Minimum tread depth
The minimum legal tread depth for car, 4x4 and van tyres for vehicles up to 3.5t gvw, is 1.6mm over the central ¾ of the tread width. This minimum must continue around the entire circumference of the tyre. Many tyres feature tyre wear indicators within the main grooves of the tyres, indicating when your tyres are approaching the legal limit.

If you don’t have a tread depth gauge then the border of a 20p piece can be inserted into the main grooves to see if your tyres are below or above 3mm.

For increased safety, especially in the wet, Continental and many leading car manufacturers and safety organisations including Roadsafe, RoSPA and the AA recommend you change your tyres at a tread depth of 3mm. To find out why 3mm could be the difference between stopping or not, click here.

Above: External and internal tyre sidewall views of impact damage caused, for example, by being driven up a kerb.

Tyre pressure
The recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle will be found in the vehicle handbook or on the car door or fuel filler cap. Continental recommends that tyre pressures are checked every two weeks and should always be checked when your tyres are cold. Low tyre pressures reduce the tyre’s performance and can increase fuel consumption.  

Incorrectly inflated tyres can cause poor vehicle handling, reduced stability in braking, reduced grip and uneven wear.