As we head into Winter with the cold weather and icy mornings, many people will happily hop into their car, even for very short trips. It’s easy to forget that the changing weather and temperature can have a significant impact on our cars and in particular the most important parts – the tyres. Having tyres in good condition is vital to stay safe and avoid accidents and breakdowns. After all who wants to be stranded in this weather? So here are a few tips that will help your vehicle keep running smoothly during the colder season.
1) Check your tread on all tyres regularly. Every two weeks is recommended as a minimum. Icy roads can be problematic for tyres. Check the main tread grooves to ensure they are at the correct depth. Tread depth can be checked using a simple gauge. The legal UK tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three quarters and around the circumference. There are guides online showing how to do this. There is even a 20p test which by using a 20p coin you can check the depth, however a gauge is still the most accurate way. 
2) Consider fitting special winter tyres for the winter period. These tyres are designed for temperatures below 7 degrees
3) Do regular checks for cuts, tears, bumps, flat spots and swellings. These can be caused by potholes, ice, bumps or general wear and tear. Badly damaged tyres are a big cause of accidents and breakdowns.
4) Check your tyre pressure. Tyre pressure gauges can be found at most garages. Different car models have differing pressures which can usually be found in the owners manual or on the car door. Tyre air pressure increases as the temperature goes up and decreases in colder weather. Over inflated tyres can and do blow up whilst deflated tyres can cause the car other problems.
5) Don’t put repairs off – It is vital that your car is running at its best and especially so on longer journeys in the heat. Never put off tyre repairs until the next day. If you break down on the motorway, it can be very dangerous as well as frustrating. New tyres don’t always cost the earth and can save lives. If you are looking for tyres in London, you can check Iverson Tyres Every town/city in the UK will have somewhere where you can get new tyres fitted. It’s usually a very quick job too.
6) If carrying more passengers your tyre pressure can change so make sure that you use the correct pressure for your journey and excess car weight.
7) Finally and often forgotten is the spare tyre. This also needs checking at regular intervals just in case of emergencies.
I hope these seven tips will help to keep your car tyres in spick and span condition so that your vehicle is always safe and roadworthy especially in the cold winter weather.
