Tyres

All About Tyre Tread Depths

Posted on Author Rashmi

No one checks the car’s tyre tread depths that often. Almost everyone becomes complacent and only checks it before an MOT test. But it is a straightforward and important task and should be done more frequently.

Tyre tread depth has a crucial role in the car’s grip, irrespective of the type of car. The safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users depends on the amount of traction the tyres provide. Nowadays, cars come with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control systems (ESP) to provide an improved grip while driving. For these systems’ best performance, Michelin Tyres Birmingham needs to be in a roadworthy condition.

This article will guide you through everything that you need to know regarding tyre tread depths.

Importance Of Tyre Tread

The size of the wheels and tyres makes no difference; only a small amount of tyres (known as contact patches) has direct contact with the surface of the road. This contact patch is the size of your palm, so it’s paramount to maximize its grip.

Some grooves run around the tyre’s circumference; their depth is called ‘tread depth.’ More tread depth means the tyres will be less worn, and thus, they’ll offer better grip. As only a tiny amount of material has to do so much work, it is crucial to have your tyres in top-notch condition. For this, ensure that there is sufficient tyre tread depth.

Legal Minimum Tyre Tread Depth

According to UK law, 75% of a car tyre’s surface area should have at least 1.6mm tread depth. It doesn’t mean you should only replace your tyres when the tread depth reaches 1.6mm. It is advisable to change them when the tread depth is 3mm as the traction decreases notably below this.

A brand new tyre typically has 8mm tread depth.

What Is The Work Of A Tyre Tread?

Tyre tread is for dispersing water from beneath the tyre. The grooves in the rotating wheel play the role of a pump that sucks away water from the contact patch. It dries the road surface. A properly maintained tyre can dispose of 15 litres of water each second.

This ability of the tyre reduces with a reduction in its tread. Plus, it can cause aquaplaning – the instance where the tyre skims on the water surface instead of the road. You won’t be able to steer or brake if this occurs and might cause serious accidents. This can be prevented if the tyres are in a good condition.

Indicators Of Tyre Tread Wear

Check your tyres minimum once a week. Almost all tyres have tread depth wear indicators etched into the rubber, so it’ll take a few minutes of your time. The indicators are shaped like rectangular horizontal ridges. They get nearer to the tyre surface with the wearing of the tyres. When they are in line with the surface, your tyres need to be replaced immediately.

How To Inspect A Tyre?

You can know if your tyres are reaching the legal minimum tread depth with a visual inspection, but you should do a thorough check as frequently as possible. To do this, you just need a 20p coin.

Put the edge of the coin that is in between your finger and thumb into the gaps of the tread at various points. The rim of this coin has 3mm depth; if the tread height doesn’t pass this mark, it indicates the tyre needs immediate replacing. You can also buy a tread depth gauge from a good car accessory store to get a more precise indication.

If you are doubtful in your ability to infer the correct assessment of your tyres, employ a professional to do so. They’ll also check their overall condition.

So, maintaining the tyre tread depth of Car Tyres Birmingham is vital for everyone’s safety, including you. It won’t hurt to have a cordial relationship with your local tyre supplier. If you familiarise yourself with the staff and become their regular customer, you’ll most probably get free checkups.

93 Replies to “All About Tyre Tread Depths”

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