre pressure is important. The first is safety. Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; while over inflated tyres can lead to poor handling on the road.

The second reason is cost-efficiency. Over or under inflated tyres suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly. Vehicles with under-inflated tyres also require more fuel to maintain the same speed.

The third reason for maintaining the correct tyre pressure is that it helps to extend the legal life of the tyre, saving you time and money. This is because a tyre with the correct tyre pressure avoids premature or uneven wear.

Click here to see an example of a correctly inflated tyre.

It's important to check tyre pressure regularly. It's not always apparent that air is being lost, but it generally escapes at the rate of up to two pounds of air every month. More air is usually lost during warm weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise.

Look for the tyre pressure recommended for your vehicle in your vehicle hand book or within the technical information usually found on the inside of your vehicle's front right hand door or fuel filler flap.

Always check the tyre pressure with a tyre pressure gauge when your tyres are cold. Finally, if you are using your vehicle to carry additional load or weight, always consult your vehicle handbook for the correct loaded tyre pressure.

Wheel Alignment

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

Wheel alignment can be affected by driving against a kerb, hitting a pothole in the road or by excessive wear to steering or suspension components. Alignment of wheels and tyres to the specification required by your vehicle is an important way to guarantee a smooth ride and to get the most out of your tyres.

The direction and angle at which tyres are set are both important. Wheel alignment or 'tracking' involves checking the direction and angle against vehicle manufacturers' specifications. These are often described as toe in, toe out, positive camber or negative camber.

"Toe" refers to whether the front of the tyres are closer or further apart than the rear of the tyres. Different types of vehicles need different toe settings to allow for the way that wheels pull either towards each other or apart.

"Camber" is the inward or outward tilt of a tyre. The camber is set by the vehicle manufacturer, and can be affected by potholes in the road and may need to be adjusted periodically.

Click here to see an illustration of "Toe" and "Camber"

It's worth keeping an eye out for unusual wear on your tyres, such as premature wear on the inside or outside shoulder, which could be caused by an incorrect camber setting.

New Valves

Valves help to maintain tyre pressure, vehicle safety and tyre life

The valve in your wheel and tyre assembly is a small but very important part of your vehicle. It holds the pressure inside the tyre assembly and is the access point for regulating your tyre pressure. A valve cap in good condition is also essential as it provides the primary seal and prevents dirt from getting inside.

Rubber valves deteriorate with age and use. During use the valve may become damaged or worn but will inevitably deteriorate through ageing and the force it is subjected to while driving. They are relatively inexpensive yet vital to the performance of tyres. It's therefore recommended by manufacturers to replace valves every time your tyres are changed.

An increasing number of vehicle makes and models have pressure sensor valves. The sensors feed back automatically to the driver display and show variations to the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressure.

Wheel Balancing

If wheels are not balanced, the result could be uncomfortable driving, and premature wearing of suspension and steering components, rotating parts and tyres.

Correctly balanced wheels help to eliminate vibration and avoid premature wear caused by an imbalance in the rotating wheel and tyre assembly.

Vibrations happen because of the structure of a wheel assembly. Two slightly imperfect units are joined to form one complete assembly, and there is usually uneven weight distribution - heavy spots cause the wheel to wobble from side to side.

This means that wheels need to be balanced using small weights that smooth out weight distribution and stop the vibration.

The first sign that your wheels may be out of balance is when your steering wheel starts to wobble above a certain speed. The light weight of modern cars means that they don't dampen down the vibrations caused by spinning wheels in the way that older, heavier vehicles could.

A driver may not always sense an imbalance at the steering wheel. It could be present with but dampened by the vehicle weight. This is why balancing is equally important for both front and rear wheels.

Wheels are balanced on a wheel balancing machine. The machine rotates the tyre and wheel assembly and automatically calculates the weight and location of the balance counter weight.

As a result of wheel balancing, you should notice a smoother ride and better wear from your tyres, again saving you time and money.

Tyre Rotation

You should consider rotating your tyres so that you get consistent wear from all of the tyres.

Your manual will tell you how and how often to rotate the tyres (which means swapping them between the different wheel positions on your car) but a general rule of thumb should be that tyres are rotated every six thousand miles. Please note, you should not rotate tyres if a tyre pressure monitoring system is fitted to your vehicle.

Remember also, you should not automatically include the spare tyre in the rotation sequence. Some spare tyres are specifically manufactured for emergency and temporary use only; check your vehicle handbook for details.

