Published 30 April 2025
How to take care of your car tyres
Your tyres are one of the most important safety features on your car. Well-maintained vehicles are not only required by law,but also make for a smooth journey and can help save you money in the long run.
Tyre maintenance might not sound exciting, but without good quality wheels, you can’t get from A to B. It pays to understand the basics.
Here are some of our tips to look after your tyres…
Check your tyre pressure
Having the correct tyre pressure is important for both your safety and extending the life of your tyre.
Underinflated tyres can be dangerous to drive on as they affect the handling of the car, especially when turning a corner. This can increase the risk of skidding or losing control of your car.
Low tyre pressure can also put extra strain on the wall of the tyre and cause it to wear, split or puncture.
If you’re putting off checking your tyres because of the potential cost of replacing them, you should reconsider. Flat tyres often cause an increase in rolling resistance which affects the fuel efficiency of your car. This means you’re not only unsafe, but spending more on fuel too!
Make sure you know what your tyre pressure should be, and check them regularly – every few weeks is ideal. You can find the tyre pressure guide for your car in:
- ● The inside of the driver's door.
- ● The glove compartment.
- ● The owner’s manual.
To keep your tyres correctly inflated, check them when they're cold. When they warm up, the air will expand which will give an incorrect reading.
Remember to not overinflate your tyres unless the car is carrying a heavy load. The owner's manual will tell you what the correct air pressure should be for the weight being carried.
What’s the legal requirement for tyre pressure?
It's your responsibility to make sure your car is roadworthy and passes its Ministry of Transport test (MOT). This includes checking that your car's tyres are within legal limits. The law covers three main areas of tyre safety.
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Check the tread of your tyres
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Check the condition of your tyres
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Check the size of your tyres
The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, yet many motoring groups recommend replacing tyres at 3mm to be safe.
Use a tyre tread gauge or see a specialist to avoid fines and penalty points.
Some things to look out for when checking your tyre include lumps, bulges, and cracks and tears in the wall of your tyres.
If you’re unsure or see something that doesn’t look normal, best practice is to get your tyres checked by a professional.
Different sized or incorrect wheels can cause an imbalance in both your steering and brakes. Each tyre on the same axle of your car must be the same size and specification and fit the make and model of your car.
What should you do if you get a punctured tyre?
Sometimes a damaged tyre is out of your control, and you can find yourself stuck with a puncture. If the puncture happens when you're driving, you'll probably feel the handling of the car change and even hear a strange flapping sound from the tyre.
Here’s what to do if your car gets a puncture while driving:
- Stay calm and avoid stopping in the road.
- Keep both hands on the wheel.
- Slow your speed down.
- Find somewhere safe to pull over.
- Call roadside assistance.
- Change to your spare tyre.
Changing your tyres
Most vehicles have a spare tyre or a space saver tyre. If you feel confident enough to change the tyre yourself, then only do so if you’re off the road, away from traffic and when all your passengers are out of the car before you start.
Never change a tyre on the hard shoulder of a motorway or busy road – as this is dangerous. If you’re stuck in a sticky situation or unable to change your own tyre, best practice is to call your breakdown cover provider for professional help.
If you're parked up at home and discover a puncture, depending on the level of your breakdown cover, then we’ll provide assistance at your home and get you on your journey as soon as possible.
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