How to Check Your Tyre Tread and Pressure

Tyres aren’t exactly the most thrilling part of your car. They’re not shiny like the paintwork or fancy like a touchscreen. But they’re right there - keeping you on the road, getting you to work, to Aldi, to the footy, or wherever else life’s dragging you next. So yeah, they matter. A lot more than most folks realise.

We’re Dace Motor Company. You’ve probably seen our spots around Stockport and Manchester - maybe down at Greg Street or Buxton Road. We’ve been at this for over 25 years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: neglecting your tyres is a shortcut to spending more money than you need to. Or worse, ending up stuck at the side of the M60 in the rain. No one wants that.

Why Tyre Checks Even Matter

First off, your tyres are the only bit of your car that actually touches the road. Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget. All that tech, all that power - it means nothing if your tyres are bald or flat. Worn-out tread means less grip. Less grip means longer stopping distances. In Stockport’s classic drizzle? Not a great combo. And if your tyres are under-inflated, they don’t wear evenly, your fuel economy goes down the drain, and you might even end up with a blowout. So yeah, looking after your tyres isn’t just smart. It’s essential.

Checking Your Tyre Tread (It’s Easier Than You Think)

You don’t need any fancy gear or a mechanic’s badge to check this. You just need a 20p coin. Seriously. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Grab a 20p

We know—you probably have one rolling around in the glove box or hiding under the handbrake. That’ll do. The outer rim of a 20p is about 1.6mm thick, which just so happens to be the legal minimum tread depth in the UK.

Step 2: Stick It in the Tread

Pop the coin into the tread groove of your tyre, with the outer edge going in first. If you can still see the raised border of the coin, your tyre tread is too low. That means it’s time to get that tyre swapped. No excuses.

Do this test in a few different places on the tyre, just in case it's worn unevenly. And don’t just check one tyre—go all the way around. The front tyres might wear faster than the back, especially if you do loads of city driving or roundabouts (looking at you, Stockport Town Centre).

Tyre Pressure – Don’t Leave It Till It Feels Wobbly

Here’s the thing: tyre pressure isn’t something you can always feel. Your car might feel fine, but the pressure could still be way off. And that costs you more in fuel and messes with the way your car handles. You might also wear out your tyres faster, which is just money down the drain. Luckily, checking it is a doddle.

Step 1: Find Out the Right Pressure

You’ll find this in your car’s manual, or on a sticker inside the driver’s door, or sometimes inside the fuel cap. It’ll look something like “32 PSI” or “2.2 bar”—don’t worry about the units too much. Just match the numbers when you check. Every car’s different. Even different tyres on the same car might need different pressure. And if you’re carrying a heavy load—like half the flatpack furniture from IKEA—you might need to up the pressure a bit. The sticker will usually say if that’s the case.

Step 2: Head to a Petrol Station

Most local petrol stations (like the ones on Hyde Road or near the Trafford Centre) have air machines. Usually free or, at most, 50p. Park up, unscrew your tyre valve caps, plug in the hose, and check the numbers. Adjust if needed. Easy. If you’re the type that likes to be prepared, you can get a small digital tyre gauge online or in Halfords. They’re handy, especially in winter when you don’t fancy faffing about at the garage.

How Often Should You Check?

Here’s a rough guide, but feel free to be better than average:

Check your tread once a month. Or sooner if you’ve been doing a lot of miles. Check your pressure every couple of weeks, or at least before any long drives. Simple enough.

If your tyres are looking a bit tired, get them sorted. At Dace Motor Company, we’d rather help you keep things safe and simple now than see you later with a bigger problem.

We’ve Seen It All (Seriously)

Flat tyres on the school run. Bald tyres failing MOTs. One lad turned up with mismatched tyres from two completely different cars. We’ve seen it all. And the thing is, most of these could’ve been sorted with a quick five-minute check. Our showrooms across Stockport and Manchester are packed with used cars that are HPI checked, test-driven, and, yes—fitted with tyres that meet the legal limit and then some. We’re not about cutting corners. We even throw in a 3-month warranty to give you peace of mind while you're figuring out how everything works.

A Quick Word on Tyre Age

Even if the tread looks fine and the pressure’s spot on, tyres don’t last forever. Rubber hardens over time. If your tyres are more than six years old, they might be due for a change, even if they’ve still got tread. You can check the age by looking at the sidewall of the tyre. There’s a four-digit number—something like “2619.” That means it was made in the 26th week of 2019. If it’s looking old, cracked, or dry—best to get it looked at.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Nothing good. Let’s say your tyres are under pressure. Your fuel bill goes up. Braking gets worse. Steering feels sloppy. Push it long enough and your tyres will wear down funny, making the car pull to one side or shake on the motorway. Not fun. And if you’re stopped by the police with bald tyres? That’s 3 points and a fine. Per tyre. Yeah—ouch.

We’re Always Here to Help

If you’re not sure how to do any of this, just ask. Pop into any of our showrooms—Stockport’s got three, and there’s one in Eccles too. Someone from the Dace Motor Company team will point you in the right direction. We’ve got experienced staff at each site who’ve been around tyres longer than most people have had a driving licence. And if you’re thinking about a new (used) car, all the cars we sell come with a full check, including tyre tread and pressure. We make sure every motor is ready to drive away, no nasty surprises.

Tyres might be boring, but they’re not something you can ignore. Check your tread with a 20p. Keep your pressure where it should be. And if in doubt, ask someone who knows what they’re doing. At Dace Motor Company, we’re here every day—literally. Our sites are open seven days a week, and we’re always happy to help. Whether it’s tyre advice, finance options (with no impact on your credit score, by the way), or just a proper brew while you look at cars—we’ve got you. Drive safe. Keep your tyres sorted. And if you're ever unsure, you know where to find us.