Before the cold weather sets in, it is worth checking whether your tyres are up to the challenge of a Scottish winter. Here is what to look for.
As autumn arrives and temperatures start to drop across Scotland, a few minutes spent checking your tyres could prevent a dangerous situation or a costly emergency call-out during the colder months ahead. A basic visual inspection and tread depth check are all it takes to identify whether action is needed.
Start with tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6mm, but safety organisations recommend replacing tyres before they reach 3mm, particularly as wetter, colder conditions approach. Use a tread depth gauge or the 20p coin test to check each tyre at multiple points across the tread width.
Inspect the sidewall of each tyre for signs of surface cracking, bulging, or visible damage. Cold temperatures accelerate rubber degradation, and a tyre showing significant surface cracking may be at increased risk of failure in challenging winter conditions. Any visibly damaged tyre should be assessed by a professional.
If your vehicle is fitted with standard summer compound tyres and you regularly travel through rural Stirlingshire, Perthshire, or the Highlands during winter, fitting all-season or dedicated winter tyres before the cold season begins is a worthwhile investment in safety. Glasgow Mobile Tyre Guys can supply and fit winter-ready tyres at your home or workplace.
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