What does a Tyre Safety Inspection Involve?
A critical part of safe driving is having the right type of tyres and making sure they are in good condition. Tyres contribute significantly to how safely you can manoeuvre your vehicle in different road conditions. They determine how quickly you can stop, how much traction you have on wet roads, and how well you can make sharp/sudden turns when you need to avoid a collision.
Therefore, your tyres need to be regularly inspected to ensure they have the right pressure, treading, and alignment. The core components of a tyre safety inspection include:
Checking air pressure
Having the right tyre pressure is an important part of tyre safety. During an inspection, mechanics will check the level of air within each tyre to ensure it is at the minimum level. Pressure checks should be carried out before any long trips, or at least once a month. The amount of air needed will depend on the manufacturer specifications for the tyre in use.
Motorists planning to carry a heavy load or to tow another vehicle should add more pressure to the tyres to account for the added weight. Mechanics will also ensure that the pressure in all 4 tyres is even to keep the car properly balanced while on the road.
Physical inspection for damage
During a tyre test, the inside and outside surface of the tyres will also be inspected for damage. A typical damaged tyre will have issues with the treading (such as materials lodged in-between) or bulges and lumps on the outer tyre surface.
If you notice that your tyres have any issue such as losing pressure too fast, you should also notify your mechanic prior to the inspection.
Checking the treading
The treading of your tyres is equally as important as maintaining the right tyre pressure. The required treading may vary with the manufacturer, but a minimum depth of 1.6metres is recommended.
Mechanics will also ensure that the tread type matches the road conditions that your vehicle is subjected to, and they will recommend any necessary changes to your tyres if necessary.
Ensuring a proper fit with the vehicle
Depending on the make, model and size of your vehicle, you will need to have proper sized tyres that fit well and are adequately aligned. There are cases where motorists use tyres that are too small or too large for safe operation. This may interfere with braking ability, steering, and the camber/canter of your wheels. During a tyre safety inspection, mechanics will ensure that all 4 tyres plus the spare are of the right size.