Had car for less than 4 months and the tracking is out

custardy

Joe_Horner wrote: »

But you still need to understand what you're looking at. For example, this tyre obviously indicates a problem but is still legal from what can be seen in the pic:



Whereas this one isn't:



Do you understand what the difference is?

I Do. However to anyone with no knowledge, Both require attention

kaggi

custardy wrote: »

Big round thing in front of you in the drivers seat.
Try turning it the next time you check your tyre pressures.

Joe_Horner wrote: »

But you still need to understand what you're looking at. For example, this tyre obviously indicates a problem but is still legal from what can be seen in the pic:



Whereas this one isn't:



Do you understand what the difference is?

Thanks, I’m not really concerned just about whether they’re legal, more as to whether they’re safe as I’m quite worried about driving tomorrow to the garage. Hopefully the comment about the AA man overstating it is true.
Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

AdrianC

So long as they're still in the rubber, I'd drive to the tyre place.
If they're through to the cords, then I might be a bit more circumspect, and be phoning mobile tyre fitters...

AndyMc.....

kaggi wrote: »

Thanks, I’m not really concerned just about whether they’re legal, more as to whether they’re safe as I’m quite worried about driving tomorrow to the garage. Hopefully the comment about the AA man overstating it is true.
Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

You will be if they're not and the police stop you.

Joe_Horner

kaggi wrote: »

Thanks, I’m not really concerned just about whether they’re legal, more as to whether they’re safe as I’m quite worried about driving tomorrow to the garage. Hopefully the comment about the AA man overstating it is true.
Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

You can assume that, if they're legal, they're safe.

To be legal you need at least 1.6mm tread depth in a band around the central 3/4 of width of the tyre.

BUT the only parts of the tread that are counted are parts which were "full depth" when new. Shallower parts just don't count. Full depth grooves have tread-wear indicator blocks in them - any other parts of the pattern can be bald, as long as they're not through to the cords.

On typical modern tyres, like the first one above, the only full depth parts are the main grooves running round the circumference. A long as those parts are still above the tread-wear indicators it's legal (and safe) even if the shoulders are bald.

On the second pic I posted, the lateral grooves also have tread-wear indicators and, because the shoulder wear has taken them down below the markers, the tyre's not legal even though the circumferential groove are still deep enough.


eta: In the one Adrian posted, even though the tread is legal, the wear has exposed the cords so the tyre's dead

James2k

kaggi wrote: »

There is no need for a sarcastic response. I’ve been driving 25 years and never had an issue like this. The tyre pressure was checked a weeks or so ago and was absolutely fine and the wear on the part of the tyre I can see had plenty of tread. Really if you can’t give a pleasant or at least civil and helpful response maybe you shouldn’t bother.

Welcome to MSE, home of the holier than thous.

and some good guys

Herzlos

AndyMc..... wrote: »

You will be if they're not and the police stop you.

I think he means the other way round - even if they are still "legal" he wants to get them sorted.

kaggi

AndyMc..... wrote: »

You will be if they're not and the police stop you.

I meant I’d rather get them fixed well before they were illegal, it’s safety I’m worried about. I’ve previously been told by tyre fitters I could’ve got a few thousand more miles but I always err on the side of caution.

kaggi

Herzlos wrote: »

I think he means the other way round - even if they are still "legal" he wants to get them sorted.

That’s exactly what I meant. Thank goodness there’s some on here who aren’t overly judgmental and quick to think the worst.

pinkshoes

Isn't it about £45 to get tracking done?

I hit a big pot hole the other day and now need to go get mine shortly!!