20p Tyre check

Tyres are arguably the most important components of your car - those four small patches of rubber are all that connect you with the road.  In the winter months, when they are expected to routinely shrug off wet, icy and even snow covered roads, their condition is more important than ever.

Worn tyres pose a genuine hazzard in these conditions.  Tyre grip deteriorates more rapidly in the second half of it's tread life, leading to longer stopping distances, less conering grip and increased chance of aquaplaning.  But judging when it's time to change is something many people find tricky.  So here's a handy tip for you that requires nothing more than a 20p coin.

Inserting a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyres give you a good indication of whether your tyres have sufficient tread depth.  If the outer band of the 20p coin is visible when inserted into the tread, your tyres may be illegal and you should have them checked by a tyre specialist.  If the outer band is not visible on the coin then your tyres have a tread depth well above the legal limit.