The winter can be a daunting and dangerous season, especially when on the road. As the nights get darker and conditions change - it’s highly important that you understand the essentials for your tyres in the winter as well as adhere to regular tyre maintenance. We have created this article to help you navigate through potential issues with your tyres in the Winter and make sure that you are fully safe when on the road in the next few months and in future winters.
At Freeway Fastfit, we offer a completely free winter car check. We can carry out essential checks on your car and then recommend anything that you may need. Whether you require a service, changing of tyres or any other service that we offer we will help.
We are the leading independent provider of Tyres in Tunbridge Wells. Pop in and visit us in store or book an appointment with our team today!
Are Winter Tyres Necessary?
You may have heard about winter tyres. These tyres are specifically designed to help you in winter conditions providing increased traction and grip while on the road. They are an option and some motorists decide to install winter tyres. In some countries and regions where winter conditions get challenging and dangerous - these tyres are a necessity.
In the UK, you’d be less likely to need them but we would highly recommend considering them if you are going on a trip to areas that can experience heavy snowfall. The choice is yours with winter tyres and we can advise and support you in finding out more information and the installation of winter tyres for your vehicle.
Keeping on Top of Your Tyres in the Winter
It’s always very important to keep on top of tyre maintenance but it’s more important in the winter because of potential issues that could occur. We offer free winter checks to keep you safe if you are unsure but here are some tips when keeping an eye on your tyres in the winter:
- Always check your car when it’s light and you can inspect everything properly. It gets darker in the winter earlier so make sure you are checking your car with enough light to see your tyres.
- Check for tread depth as usual and ensure that your tread depth is not under 1.6mm. You can place a 20p coin into the tread of the tyre and if the outer band of the coin is visible then your car is of legal tread depth.
- Check the pressure of your tyres is correct. If you have decided to change to winter tyres - they will likely need different pressures than summer tyres to stay safe and efficient on the road.
- Inspect the sidewall of your tyres regularly for damage. Bulges, embedded objects and punctures or cuts could put you at serious risk when on the road so make sure you are checking for these issues.
Winter Safety
It’s really important to stay safe when driving in the winter. Dangerous conditions, darker days and nights and the weather are all serious risks when driving. Make sure that you are prepared when taking long trips and that you have everything that you need to be as safe as possible. Tyre checks are vital in keeping you safe on the road and it’s very important to stay safe when driving in this time of the year. If you have any concerns, arrange for a free winter car check at our garage.
At Freeway Fastfit, we offer a completely free winter car check. We can carry out essential checks on your car and then recommend anything that you may need. Whether you require a service, changing of tyres or any other service that we offer we will help.
Written on 3rd January 2024