Tyres are probably one of the most crucial components of your car when it comes to your safety. Despite many people either ignoring this fact or not knowing about it, almost 15% of the annual accidents that take place around the globe are somehow related to faulty tyres. In fact, just in the UK alone, it has been estimated that nearly, 7500 deaths and serious injuries to date have been caused by problematic car tyres.
Hence, it becomes important for drivers to not only take care of their vehicles, but to be on the lookout for any potential problems with their tyres. Keeping that in mind, we have come up with the following blog that aims to highlight certain signs that indicate tyre tread wear, which can warn you in time to take appropriate action. Thus, when you are out to buy tyres in the West Midlands, you should not only focus on finding the right fit for your car but also make sure to inquire about available tyre maintenance and repair services.
How To Look For Dangerous Tread Wear?
Before you inspect your car tyres, you should know that it is not something that could be taken care of by simply doing it once or twice. You have to remain vigilant and do regular inspections to ensure the longevity and safety of your car tyres. This makes tyre maintenance and inspection quite important. Tyres are not only responsible for your safety but also impact the overall performance of your vehicle; hence, in good condition, they are likely to improve the performance of your car, be it braking, handling, or even fuel economy. So, how should you recognize dangerous telltale signs of tread wear?
Uneven Wear
First, you need to make sure that all four tyres on your car are wearing out evenly. Since tyres are the only component of a car to come in direct contact with the road, it is a given that they will wear out faster than anything else. However, if your tyres are not wearing off evenly, then there might be some underlying cause that could lead to further complications. When your tyres wear unevenly, it will cause a threat to your safety. The tread is responsible for the traction and road grip; thus, a worn-out tread will make it much easier for your car to skid on the road. Furthermore, tread wear will also cause problems with your rolling resistance and might impact the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Shallow Tread Depth
You can also check the tread depth of your tyres when making sure they are fit for the road. Legally, you are required to drive with tyres that have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. However, most tyre manufacturers and car experts recommend replacing tyres when the tread depth falls under 3 mm to ensure the stability and handling of a vehicle. Hence, you should be on the lookout and make sure your tyres are considered safe and fit for driving; otherwise, you might end up with legal trouble as well as an increased risk of getting into an accident.
Tread Developing Cracks
The tread will start developing cracks with age and wear and tear. Tyres are made using a rubber compound, and depending on what tyres you buy, the rubber might be soft or hard. This is to ensure proper road grip under varying scenarios. However, exposure to the elements and prolonged use can cause this rubber compound to break down. This is why if you start noticing cracks all over the tread, you should either immediately go for tyre maintenance or replace your car tyres entirely. You can also call upon a Mobile Tyre Fitting in the West Midlands for a quick inspection without causing much fluctuation to your schedule. Once the mobile fitters reach you, they will provide a detailed summary regarding your car tyres and make suggestions accordingly.
Why is Driving With Damaged Tread Dangerous?
While we have explained that tread damage is dangerous, we believe it is equally important to explain why. You should start by knowing that driving with a damaged or worn-out tire is a risk you should not take. There are all sorts of consequences attached to it, such as poor handling, loss of control, car skidding, tyre blowouts, lower traction, longer stopping distance, etc., only a few among many. When you are driving on a road, you are not only responsible for your safety or the safety of the passengers inside your car, but equally responsible for others traveling on the same road.
Can You Use A Tyre Wear Indicator?
Today, modern tyres come with a wear indicator that allows you to learn more accurate information regarding the status of the tread. However, this doesn't mean you should disregard the warning signs entirely. In fact, you should use the tyre wear indicator in conjecture with the warning signs to be better prepared.
How To Check Tread Depth With A Tyre Tread Wear Indicator?
If your tyres have a tread wear indicator, then you should learn how to check it. It will not only make your work easier but also services like tyre rotation, balancing, alignment, and replacement much more accurate.
To check the tyre tread depth with a tread wear indicator, all you have to do is park your car at an even surface, turn off the engine, and look at the tyres to locate the tread wear indicator. Once found, you will know when to go for tyre replacement. You can also use a tyre depth gauge for a more accurate result.