October marks the UK's National Tyre Safety Month! And as you hit the road for your everyday journeys, it's crucial to prioritise everyone's safety by ensuring your vehicle's tyres are in top-notch condition.

In this special guide we've put together, we'll walk you through essential tips on why tyre safety matters and what Tyre Safety Month is as well as other tips on understanding your tyres and how to check their current safety levels.

Let's roll into October with confidence!

• Tyre Safety and Tyre Safety Month

Understanding the importance of tyre safety is vital. Well-maintained tyres offer benefits like enhanced grip, shorter braking distances, and improved fuel efficiency. Neglecting tyre safety can lead to accidents, fines, or worse if not completely understood.

With the current cost of living crisis, keeping on top of tyre safety is an expense which cannot be neglected due to the potential dangers it poses to all road users.

In the past, many garages have offered free tyre safety checks during this month, so reach out to your local garage and see if you can take advantage of the opportunity.

• First Areas To Consider If You Think Your Tyres May Need Changing

There are many ways in which you can get a general feel for if your tyres need changing. Here are some of the first signs to keep an eye on:

1. Age: Tyres age, even if they haven't been driven on much. Many tyres that are older than six years are more prone to failure, leading to accidents. Even if your motor is not used often, consider replacing them if they fall into this bracket, regardless of how they may look.
2. Vibrations or handling Issues: An out-of-balance or misaligned tyre can lead to uncomfortable vibrations or handling problems. These issues will also increase the tyre wear on your car, even if you have a new tyre fitted. It is worth keeping an eye out for these.

• How To Check Your Tyres

Regular tyre maintenance is key to road safety. Follow these simple steps to ensure your tyres are in optimal condition:

1. Tread Depth: Use the 20p coin test. Insert a 20p coin into the main grooves of your tyre. If the outer rim of the coin is visible, your tread depth may be below the legal minimum of 1.6mm. It's time to replace your tyres.
2. Pressure: Did you know that underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% and are stated as costing UK motorists £600 million per year in wasted fuel costs? Therefore, check your tyre pressure monthly, including the spare tyre. At a time when many of us are keeping a close eye on our finances, it is important to make sure that proper tyre pressure keeps the coins in your pocket, not out on the road. Keeping them properly inflated not only ensures safety but also saves you money.
3. Visual Inspection: Examine your tyres for any signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or foreign objects stuck in the tread. 25% of collisions where a car defect was cited as a contributing factor were because of the driver's tyres. Don't become a statistic – inspect your tyres regularly.

• Conclusion

Your tyres play a vital role in your safety on the road. Regularly checking and maintaining them is a simple yet effective way to ensure a smooth and secure driving experience. As we embrace UK National Tyre Safety Month, let's commit to keeping our tyres in optimal condition and promoting road safety for everyone.

Remember, this guide is focused on everyday driving, not track experiences. But if you are interested in finding out more about our Own Car Track Days and Own Bike Track Days, you can visit our dedicated pages for those today on the TrackDays website.

Stay safe, and happy motoring!