Did you know you should check your tyre pressure and tread at least once a month? Good tyre health means better grip, improved handling, shorter braking distances and, most importantly, a safer journey for you and everyone else on the road. Plus, staying on top of tyre maintenance can save you from fines or penalty points.
Tyre Safety Month, held annually in October, is a campaign aimed at raising awareness about tyre safety as we head into the colder months. In 2026, the campaign's theme is "Act Before You REact", encouraging drivers to take preventative action before problems arise. As weather conditions change, this is the perfect time to focus on tyre maintenance.
Regular tyre checks help ensure that worn or under-inflated tyres don't affect your vehicle's overall performance or safety. By keeping your tyres in top condition, you protect yourself, your passengers and other road users.
Around 45% of a typical car tyre is made from rubber, including both natural and synthetic types. The rest is made up of materials like steel wires for strength and textile fabrics (such as polyester or nylon) for flexibility and durability. Other compounds, including carbon black and silica, are added to enhance grip, wear resistance, and overall performance.
Although many people assume tyres are made entirely of rubber, they’re actually far more complex. Understanding what goes into a tyre is a helpful reminder of why regular checks are so important for your safety on the road.
Tyres also have a series of numbers and letters on their sidewalls that tell you everything you need to know about their size, weight capacity, and speed rating. For example, in 205/55 R16 91V:
- 205 - tyre width in millimetres
- 55 - aspect ratio (height as a percentage of width)
- R - radial construction
- 16 - rim diameter in inches
- 91 - load index, showing how much weight the tyre can safely carry
- V - speed rating, indicating the maximum speed the tyre is rated for under specified conditions
Knowing these codes is useful if you ever need to get your tyres replaced. When you take your vehicle somewhere for a professional check, they may ask for these numbers so the correct tyres can be ordered and fitted, keeping your vehicle safe and performing at its best.
This is particularly important for electric vehicles, which can have specific tyre requirements due to their weight and instant torque. Choosing tyres that meet the vehicle manufacturer's specifications is important for the best acoustics and performance.
Understanding Tyre Tread Depth
Around the edge of each tyre, you'll find grooves moulded into the design. These grooves help disperse water and maintain grip on the road, particularly in wet conditions. As tyres wear down, their ability to perform safely can be reduced, making regular tread checks essential.
This is particularly important when driving in winter, when wet and slippery roads can make journeys more challenging.
What is the UK Legal Minimum Tread Depth?
In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and around its entire circumference. Driving on tyres below this limit is not only dangerous but also illegal, potentially resulting in fines, penalty points on your licence, and reduced vehicle safety.
You can be fined up to £2,500 and receive three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
Regularly checking your tread depth ensures your tyres meet the legal requirements and helps maintain top performance on the road.
Are There Different Types of Tread?
Typically, tread patterns are symmetrical, but there are other designs too. Each has its own benefits, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your driving style:
- Symmetrical - For smooth & steady driving
- Asymmetrical - For driving at high speeds & snowy conditions
- Directional - For good handling & driving in wet conditions
The right tread pattern depends on the tyre's design and intended use, so always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Many drivers also choose all-season tyres, which combine features of summer and winter tyres to offer balanced performance in varied UK weather.
Does Tyre Pressure Affect Tread Depth?
It's important to keep an eye on your tyre pressure, as both under-inflated and over-inflated tyres can cause uneven or increased tread wear.
Under-inflated tyres can wear more heavily along the outer edges, while over-inflated tyres can experience increased wear in the centre of the tread.
Incorrect tyre pressure can also affect grip, handling, braking performance and fuel efficiency. Checking your tyre pressure regularly and keeping it at the manufacturer's recommended level helps maintain even wear and safe performance.
What are ‘Bald Tyres’?
'Bald tyres' is the term used to describe tyres that have little to no tread, worn away from wear and tear. With insufficient tread, tyres struggle to maintain grip, particularly on wet roads, increasing the risk of skidding and losing control.
Bald tyres are illegal if they fall below the legal tread depth, so it's important to replace them as soon as you notice significant wear or if it's pointed out during a service or MOT or Vehicle Health Check.
Tyre Checks You Can Do at Home
You can carry out simple tyre checks at home to identify potential issues early. It only takes a few minutes to inspect your tyres and ensure they are in good condition.
Check Tyre Pressure
Use a tyre pressure gauge to measure the air pressure in each tyre. You can find the recommended pressure in your vehicle's manual or the sticker inside the driver's door, or sometimes near the fuel filler cap.
Check your tyres when they're cold and adjust the pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendations and the load you're carrying. Inflate or deflate the tyres as needed.
Inspect Tyre Depth
Use a tread depth gauge or perform the ‘20p coin test’. Insert a 20p coin into the tread grooves; if the outer band is hidden, your tread is above the legal limit. You can also check the tread wear indicators, small raised bars inside the grooves, which show when a tyre needs replacing.
Look for Visible Damage
Check for any cuts, cracks, bulges, or punctures on the tyre’s sidewall or tread. Any visible damage may mean the tyre needs to be replaced.
Check for Uneven Wear
Uneven wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges of the tyre, could indicate issues with alignment, suspension, or tyre pressure.
Inspect Valve Caps
Make sure all valve caps are securely fastened to help prevent air leaks.
Check the Spare Tyre
If your vehicle has a spare tyre, ensure it's properly inflated and free from any visible damage.
How Can JCT600 Help with Your Tyre Health?
At JCT600, we work with leading tyre brands, including Pirelli, Bridgestone and Hankook, in line with our manufacturers' approvals. There's significant research and development behind tyres designed for specific vehicles, helping ensure they perform as the manufacturer intended.
We also offer free tyre checks to help you stay safe on the road. Just let us know when works best for you, and we’ll get your tyre safety check booked in. For more information on tyre and general car maintenance, keep an eye on our latest news, which we regularly update with helpful guides.
Alternatively, explore the range of cars and vans we have available or get in touch if you have any queries.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Keeping your tyres in top condition doesn't mean paying for everything upfront. With the option to Buy Now, Pay Later, you could spread the cost into manageable instalments, helping you stay on top of essential tyre maintenance without putting your safety on hold
Remember to check your tyres at least once a month and before a long journey - don’t get caught out!