Your cars tyres are the only part of the vehicle in direct contact with the road, which makes their condition absolutely critical to your safety. Whether you're commuting daily, heading out on a long trip, or simply running errands, properly maintained tyres ensure better handling, shorter braking distances, and improved fuel efficiency. Neglecting tyre maintenance not only increases wear and tear but also raises the risk of breakdowns and accidents. Two of the easiest but most important checks every driver should regularly perform are monitoring tyre pressure and assessing tread depth. The good news? Both can be done quickly at home or at your local petrol station.
Checking Your Tyre Pressure
Why it matters: Under- or over-inflated tyres can lead to poor grip, reduced fuel economy, and uneven tyre wear. It can also increase your risk of tyre blowouts.
How to check and inflate:
1) Find the recommended pressure: This is usually listed in your car’s manual, or on a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel flap. The pressure is measured in PSI or BAR.
2) Use a pressure gauge: You can find these at most petrol stations or buy a digital one to keep at home. Unscrew the valve cap on your tyre, attach the gauge, and read the pressure.
3) Top up if needed: If your tyre pressure is low, use an air compressor (available at garages and many petrol stations). Set the desired PSI and pump it up or if you cannot set then pump and then stop once the pressure is correct. Don’t forget to replace the valve caps when done.
4) Check regularly: Ideally, check tyre pressures once a month and before long journeys. Don’t forget the spare tyre if you have one!
Checking Your Tread Depth
Why it matters: Tread depth affects how well your tyres grip the road, especially in wet conditions. Worn treads increase braking distances and risk aquaplaning.
Legal minimum in the UK: 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre.
How to check it:
1) Use a tread depth gauge: Insert it into the tread grooves at various points to check the measurement.
2) Try the 20p test: Place a 20p coin into the tread. If you can see the outer band of the coin, the tread is too shallow and the tyre likely needs replacing.
3) Check for uneven wear: Look for balding on one edge or across the tyre. This could mean issues with alignment or suspension and should be inspected by a mechanic.
If your tyres are worn or due for replacement, there’s never been a better time to take action. Through the Q-Park app, you can now enjoy an exclusive 5% discount with ClickMechanic - making it easier and more affordable to stay safe on the road. Whether you need a full tyre replacement, a puncture repair, or expert advice, ClickMechanic offers trusted mobile mechanics who come to you. Simply register on the Q-Park app, and you will automatically be sent an email with the details of the Perks scheme. From here you can book your tyre service with confidence, convenience and savings, all in one.
About Q-Park
Q-Park is a leading off-street parking infrastructure owner and operator with well-managed commercial parking facilities across seven western European countries. We operate off-street parking spaces we own, have under concession or with long-term lease contracts from public and private landlords. We focus on off-street purpose-built parking facilities at strategic locations. We operate more than 5,300 parking facilities comprising over 1 million parking spaces in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark. Based on publicly available industry data for our competitors, we estimate that we are a top three player, based on the estimated off-street revenues, in all the countries in which we operate. Q-Park also has numerous mobility hubs which provide access to a variety of mobility solutions. We house and support a range of activities from last mile logistics, electric vehicle charging, micromobility and car sharing services which help support urban accessibility, sustainability and liveability.
