Take action this Tyre Safety Month​

October 2015 marks the start of Tyre Safety Month, when motorists are urged to complete important tyre safety checks. The initiative was set up by TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, which is also running a competition to win tyres worth £300. All participants need to do is post a picture proving they checked the air pressure, condition and tread depth of their vehicle’s tyres on the organisation’s Facebook page.

Although TyreSafe asks UK motorists the tongue-in-cheek question ‘when did you last do it?’ to prompt them to complete checks, it is a topic to take seriously. Tyres make a huge contribution to a vehicle’s safety as they help the car grip the road and brake effectively.

Worn tyres not only put the safety of you and other road users in jeopardy, but could also see you face a fine and penalty points. To support TyreSafe’s cause, we’ve outlined the simple checks you can make today to decide if your model needs a fresh set of tyres.

Overall condition

Look for any cuts, tears or bulges which expose the ply or cord. Any visible cuts or tears must not exceed 25mm in size or ten percent of the sectional width of the tyre.

Tread depth

Adequate tread depth is vital. Legal requirements state that tyre tread depth must be at a minimum of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the width of the tread and the entire circumference. You can check the depth using a tread depth gauge which you’ll find at any leading motoring shop. You can also complete the 20p test. Simply insert the coin into the tread in multiple places. If the outer band of the coin is visible, it’s time for a new set.

Air pressure

The tyre air pressure must be at the right level to safely carry the load of the car. You will find the appropriate level for your model in the owner’s manual. To check the pressure, connect a foot or electric pump to the valve stem and measure the reading.

RMB Motors teams carry out comprehensive tyre health checks at our service centres across the North East. We also have a range of special deals that we offer according to the time of year, so now is an ideal time to come to us and get your car ready for winter. To book a tyre health check or enquire about our other aftersales services, please contact your nearest RMB dealership.

Contact your nearest RMB dealership