GEM voices support for 3mm tyre changes

Change is inevitable, but it’s important to time it right. Michelin claims its tyres deliver safe performance down to the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm and considers changing tyres beforehand unnecessary, costly to motorists and fleets, and harmful to the environment. The tyre maker has heavily promoted this point of view in recent times, but its message isn’t finding an audience with everyone. In a statement issued today, GEM Motoring Assist recommends that motorists change their tyres earlier.

“Don’t wait until a tyre reaches the legal minimum before changing it. GEM recommends it’s time for a new tyre when the tread depth reaches 3mm,” writes the road safety and breakdown recovery organisation.

“We rely on our tyres to keep us safe on journeys,” comments GEM road safety officer Neil Worth. “After all, they provide the only contact between the car we’re driving and the road surface. In an extreme situation, correctly inflated tyres with good levels of tread will allow all the other safety systems on a car to work at their most effective. Inadequate tread or incorrect pressure mean one thing: the safety systems on your vehicle will not work as efficiently.”