Spare Tyres

The purpose of a spare tyre is to provide a replacement if one of the tyres on your vehicle is flat or damaged. This means that it is vital to check your spare tyre as carefully as those in day to day use.

It's also important to be prepared for changing a tyre, which you may need to do in fairly difficult locations (such as at the side of a motorway in the rain). You should also familiarise yourself with the location of the car jack and the spare tyre before you need to use them in a real situation. Ensure also that you have a wheel brace as well as a good, inflated spare tyre.

Spare tyres can be full-size or temporary space saver 'mini spares'.

'Mini spares' are designed to take up less room in your vehicle and to get you home, but not to be driven on for long periods. Many of the space savers can not be used at speeds over 50mph; consult your space saver wheel or vehicle handbook for specific details.

Tyre Repair

Repairing a tyre is not as straightforward as you first might think.

Tyre repairs are covered by BSAU159f:1990 which splits repairs into two categories - minor repairs and major repairs. The British Standard also defines limits to the location, size and number of repairs that can be carried out and makes recommendations also on the repair materials to be used.

Click here to see an illustration.

A tyre must always be checked thoroughly before it is repaired. If the tyre displays any of the following, it should not be repaired;

Illegal tread depth (below 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre tread throughout the entire circumference)
Run flat damage
Secondary damage - caused by the injuring object
Ageing/deterioration of tyre rubber
Bead damage
Exposed cords
Faulty/poor previous repairs

Inspection is vital - if you have any doubts about whether or not a tyre should be repaired, do not repair it.



