How to check your car’s tyres: pressures and tread depth explained

Because those four black rubbery things are doing more work than you think.

Picture this. You’ve cleaned the car, filled it with fuel, queued up the perfect playlist… and then completely ignored the only parts of the car that actually touch the road. Tyres. The unsung heroes. The shoes of your car. And, just like shoes, if they’re worn out or don’t fit properly, things get uncomfortable very quickly.

Checking your tyres isn’t glamorous. There’s no app for it. No satisfying “ding” when you’re done. But it keeps you safe, legal, and saves you money—which, honestly, is a pretty solid trade-off for five minutes of effort.

Let’s break it down, without the lecture.

Why tyre checks actually matter (more than you think)

Tyres are the only part of your car touching the road. Not the engine. Not the brakes. Not that fancy touchscreen. Just four patches of rubber about the size of a postcard.

When tyres aren’t looked after, bad things creep in quietly:

• Less grip (hello skids)

• Longer stopping distances

• Sloppy handling

• Higher fuel bills

• Faster wear

• And, in extreme cases, blowouts at speed (which nobody enjoys)

Research has even shown that under-inflated tyres can cost hundreds of pounds a year in extra fuel. That’s money you could spend on… well, literally anything better than petrol.

So yes. Tyres matter.

How often should you check your tyres?

Short answer? More often than you probably do.

• Tyre pressures: once a week (or before long trips)

• Tread depth & condition: once a month

• Visual check: whenever you walk past the car (takes two seconds)

If that sounds like overkill, remember: it’s quicker than scrolling social media while the kettle boils.

Checking tyre pressures (the easy win)

Tyre pressure is just the amount of air inside each tyre—but get it wrong and everything suffers.

• Too low: more fuel used, more wear, vague steering

• Too high: less grip, harsher ride, more risk from potholes

When should you check?

Always check pressures when the tyres are cold. That means before driving, not after a motorway run when the tyres are warmer and lying to you.

What you’ll need

• A tyre pressure gauge (cheap, small, lives in the glovebox)

• Or a digital tyre inflator

• Or the air machine at a petrol station

Step-by-step (no drama)

1. Remove the dust cap

2. Press the gauge firmly onto the valve

3. Read the number

4. Compare it to your car’s recommended pressure

You’ll find the correct pressure:

• In the owner’s handbook

• On a sticker inside the driver’s door

• Or behind the fuel filler flap

Important: Front and rear tyres often have different pressures. And yes, they can change if you’re carrying passengers or luggage. Your car isn’t being difficult—it’s being precise.

If the number doesn’t match? Inflate or release air until it does. Replace the dust cap. Move on. Congratulations, you’ve just improved safety and fuel economy.

Inflating your tyres (without overthinking it)

Inflating tyres sounds more technical than it is.

• Attach the inflator to the valve

• Set the desired pressure

• Press start

• Wait for the beep

• Remove nozzle

• Replace dust cap

That’s it. Most modern inflators stop automatically when the correct pressure is reached—no guesswork required.

Owning your own inflator is a small investment that pays for itself the first time you don’t have to hunt for a working petrol station machine at 10pm.

Checking tyre tread depth (this one’s about grip)

Tyre tread isn’t just there for looks. Those grooves clear water away so the tyre can grip the road. Without enough tread, water sits between the tyre and the tarmac—and suddenly you’re aquaplaning like you’re auditioning for a boating show.

The legal bit

• Minimum legal tread depth: 1.6mm

• Recommended by experts: 3mm or more

Yes, you can legally drive at 1.6mm. No, it’s not ideal—especially in the wet.

How to check it

• Use a tread depth gauge (simple and cheap)

• Or the classic 20p coin test

Pop the coin into the tread:

• If you can see the outer rim of the coin → it’s time for new tyres

• If the rim disappears → you’re still good

Check across the width of the tyre and all four tyres, not just the front ones.

While you’re down there… check for damage

This is where you give the tyres a quick once-over like a suspicious MOT tester.

Look for:

• Cuts or cracks

• Bulges or lumps on the sidewall

• Nails or screws in the tread

• Uneven wear (could mean alignment issues)

If something looks odd, don’t panic—but do get it checked. Tyres rarely fail without giving a warning first.

The fuel economy bonus (your wallet will notice)

Correct tyre pressures reduce rolling resistance, which means:

• Better MPG

• Less frequent refuelling

• Lower long-term running costs

It’s one of the few car checks that pays you back every single drive.

A quick tyre checklist (save this)

Before a long journey, ask yourself:

• Pressures correct?

• Tread above 3mm?

• No visible damage?

• Spare tyre or repair kit present?

Five minutes. That’s all it takes.

Final thought: boring? Yes. Important? Absolutely.

Checking your tyres will never feel exciting. You won’t tell your friends about it. You won’t post it online. But it keeps you safer, saves you money, and helps your car drive the way it should.

And really—that’s the whole point of owning a car in the first place.

So next time you walk past your car, give those tyres a glance. They’re doing a lot for you. The least you can do is check they’re up to it.