Tyre Safety Month: Essential Tyre Checks to Keep You Safe

October is Tyre Safety Month, and with wetter roads, darker evenings, and colder weather on the way, now is a good time to make sure your tyres are ready for the months ahead. 

This year, TyreSafe is encouraging drivers across the UK to Act Before You REact – taking a few minutes to check your tyres before a sudden stop, heavy rain, or an unexpected hazard puts them to the test. 

At SERE Motors, we've put together the essential tyre checks every driver should know, including how to check your air pressure, tyre condition, and tread depth at home.

Why Tyre Safety Matters

Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road, so their condition can have a major impact on how your car performs when you accelerate, steer, or brake. Well-maintained tyres help with:

• Grip and handling: particularly on wet or slippery roads.
• Braking: adequate tread helps your tyres maintain contact with the road when you need to slow down or stop.
• Fuel efficiency: correctly inflated tyres help your vehicle run efficiently and prevent unnecessary rolling resistance.
• Tyre life: incorrect pressures and uneven wear can shorten the lifespan of your tyres.
• Road safety: damaged, incorrectly inflated, or excessively worn tyres can make your vehicle unsafe to drive.

And as we head into autumn and winter in Northern Ireland, regular tyre checks become even more important as drivers face more rain, standing water, and changing road conditions. 

Tyre Safety Month 2026: Act Before You REact

This year's Tyre Safety Month campaign focuses on something many of us can probably relate to: that sudden 'heart-in-mouth' moment behind the wheel.

It could be a vehicle pulling out unexpectedly, having to brake suddenly, or hitting standing water. While you can't control everything that happens on the road, you can make sure your tyres are prepared when you need them most.

What Does the Research Tell Us?

A Air Pressure

Is your tyre pressure correct?

Correct tyre pressure is important for your vehicle's handling, braking performance, fuel efficiency, and tyre life. 

Your recommended pressures will vary depending on your vehicle and, in some cases, the load you're carrying, so don't simply guess.

You can usually find the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressures:

• Inside the driver's door or door frame
• Inside the fuel filler flap
• In your vehicle handbook

Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge and check your tyres when they're cold. Remember to check all four tyres and your spare tyre if your vehicle has one.

Both underinflation and overinflation can affect how your tyres perform and cause unnecessary or uneven wear, so always use the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

C Condition

Spot the warning signs.

A quick visual inspection can help you spot tyre problems before they become more serious.

Take a look around each tyre and check for:

• Cuts or splits
• Cracks
• Bulges in the sidewall
• Objects embedded in the tyre
• Uneven or excessive wear
• Any other visible signs of damage

Pay particular attention after hitting a pothole or kerb.

Uneven tyre wear can also be a sign of another problem, such as incorrect wheel alignment or an issue with your vehicle's suspension.

If you notice a bulge, significant damage, or anything you're unsure about, don't ignore it – have the tyre professionally inspected. 

T Tread

Are your tyres illegal?

Tyre tread helps maintain grip and disperse water from underneath your tyres, making it particularly important when driving on wet roads. 

You can check this using a tyre tread depth gauge, but there's also a quick check you can do using a 20p coin.

Try the 20p Tyre Test

Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre.

The outer band of a 20p coin is approximately the same depth as the legal tread requirement. If you can see the outer band when the coin is inserted into the tread, your tyre may be approaching or below the legal limit and should be properly checked. 

Remember to check several points around each tyre, as tread may not wear evenly. 

Watch: 3 Quick Tyre Checks to Keep You Safe

How Often Should You Check Your Tyres?

TyreSafe recommends carrying out Air Pressure, Condition, and Tread (ACT) checks at least once a month, and before long journeys. It's a quick habit that can help you spot problems earlier, potentially extend the life of your tyres and, most importantly, make sure your vehicle is ready when you need it to perform.

Don't Wait for a Near Miss

You can't predict every situation you'll encounter on the road, but you can make sure your vehicle is prepared for them. This Tyre Safety Month, take a few minutes to Act Before You REact.

A AIR PRESSURE: Check your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

C CONDITION: Look for cuts, cracks, bulges, embedded objects, and uneven wear.

T TREAD: Make sure there's sufficient tread across all four tyres and that you're safely above the legal limit. 

Three simple checks. A few minutes of your time. And one less thing to worry about when the unexpected happens. 

Get Your Tyres Checked at SERE Motors

Not sure about the condition of your tyres? Our experienced Aftersales teams at SERE Motors Lisburn and Belfast are here to help. 

We can check your tyre pressures, tread depth, and overall tyre condition, and advise you if anything needs attention.

With autumn and winter bringing wetter roads and more challenging driving conditions across Northern Ireland, now is the perfect time to make sure your car is ready for the season ahead. Don't wait for a near miss – act before you REact.