Get your tyres ready for autumn
As summer draws to a close and we start to look ahead to cooler temperatures and darker evenings, driving conditions can become increasingly challenging. Whether it is rainfall causing flooding on the roads or mulch from under the trees creating a slippery surface, autumn certainly presents a number of driving hazards.
For this reason, it is important to be prepared and to ensure that your vehicle is fit for the road all year round. Tyres are vitally important when it comes to staying safe whilst driving. The tread depth should be inspected regularly; if it drops below 3mm, then you should think about getting your tyres replaced.
If tyres are at the legal limit of 1.6mm, independent tests have shown that some cars will take another 44 meters to stop when travelling at a motorway speed in wet weather conditions, compared with tyres at 3mm. If your car’s tyres do fall below the legal limit, then you are at risk of being fined and getting points on your license, so it is extremely important to be aware of your tyre condition.
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Roads won’t just be wet during the autumn, they will also often be covered with fallen leaves which can turn into mulch and create an extremely slippery road surface. Again, this makes it vitally important to examine your tyre’s tread depths, as well as ensuring that their air pressure is correct. With a growing risk of hazardous weather conditions during the autumn, it is also worthwhile checking your spare tyre to ensure that you are well-prepared in case of emergency.
Before the temperatures start to drop, it is also wise to check the overall condition of your tyres. To do this, you can use a 20p coin to establish the tread depth, in addition to checking the sidewall for any abrasions which could potentially impact your tyre’s strength and performance. If you notice that your front tyres are more worn than your rear tyres, then you may be able to consider rotating the wheels in order to maintain more even tread wear. Our expert fitters can advise as to whether this is appropriate and safe for your vehicle.
To ensure peace of mind throughout the autumn and winter, you can book a free tyre check at your local Protyre garage. Protyre’s nationwide team of expert technicians are able to check and check the tread depth and pressure, as well as any wear and damage, in order to confirm that your tyres are both safe and legal. If your tyre inspection highlights any problems, our tyre professionals can provide expert advice as to what can be done to correct the issues.