Tyre Safety Checks: How to Inspect Your Tyres at Home

Regular tyre checks are one of the simplest — and most effective — safety habits a driver can develop. In the UK, tyre-related defects contribute to hundreds of serious accidents each year. Performing a basic inspection every two weeks takes less than five minutes and gives you early warning of developing problems.

Check Tyre Pressure

Correct tyre pressure is listed in your vehicle handbook and often on a sticker inside the driver's door frame. Use a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold (driven less than two miles). Over-inflated tyres wear in the centre; under-inflated tyres wear on the edges and increase fuel consumption. In cold West Yorkshire winters, pressures naturally drop — check more frequently between October and March.

Inspect Tread Depth

All four tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the width. Use a dedicated tread depth gauge for accuracy. Many tyres have built-in tread wear indicators — small rubber bars moulded into the grooves — which become flush with the tread surface when the legal limit is reached.

Look for Physical Damage

Walk around the car and visually inspect each tyre for cuts, bulges, cracks, or objects embedded in the tread. Pay particular attention to the sidewalls. Any bulge or sidewall cut means the tyre should be replaced immediately — call a mobile tyre service in Leeds to have it done at your home.

Check the Spare

If your car has a spare tyre, include it in your checks. A flat spare is useless in an emergency. Space-saver spares have a maximum speed limit of 50mph — check your handbook before fitting one.