As a Nissan owner, keeping your vehicle in full working condition will be vital for both your safety as we well as the car’s performance. While there are many aspects to Nissan maintenance, one of the most important is regularly checking the tyre tread. This provides grip and stability on the road, especially during adverse conditions. In this article, our experts from Dorchester Nissan will be discussing the importance of inspecting your tyres as well as providing step-by-step tips on how to check tyre tread depth yourself.
What Is Tyre Tread And Why Is It Important?
The tyre tread is the pattern of grooves on the surface of your tyres. While the exact design and layout tends to vary between different tyre types, the tread is generally intended to disperse water, snow, and debris while providing traction on the road. Over time, as you drive your car, the tyre tread will gradually wear down. In turn, this will affect the tyres’ ability to grip the road effectively. Worn-out tyre tread significantly increases the risk of accidents, especially on wet or slippery surfaces, as the tyre will no longer be able to maintain proper traction.
As well as playing a big part in vehicle safety, maintaining your tyres also ensures optimal fuel efficiency. Tyres with inadequate tread tend to have increased rolling resistance, which leads to decreased fuel economy and higher fuel consumption. Nissan servicing can therefore save you money on fuel as well as help to avoid potential safety hazards.
What Is The Legal Tyre Tread Depth In The UK?
In the UK and Europe, the legal tyre tread depth on a car is at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. That said, anything below 3mm could lead to an advisory on your MOT. When the tyre tread depth approaches 3mm, this is a sensible time to consider replacing your tyres. Allowing the tread to wear down any further may lead to a noticeable drop in grip and performance.
How To Check Tyre Tread
Knowing how to check the tyre tread on your car is a great bit of information to have under your belt and will be handy for all future Nissan maintenance, whether it’s for a Nissan Qashqai, Ariya, or any other vehicle. It’s also a straightforward process that can be done at home with minimal tools, leaving you more time to enjoy those leisurely drives. Here are a few simple ways to go about this:
- Look for tread wear indicators – Modern tyres have built-in tread wear indicators, usually in the form of small, raised bars located within the grooves of the tyre tread. When the tyre tread wears down to the level of these indicators, it’s time to replace the tyres.
- Use the penny test – If your tyres don’t have visible tread wear indicators, you can use the penny test instead. Insert a penny into the tyre’s grooves before marking a line on the coin with a Sharpie, indicating how deep the penny has gone. Next, remove the penny and measure the submerged section.
- Use a tread depth gauge – For the most accurate measurement, use a tread depth gauge. As a specifically designed tool for this process, this will provide an exact result in seconds.
Nissan Servicing And Maintenance At Dorchester Nissan
Here at Dorchester Nissan, we offer comprehensive maintenance services for the whole range of Nissan cars, from the all-electric Nissan LEAF through to the hybrid Nissan Juke and everything in between. As well as checking tyre treads and replacing tyres, our team of skilled mechanics and technicians are well-versed in every aspect of Nissan maintenance. From routine oil changes to brake inspections and replacements, we offer a wide range of services to keep your Nissan running at its peak performance.
Are you looking to book your Nissan in for a service or want further tips on maintaining your car? Get in touch to speak with our team directly or visit our dealership! You can also view our full range of Nissan cars online.