The importance of tyre safety
Checking that your vehicle always has the correct tyres, tyre pressures and tread depth, is vital to your vehicle’s safety and performance.
Should you need to replace your tyres, the best place to bring your Ford is into your Ford Dealer. Our specialists can advise you on relevant tyre safety laws, show you what to look out for when checking your tyres and provide guidance on the right type of tyre based on your driving patterns and budget.
Tyre pressure
Too little or too much air pressure can wear your tyres out faster, increase fuel consumption and wear your tyres out faster.
It’s important to check tyre pressure regularly when your tyres are cold, as warmer measurements after a long journey will not be accurate. Always screw valve caps on tight and replace lost caps immediately, otherwise the valves will begin to leak pressure.
You should always fill your spare tyre with 2 to 4 PSI (0.1 to 0.3 bar) of extra pressure. However, pressure should never exceed the maximum level for driving with a full load. Your owner’s manual can tell you how much pressure your tyres need. Or, if you’re not sure, just ask your Ford Dealer.
Tyre tread
Remember to check the tread depth of your tyres. Wear indicators in the tyre grooves will show you if the tread has reached the legal minimum of 1.6 mm. Standard summer tyres should be checked regularly when the tread depth reaches 3 mm. Winter tyres with tread depth below 4 mm could result in loss of grip when driving on snow. Worn tyres can affect handling and could mean that your braking distance will increase significantly, particularly in wet conditions. As well as being dangerous, it’s also illegal to continue to drive with a tread depth below 1.6 mm.
Tyre age
Make sure your tyres aren't too old. The general rule is that a tyre lasts around six years. After this, it should be changed – even if it looks like new and has hardly been used. You can use the DOT code on the sidewall of the tyre to identify when the tyre was manufactured. For example, 1421 means that the tyre was manufactured in week 14 of 2021. This applies to your spare tyre as well.
Air Pressure, Condition and Tread Depth (ACT)
Air Pressure - See how to video on checking your air pressure.
Tyre Condition -
- Give each tyre a visual inspection, look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts and remove any stones from the tread.
- If something doesn’t look right, have it inspected immediately by your Ford Dealer.
Tread Depth - See how to video on checking your tread depth.
- Without adequate tread depth your tyres may not perform properly in wet conditions, affecting your braking significantly.
- Drivers with tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm, could be penalised with 3 penalty points and a £2,500 fine.
Tyre safety check
Tyres are a key safety feature for your vehicle. Worn tyres could mean that your braking distance will increase significantly, particularly in wet conditions. Regularly checking that your tyres have the correct air pressure, are in good condition and have adequate tread depth will ensure that your vehicle performs properly in all conditions. That’s why many of our Ford Dealers are offering a free tyre safety check, which includes a tread depth check.