	TYRE CARE What do I need to know about UK tyre law? UK law requires that your vehicle is fitted with the correct type and size of tyres for the vehicle type you are driving and for the purpose it is being used. This means fitting the right tyres, and for safety ensuring that they are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. The legal limit for minimum depth of the tread on your tyres is 1.6 millimetres, across the central ¾ of the tread going around the complete circumference of the tyre. For safety reasons it is recommended that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. Leading motoring organisations recommend 2mm and many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing at 3mm. To see the impact on braking distance of different tyre tread depths, click here. A regular check of your tyres can help you to avoid up to 3 penalty points and £2500 in fines (per tyre) for having tyres worn beyond the legal minimum limit fitted to your vehicle. It is also a legal requirement to ensure that tyres of different construction types are not fitted to opposite sides of the same axle. The two main tyre types are radial and cross-ply, and these must not be mixed on the same axle. Mixing brands and patterns of the same construction type is permissible depending on the vehicle type and manufacturers recommendation. Check your vehicles handbook for tyre fitment details and options. Tyre Pressure Correct tyre pressure can help to extend the life of your tyre, improve vehicle safety and maintain fuel efficiency. Pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air that has been pumped into the inner lining of your tyre in pounds force (PSI) or BAR pressure The manufacturer of your vehicle specifies the suitable pressure, and it is your responsibility to make sure that the pressure is checked and corrected on a regular basis, at least every couple of weeks. There are three main reasons why maintaining the right tyre pressure is important. The first is safety. Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; while over inflated tyres can lead to poor handling on the road. The second reason is cost-efficiency. Over or under inflated tyres suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly. Vehicles with under-inflated tyres also require more fuel to maintain the same speed. The third reason for maintaining the correct tyre pressure is that it helps to extend the legal life of the tyre, saving you time and money. This is because a tyre with the correct tyre pressure avoids premature or uneven wear. Click here to see an example of a correctly inflated tyre. It's important to check tyre pressure regularly. It's not always apparent that air is being lost, but it generally escapes at the rate of up to two pounds of air every month. More air is usually lost during warm weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise. Look for the tyre pressure recommended for your vehicle in your vehicle hand book or within the technical information usually found on the inside of your vehicle's front right hand door or fuel filler flap. Always check the tyre pressure with a tyre pressure gauge when your tyres are cold. Finally, if you are using your vehicle to carry additional load or weight, always consult your vehicle handbook for the correct loaded tyre pressure. Wheel Alignment Incorrect alignment can result in rapid irregular tyre wear and can even affect the handling and safety of the vehicle. Wheel alignment can be affected by driving against a kerb, hitting a pothole in the road or by excessive wear to steering or suspension components. Alignment of wheels and tyres to the specification required by your vehicle is an important way to guarantee a smooth ride and to get the most out of your tyres. The direction and angle at which tyres are set are both important. Wheel alignment or 'tracking' involves checking the direction and angle against vehicle manufacturers' specifications. These are often described as toe in, toe out, positive camber or negative camber. "Toe" refers to whether the front of the tyres are closer or further apart than the rear of the tyres. Different types of vehicles need different toe settings to allow for the way that wheels pull either towards each other or apart. "Camber" is the inward or outward tilt of a tyre. The camber is set by the vehicle manufacturer, and can be affected by potholes in the road and may need to be adjusted periodically. Click here to see an illustration of "Toe" and "Camber" It's worth keeping an eye out for unusual wear on your tyres, such as premature wear on the inside or outside shoulder, which could be caused by an incorrect camber setting. New Valves Valves help to maintain tyre pressure, vehicle safety and tyre life The valve in your wheel and tyre assembly is a small but very important part of your vehicle. It holds the pressure inside the tyre assembly and is the access point for regulating your tyre pressure. A valve cap in good condition is also essential as it provides the primary seal and prevents dirt from getting inside. Rubber valves deteriorate with age and use. During use the valve may become damaged or worn but will inevitably deteriorate through ageing and the force it is subjected to while driving. They are relatively inexpensive yet vital to the performance of tyres. It's therefore recommended by manufacturers to replace valves every time your tyres are changed. An increasing number of vehicle makes and models have pressure sensor valves. The sensors feed back automatically to the driver display and show variations to the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressure. Wheel Balancing If wheels are not balanced, the result could be uncomfortable driving, and premature wearing of suspension and steering components, rotating parts and tyres. Correctly balanced wheels help to eliminate vibration and avoid premature wear caused by an imbalance in the rotating wheel and tyre assembly. Vibrations happen because of the structure of a wheel assembly. Two slightly imperfect units are joined to form one complete assembly, and there is usually uneven weight distribution - heavy spots cause the wheel to wobble from side to side. This means that wheels need to be balanced using small weights that smooth out weight distribution and stop the vibration. The first sign that your wheels may be out of balance is when your steering wheel starts to wobble above a certain speed. The light weight of modern cars means that they don't dampen down the vibrations caused by spinning wheels in the way that older, heavier vehicles could. A driver may not always sense an imbalance at the steering wheel. It could be present with but dampened by the vehicle weight. This is why balancing is equally important for both front and rear wheels. Wheels are balanced on a wheel balancing machine. The machine rotates the tyre and wheel assembly and automatically calculates the weight and location of the balance counter weight. As a result of wheel balancing, you should notice a smoother ride and better wear from your tyres, again saving you time and money. Tyre Rotation You should consider rotating your tyres so that you get consistent wear from all of the tyres. Your manual will tell you how and how often to rotate the tyres (which means swapping them between the different wheel positions on your car) but a general rule of thumb should be that tyres are rotated every six thousand miles. Please note, you should not rotate tyres if a tyre pressure monitoring system is fitted to your vehicle. Remember also, you should not automatically include the spare tyre in the rotation sequence. Some spare tyres are specifically manufactured for emergency and temporary use only; check your vehicle handbook for details. Spare Tyres The purpose of a spare tyre is to provide a replacement if one of the tyres on your vehicle is flat or damaged. This means that it is vital to check your spare tyre as carefully as those in day to day use. It's also important to be prepared for changing a tyre, which you may need to do in fairly difficult locations (such as at the side of a motorway in the rain). You should also familiarise yourself with the location of the car jack and the spare tyre before you need to use them in a real situation. Ensure also that you have a wheel brace as well as a good, inflated spare tyre. Spare tyres can be full-size or temporary space saver 'mini spares'. 'Mini spares' are designed to take up less room in your vehicle and to get you home, but not to be driven on for long periods. Many of the space savers can not be used at speeds over 50mph; consult your space saver wheel or vehicle handbook for specific details. Tyre Repair Repairing a tyre is not as straightforward as you first might think. Tyre repairs are covered by BSAU159f:1990 which splits repairs into two categories - minor repairs and major repairs. The British Standard also defines limits to the location, size and number of repairs that can be carried out and makes recommendations also on the repair materials to be used. Click here to see an illustration. A tyre must always be checked thoroughly before it is repaired. If the tyre displays any of the following, it should not be repaired; Illegal tread depth (below 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre tread throughout the entire circumference) Run flat damage Secondary damage - caused by the injuring object Ageing/deterioration of tyre rubber Bead damage Exposed cords Faulty/poor previous repairs Inspection is vital - if you have any doubts about whether or not a tyre should be repaired, do not repair it.
















ADDISON TYRE CENTRE 52A HIGH STREET, PRINCES END, TIPTON, WEST MIDLANDS. DY4 9HP 0121 557 4019