Essential tyre checks
Keeping your cars tyres in good condition is essential if you want to ensure that it's handling and braking ability is to stay in tip-top condition. Turning a 'blind eye' to issues such as tread depth not only reduces your cars ability to handle safely in various weather conditions, but you could end up with a fine of up to £2500 and 3 penalty points PER TYRE if you are caught in a random police check.
Checking tyre wear
Your tyres tread depth will gradually decrease from the moment you start driving on them. How quickly this happens will depend on your yearly mileage, your driving style and other factors such as tyre pressure or poorly adjusted tracking or suspension.In the UK it is illegal to drive on tyres that have a tread depth of less than 1.6mm across 75 percent of the tread width and around the entire circumference of the tyre. In addition to this you must NOT have radial tyres on the front wheels and cross ply tyres on the rear wheels, it is also illegal to have a cross ply tyre on one side with a radial on the other.
Worn tyres will affect the handling of your car in both dry and wet weather conditions.
Tyres are designed displace water away from the road surface beneath them in order to maintain contact with the road. This helps the tyre grip despite the surface water and means you are less likely to skid in wet conditions. If your tyres are worn it's ability to displace the water will be impaired, and so your chances of skidding or aquaplaning across large patches of water will be increased in large patches of water.
In dry conditions, the tyre tread needs to have a certain depth in order to grip the road effectively. The height of the tread allows the rubber sections to move fractionally whenever it is pushed in any particular direction. This movement absorbs the vehicles tendency to want to move sideways on a bend for example, thus providing 'grip'.
If you notice uneven wear on your tyres, you should get your car checked out at a garage as the suspension or tracking may need adjusting.
Use the correct tyre pressure
Always check your tyre pressures at least once a month to ensure they are correct. Tyre pressures are often written on the inside of the fuel filler hatch for easy reference.Under inflated tyres will reduce your grip in all weather conditions, damage the tyres, and reduce your fuel efficiency! They will also cause your tyres to wear unevenly and reduce their legal life span.
Under normal conditions, a tyre will always lose small amounts of air even when they are in good condition. However if you notice that air is being lost at a much higher rate, this could be an indication of a small puncture or perhaps a faulty valve, and should be investigated by a garage or tyre centre with a simple pressure check.
Note that the recommended tyre pressure is NOT written on the wall of the tyre - this is actually the MAXIMUM tyre pressure!
If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, we can help you get a replacement vehicle, car repairs, legal assistance and injury compensation.
Give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
