Donut Ignore The Signs – Tyre Safety Advice from Goodyear

Goodyear Tyres innovative ‘Donut Ignore The Signs’ encourages motorists to look out for signs of tyre damage using donuts! The unlikely ally for tyre safety is used to help point out what you should be looking out for when checking your tyres for damage – which should be every four weeks at least!

Goodyear’s campaign aims to educate drivers on what they should be looking out for and the six donut images present the most common signs and symptoms of damaged tyres. Committing to regular tyre checks will help to lengthen the life of your tyres and keep you safe on the road and so it is crucial that you take the time to inspect them for any forms of damage.

How to Check Your Tyres

Checking your tyres is a simple task and can be undertaken at home. Simply remember to check tread, pressure and condition!

Tyre Tread

First, you should check that your tyre tread depth is not below the legal limit of 1.6mm. You can do this easily by placing a 20 pence coin in to the grooves of your tyres and making sure that you cannot see the outer band of the coin. If you can, your tyres may be illegal and it is time to have them replaced.

You should also check that your tyres are wearing evenly. Look to see if your tyre is more worn in a particular are such as the inner edge, outside edge or shoulder and inspect for any dips or cups across the tread. You can also rub your hand across the tread each way to make sure that it is not smooth one way and rough another. If you do find signs of uneven tyre wear, you should visit a specialist as your wheels may be misaligned.

Look out for any debris or damage lodged in the tyre tread. This can cause punctures and further damage, so it is best to have this inspected by a tyre specialist.

Tyre Pressure

Over-inflated tyres do not handle effectively and under-inflated tyres are more prone to damage and wear. Make sure your tyre pressures are correct by visiting a local garage or service station regularly and using the tyre pressure machine to monitor your tyres, topping them up if necessary. You will find the recommended tyre pressures for your car in your vehicle handbook, on the fuel cap or on the passenger’s side door.

Tyre Condition

You should also visually inspect your tyres for any signs of damage. Take care to spot any bulges in the sidewall which indicate damage to the tyre, which means that the structure of the tyre may be compromised. Bulges cannot be repaired and you will need to have your tyre replaced as soon as possible.

Look out for any cuts or tears on the tyre or chunks missing from the tyre sidewall. These can be caused by general wear and tear, such as hitting a kerb or running over a pothole, however, you must have them inspected by a specialist as soon as possible to ensure that your tyre is still safe to drive on.

For further guidance on tyre safety or if your tyres have started to resemble one of the donuts, contact your local Tyre Group centre.