From fitting part-worn tyres to performing wheel balancing, the team at Steve’s Tyre Bay has unrivalled expertise on vehicle wheels and tyres. As such, our tyre fitters are perfectly placed to advise motorists in Maidstone or the surrounding areas when they need to replace their old, worn tyres. Fitting a new tyre or a brand-new set isn’t a matter of opinion – it’s a fact. Failure to comply with the existing laws on tyre treads can lead to hefty fines and points on your driving license.
The tread of a tyre is the grooved outer layer that comes into direct contact with the road. Naturally, this rubber compound has been designed to grip the surface, handle high temperatures as a result of friction and resist general wear and tear.
The tyre tread depth also indicates how worn your tyres are, and whether they need replacing or not. Below, we have indicated the various levels of wear, and what they mean.
If you require more information about new tyres, part-worn tyres, wheel balancing or any of our other services, please call us on 01795 421 700. Our friendly tyre fitters are always happy to help with any query from motorists in Maidstone or the neighbouring areas.
When tyre fitters fit new tyres, they come with a tread depth of at least 7mm. RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recommends replacing tyres when they reach a tread depth of 3mm, or 78% worn.
While the minimum legal tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, we strongly advise you don’t take that risk. Whether you buy new tyres or part-worn tyres, when the tread depth falls below 3mm, your vehicle’s braking distance increases significantly. Of course, this poses a significant risk to your health and those of other drivers on the roads of Maidstone.
If you think you need new tyres to replace worn ones, use the guide below as a starting point before contacting us.
If you allow your tyre tread depth to drop below 1.6mm, you currently face a maximum fine of £2,500 and 3 points on your license per tyre.
If you have any doubts about your tyre tread depth, have them checked by the professional tyre fitters at Steve’s Tyre Bay. They could be approaching the legal limit, and buying new tyres always represents a cheaper option than paying a fine.
Our tyre fitters share decades of experience in the supply and fit of new tyres and part-worn tyres, wheel balancing, puncture repair and much more. If you live or work in the Maidstone area and have any issues relating to tyres and wheels, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
