You’ve got your licence, you’ve got your car, but have you thought about your tyres?
Tyres might seem boring (we beg to differ!), but tyres are the secret behind smooth, safe driving – and keeping them in good nick can save you money too!
Here’s the basic tyre knowledge you’ll need to understand your mechanic, look after your tyres, and stay safe on the road. Tyre safety can really be as easy as A, B, C!
A – Alignment
What is it: Wheel alignment, or wheel tracking, is all about making sure your wheels are pointing in the right direction and are properly lined up with each other and the road.
Why it matters: Poor alignment can cause pulling, uneven tyre wear, and reduce handling.
B – Balancing
What is it: Wheel balancing is a test to check that the tyre and wheel rotate smoothly under the weight of the car.
Why it matters: Unbalanced tyres cause vibrations, uneven wear, and reduce grip.
C – Cracking
What is it: Cracking is a type of tyre defect that happens when the rubber starts to degrade, and the polymer bonds break down.
Why it matters: Tyres with cracks are more prone to punctures, deflation, reduced grip and blowouts – and they can make your ride noticeably bumpy!
D – Dry traction
What is it: Dry traction is the measure of how well a tyre grips the road when it is dry.
Why it matters: Good dry traction improves braking, cornering, and overall vehicle control.
E – Emergency repairs
What is it: Emergency repairs are the quick fixes you can do if your tyre gets damaged while on the road. Types of emergency repairs you can complete include changing your tyres, fitting a space saver and using an emergency puncture repair kit.
Why it matters: Knowing how to do an emergency repair can save you time and stress. You should see a tyre professional as soon as possible for a proper fix.
F – Flat Tyres
What is it: Flat tyres are tyres that have lost air because of a puncture, a valve issue or sidewall damage.
Why it matters: A flat tyre can cause loss of control, reduced grip, and tyre damage.
G – Grip
What is it: Grip is the ability of a tyre to ‘hold’ the road.
Why it matters: Good grip improves braking, cornering, and overall safety.
H – Hydroplaning
What is it: Hydroplaning or ‘aquaplaning’ is what happens when a tyre loses contact with the road due to wet conditions.
Why it matters: Hydroplaning can cause the vehicle to skid, reducing your ability to steer or brake safely.
I – Internal structure
What is it: The internal structure of a tyre is made up of belts, plies, and cords, and helps the tyre maintain its shape.
Why it matters: Damage inside the tyre can lead to blowouts, uneven wear, and reduced grip, even if the outside looks fine.
J – Jacking points
What is it: The reinforced area under the car where it is safe to place a jack for tyre changes.
Why it matters: Using the wrong jacking point can damage the car or cause injury.
K – Kerb rash
What is it: Kerb rash is damage to the tyre sidewalls caused by hitting the kerb.
Why it matters: Kerb rash weakens your tyres and can cause punctures and irregular wear.
L – Laws
What is it: The main legal requirements for tyres in the UK are:
- Tyre tread depth: 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre
- Tyre pressure: Should align with the manufacturer’s recommendations
- Tyre condition: Should be free of serious damage, like bulges, cuts or cracks
Why it matters: Driving with illegal tyres can lead to fines, failed MOTs, and increased risk of accidents.
M – Mileage
What is it: How many miles a tyre can be driven on before wearing out.
Why it matters: Knowing your tyre’s mileage helps you plan replacements, avoid accidents, and get the most value from your tyres.
N – Noise
What is it: It may sound silly, but the sound a tyre makes while driving!
Why it matters: Unusual noises can indicate your tyre is worn, imbalanced, unaligned or damaged.
O – Overinflation
What is it: Overinflation is what happens when a tyre is filled with too much air, making it stiffer and less flexible.
Why it matters: Tyres that are overinflated will wear more on the tread centre and will have reduced grip.
P – Punctures
What is it: A puncture is a hole or abnormality in the tyre structure that can cause air pressure to be lost.
Why it matters: Punctures can lead to flat tyres, blowouts, and unsafe driving.
Q – Quality
What is it: Quality tyres are tyres that meet high standards of safety and durability.
Why it matters: Part-worn or poor-quality tyres wear faster and reduce safety.
R – Rotation
What is it: Tyre rotation is the practice of swapping tyres from one position on your car to another.
Why it matters: Tyre rotation helps tyres to wear evenly and extends their lifespan.
S – Sidewall markings
What is it: Sidewall markings are symbols on the side of the tyre that show important information.
Why it matters: Sidewall markings help you to choose new tyres, understand your tyres’ age, speed and load capabilities, as well as other specifications.
T – Tyre tread
What is it: Tyre tread is the patterned part of the tyre that touches the road.
Why it matters: The tyre tread helps to clear water from the road surface, prevent aquaplaning, and improve grip.
U – Underinflation
What is it: Underinflation is what happens when a tyre is underfilled with air, making it flexible and prone to deformation.
Why it matters: Tyres that are underinflated will wear more on the outer edges and will be less fuel efficient.
V – Visual inspections
What is it: Visual inspections are regular checks of your tyres for tread depth, cracks, bulges, or foreign objects.
Why it matters: Visual inspections help you to notice damage quickly, prevent accidents and save money on costly replacements.
W – Winter tyres
What are they: Winter tyres are a type of tyre designed specifically with snow and ice in mind.
Why they matter: Using winter tyres in cold conditions improves grip, braking, and overall vehicle control.
X – XL tyres
What are they: XL tyres are tyres designed with stiffer sidewalls to safely carry heavier vehicles or heavier loads. These are usually fitted onto vehicles like vans and Electric Vehicles.
Why they matter: XL tyres can carry heavily loads without risk of damage. When buying tyres for a heavy vehicle, it’s important not to buy standard tyres as they will not be able to safely support the vehicle’s weight.
Y – “Y” speed rating
What is it: The ‘Y’ speed rating is part of the tyre speed rating system, and indicates the maximum speed a tyre can travel under its maximum load.
Why it matters: Understanding a tyre’s performance limits can help you to pick the right tyre for your needs and ensure you stay safe on the road.
Z – Zero-pressure tyres
What are they: Zero-pressure tyres, or run-flats, are tyres that can run uninflated for at least 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph.
Why they matter: Run-flat tyres allow you to drive safely to a safe location and tyre professional after a puncture.
Learn more about tyres and tyre safety
At TyreSafe, we are dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of tyre safety. Stay safe and sound and road-ready with our tyre help and advice.