Why Should I Have My Tyres Checked?
Should I be checking my tyres in between services?
With extended service intervals on modern cars, checking wear and tear items, such as tyres, has become an expected part of the vehicle owner's responsibility.
The tyres on your car are arguably its most important safety feature. They are the sole point of contact between your car and the road, and should ideally be checked on a weekly basis - but in reality how many of us actually do this?
How likely is it that my tyres need checking?
A report published by the AA - "Get a Grip" - estimated that 1 in 10 British motorists drive with at least one tyre that is illegal.
The accepted legal minimum is 1.6mm tread depth, but at this point your tyres are putting you and other road users at greater risk. It is recommended you change your tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm. One recent research test highlighted an 8 metre difference in stopping distance when travelling at 50mph, in wet conditions, compared to tyres at the 1.6mm legal limit - that's nearly as long as a double decker bus!
What checks do I need to do to ensure my tyres are safe and legal?
The most basic tyre checks you should make are tread depth and pressures.
Tread depth: Readings should be taken at 3 points across the width of each tyre, all readings must be more than the 1.6mm tread depth limit to be legal.
Pressure: Tyre pressure should be checked at the start of a journey, not at the end, as the reference measurements should be made when the tyre is cold, otherwise there is a risk of under inflation as warm tyres will give an higher reading.
You should refer to your Chevrolet Owner's Manual for the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle.
Where can I go for professional tyre advice?
We, as your Chevrolet dealer, are happy to carry out a Free Tyre Check and advise on the condition and tread depth of your tyres.
Our Technicians may diagnose problems at an early stage, such as tracking causing premature tyre wear, which could save you from having to replace your tyres before you have to.
Call our Service Team now, we will be happy to help!
