The letter “H” covers the problem that caused more tires to break down ITV than for any other reason. This letter indicates the maximum speed at which tires can be used and is set at the time of manufacture of all cars and bicycles. For safety reasons, tires with a lower rating are prohibited. Why should we be concerned about that? Well, for reasons I don`t even want to know, the speed rating in the UK doesn`t seem to be a big issue, but here in Spain it is strictly adhered to, so over the years a number of customers have had to change perfectly usable tyres because Slow-Fit or Herfords have fitted acceptable tyres in the UK. But not here. Speeds start with the letter “L” (120 km/h) to “Y” (300 km/h). In our example, “H” means that the tire is safe for speeds up to 210 km/h. If we don`t have a tire depth gauge in our back pocket, how do we know if our tires are OK? Well, some smart people have made it easy for us. At the bottom of the grooves of the tire is a rubber rod that does not run the entire width of the groove. The height of this pole is, surprise, surprise, 1.6 mm. This is called a wear bar and if it matches the rest of the tire surface, it`s high time to replace the tires. Since the end of 2010, new German regulations have come into force, stipulating that all cars and motorcycles, including foreign vehicles, must be equipped with winter tires or all-season tires on all axles in winter conditions.

So you look at your car tires, which, as manufacturers tell you, keep you on the road and you`re faced with a bunch of numbers and letters. What does this mean? Here is an example 195/65 R15 91H. Well, before I get tired of this topic. In Spain, the tyre profile must be identical on the same axle. So you can have matching pairs because the four don`t need to be the same What are the main grooves and profile depth indicators, and how can I find them? This happens, for example, with tires. Many people don`t think about checking them regularly. Not even just before your car is inspected (ITV in Spain) and this can give you an unpleasant surprise. Driving with tires that are not in optimal condition can have serious consequences on a wet road if it rains or if the road is slippery because of sleet or snow. And in the coming days, both conditions will be on the roads in many parts of Spain. Buying tyres in Spain – the online shopping revolution has had a positive impact on consumers, as websites such as muchonuematico and nuematicos.es offer excellent value for money, as well as the ability to have tyres delivered to a local workshop and offer discounts on fitting. If your tyres are worn and in poor condition, DGT may fine you €200 per tyre.

In addition, you should also replace your tires as soon as possible. If you have problems with the unaligned axles, you will have to pay an extra €150 for each wheel. You can easily check if your tires still have enough tread. There are special tread gauges, but you can also check them with a euro coin. For a summer tyre, you use a €1 coin and for a winter tyre a €2 coin. Insert the €1 coin into the flattest groove on your car tire. If you keep seeing the golden rim, the tread is insufficient and it`s time to replace your tires. You can do the same for a winter tire with a €2 coin.

If you continue to see the silver border, the profile is insufficient. Therefore, it is best to check the profile of your tires once a month. To find out what you should be, check the manual or ask a reputable tire fitting company. NOT in the local pub Interference: There should be no loose cables or rubber wires that could interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is recommended to replace your tires before the legal limit is reached. Many car manufacturers recommend a 3-millimeter exchange. At 1.6 millimeters in wet weather, it takes two extra car lengths (8 meters) to stop at 50 mph as if your profile were 3 millimeters. Spanish law requires that your vehicle be equipped with the appropriate type and size of tires for the type of vehicle you are driving and for the intended use. This means fitting the right tires and, for safety reasons, making sure they are inflated to the manufacturer`s recommended pressure.

There are a number of bizarre laws regarding driving here in Spain, and some of them specifically relate to tyres mounted on a road vehicle and the condition they are in. Tyres in Spain are not as cheap to buy as they are in the UK and so it is important that you understand the legality behind the tyres and avoid the likelihood that you will end up buying a set that doesn`t exactly meet your requirements. Tread: Car owners can perform their own amateur tread depth test by inserting a one-euro coin into the design. If the golden edge of the part is not visible, the tread is quite deep! What does 91 mean in our example? Well, actually, old man, as I just said, this means that the tire can carry a load of 615 kg safely, 62 carrying 265 kg and the maximum of 126 1700 kg. Don`t worry, unless you`re a retail geek, in which case go to “Faster Fitters for Fun S.L” Don`t buy cheap dust caps – while they may look great, the heat can cause cheap metal to adhere to tire valves, which isn`t ideal if you need to inflate them! Since February 1, 2018, the quality specifications of the tires included in ITV vehicle tests have changed, meaning that the tires of the cars and other vehicles to be inspected have changed slightly.