Scott Benbow, product manager at Continental Tyres, answers some frequently-asked questions

Why is it important to check my tyres?

Because they are the only contact you have with the road surface and their condition affects the safety, cost and comfort of operating your vehicle.

Tyres that are under-inflated, damaged, or excessively worn present a danger to drivers, passengers and other road users alike.

Also, drivers can face fines of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points should the tyres on his vehicle be found to be in an unroadworthy condition.

Van owners should also be aware of the financial implications of not paying attention to tyre maintenance.

Incorrectly inflated tyres can reduce the service life and increase the rolling resistance of the tyres, increasing tyre wear and fuel costs.

How often should I check my tyres?

Visually check your tyres before each journey as you approach the vehicle.

This is particularly important where multiple drivers might use a vehicle and/or drivers are covering long distances.

Closer inspections, including checking of the inflation pressure with an accurate pressure gauge, should be carried out every two weeks.

How do I know what the correct tyre pressures are?

The correct tyre pressures for your vehicle will be found in the vehicle handbook and in some cases inside the vehicle – such as on the pillar of the driver’s door.

How often should I check my tread depth?

Drivers should check their tread depth as part of their regular tyre maintenance schedule.

What is the legal minimum tread depth?

The law in the UK requires the tyre tread depth to be a minimum of 1.6mm measured in the central 75% of the tread width and to be continuous around the whole circumference of the tyre.

How does tread depth affect safety?

Research has shown that a tyre’s performance in wet weather is severely compromised below 3mm of tread depth.

What are the dangers of overloading my van?

Overloading a van without adjusting tyre pressure has exactly the same effect on the tyre as under-inflation and leads to increased fuel consumption, poor handling and increased risk of tyre failure.