Tyre tread depth

• Tread wear indicators are spaced evenly through the main grooves in the tyre tread. If they are flush with the level of the tread, then the tyre must be replaced.
• If you have a tyre tread depth gauge, insert the probe bar into the groove and push the shoulders flush with the tread. Check the top of the gauge to see the measurement.
• Place a 20 pence coin or a 1€ coin in the groove of the tyre. If the border shows above the tread, then the tread is likely to be less than 1.6mm deep. Should this be the case it is time to replace the tyre.

Hardly anything must be as resistant as car tyres

Your tyres form the essential bond between your vehicle and the ground. The tread grips the road as you drive. But if it's not deep enough, your car loses traction and suffers extended braking times. Shallow tread grooves make it harder to control the vehicle in wet weather and the chance of aquaplaning increases, thus increases the risk of a serious accident. To ensure your safety, measure the tread depth and the tyre pressure as part of your regular vehicle maintenance.

Tread is the rubber on the tyre in contact with the road. As you drive, the tread will wear down. A tyre with a tread depth below 1.6mm lacks grip. Braking distance and vehicle control are impaired. These tyres are not safe for driving and must be replaced. UK laws request a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm for car tyres, while motorcycle require at least 1mm across ¾ of the whole tread. 

Ensure your vehicle is equipped with the correct winter, summer or all season tyres. All season tyres are specially adapted to the corresponding weather and road conditions of the season. A minimum of 1.6 millimetres is also required for the tread depth of winter and summer tyres. However, there is no legal requirement in the UK to change tyres during winter whereas in Germany, the law requires a situational obligation to equip the car with winter tyres when conditions are icy. As a rule of thumb, winter tyres are applied between October and Easter.

Please consider that safe driving in wet and snowy weather conditions is affected by the tread depth, the pattern design and the rubber compound of the tread of your tyres. On wet or snow-covered roads braking performance will progressively decline with lower tread depths. On wet roads there is an additional increased risk of aquaplaning with reduced tread depths. New tyres have far fewer problems with aquaplaning and provide better grip at higher speed.

Therefore, check your tyres regularly, reduce your speed on wet and snowy roads and consider replacing your tyres in good time.

Inform yourself before travelling abroad by car about the varying regional legal requirements of tread depth to avoid fines. 

How to check the tyre tread? 

If you have a tyre tread depth gauge, use it to measure the tread depth. Insert the probe bar into the wide groove in the centre of the tread and push the shoulders flush with the tread. Check the top of the gauge to see the measurement. Alternately, a small ruler can be used instead of a tread depth gauge.

Instead of a tyre tread depth gauge, you can estimate the depth with a 20 pence piece a 1€ coin. Place the coin in the groove of the tyre. If the border shows above the tread, then the tread is likely to be less than 1.6mm deep. Should this be the case it is time to replace the tyre.

Be sure to check the tread depth in various locations. A misaligned wheel may result in uneven tread wear. Keep an eye open for any areas that look more worn than the surrounding surface. The tyre's tread should be judged by the lowest depth you measured.

If you are uncertain how to measure the tread depth of your car, take your vehicle to a service centre of your choice.