The UK tyre law requires that your vehicle must be fitted with the correct type and size of tyre for your vehicle, in line with the purpose it is being used. There are also laws in place to govern all aspects of your tyres condition; most important is the minimum tread depth. The legal limit for the minimum tread depth on your tyres is 1.6 millimetres across the central for ¾ of the tread going around the complete circumference of the tyre.
If you think about it… your tyres are the only point of contact your vehicle has with the road. So hopefully you can appreciate why it is absolutely crucial that you select the right tyre choice for the vehicle in line with the purpose it is being used. This generally means fitting the right tyres and for your safety ensuring that each tyre is inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
For safety we recommended that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. At 1.6 millimetres, in wet weather it takes an extra car length (8 metres) to stop at 50 mph, than if the tread was at 3 millimetres, which is the reason why many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tyres at 3 millimetres.
Also to avoid additional expense, a regular tyre check can help you avoid 3 penalty points and up to £2,500 in fines (per tyre), if your tyres have been worn beyond the legal minimum limit on your vehicle.
Different tyre construction types on the opposite sides of the same axle, is also a big no, no. It’s a legal requirement to ensure that the two main tyre types are radial and cross-ply, and not be mixed on the same axle. However mixing brands and patterns of the same construction type is permissible depending on the vehicle type and manufacturers recommendation.
We suggest checking your vehicle’s handbook for tyre fitment details and options or feel free to ask Xavier Auto Clinic to look this up for you.