It is required by law that your vehicle is fitted with the correct size and type of tyre, and that they are fit for the purpose of which they are being used. They must also be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure (usually found in your car’s handbook).

The legal limit (as stated in the Highway Code) for the minimum depth of tread on your tyres is no less than 1.6 millimetres, across 3/4 of the tread around the complete circumference of the tyre.

The penalty for driving a vehicle with tyres that are worn, or contain cuts or bulges, are 3 penalty points on your licence and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre! So why run the risk? Contact the qualified team at Universal Tyres & Auto Centre to discuss the various brands of tyre we can supply and fit for you.

Understanding tyre markings

Understanding the markings on the sidewalls of your car tyres will help you choose the right replacements for your car.

The letters and numbers on the side of your car tyres relate to their size, dimensions, composition and capabilities.

Just some of our tyre brands we use

Here’s what each section of the code means, using the tyre size and specification 175/65 R14T as an example:

• 175 Tyre width in mm
• 65 Tyre sidewall profile – sidewall height expressed as a percentage of its width
• R Radial (rather than a cross ply)
• 14 Diameter of the wheel rim, in inches
• T Speed rating which must match or exceed the maximum speed of your car.

Car tyre speed ratings

• S 180km/h or 112mph
• T 190km/h or 118mph
• U 200km/h or 125mph
• H 210km/h or 130mph
• V 240km/h or 149mph
• W(ZR) 270km/h or 168mph
• Y(ZR) 300km/h or 186mph
• ZR Above 240km/h or 149mph

Your car’s handbook will tell you the minimum tyre speed and load ratings you should go for. Once you know the size and type of tyre you need, head over to our tyre locator or use the registration look-up to find the size for your car. Elsewhere on your tyres you will see the manufacturer’s name, the name of the tyre model and information about where and when the tyre was made.

Run-flat tyres

Run-flat tyres are increasingly popular. If you have a puncture on your journey, a run-flat tyre supports the vehicle weight so you can travel for another 50 miles or so, at a maximum speed of 50mph.

There are many markings that could indicate your tyre is a run-flat tyre, including DSST, RFT, ROF and RunFL.

Run-flat tyres and traditional car tyres should not be mixed on the same car, as it could affect the handling.

Tyresafe advises run-flat tyres should not be used on cars without a tyre pressure monitoring system, which is used to alert you of a deflation or puncture.

It also warns against using run-flat tyres when towing, as they’re only designed to support the weight of the vehicle itself.

Click Here to use a useful PSI – BAR tyre converter.

Tyre Depths