Motorists urged to check tyre pressure before holidays

British motorists are being advised to check their tyre pressures and general tyre conditions before prior to the summer holidays.

Before setting off on a long journey, TyreSafe is advising motorists to check tyre pressure and tread depth, as well as the general condition of all tyres, including the spare tyre.

TyreSafe has compiled an easy-to-follow three-step process for checking tyre safety, ACT. The three fundamental principles of ACT are:

Tyre air pressure

Check the manufacturer’s manual to confirm the correct tyre pressure for the vehicle. Families travelling with a full car and heavy luggage are urged to check the recommended tyre pressure for the vehicle when fully laden.

Under-inflated tyres can overheat, while over-inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling. With soaring fuel prices and the cost of car maintenance in the spotlight, it is also important to remember that maintaining the correct tyre pressure helps to maintain optimum fuel efficiency.

Research reveals that a tyre under-inflated by 10psi increases fuel consumption by approximately 2.5 percent, which is equivalent to three pence per litre. Keeping tyres correctly inflated over a period of time also helps ensure the longevity of the tyres. U

Under or over-inflated tyres tend to wear more quickly than those with correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly.

Condition of tyres and wheels

Clean the dirt from the valves and make sure that valve caps are fitted to each wheel Remove stones and other foreign objects from treads.

Steering alignment should be corrected if front tyres show signs of excessive or uneven wear. If motorists spot uneven tyre wear or signs of vibration when driving, they are advised to have their wheels and tyres balanced.

Tread depth

Current tread depth legislation requires that car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre. TyreSafe recommends that motorists consider changing their tyres before the legal limit.

When driving in wet weather, the tread pattern of the tyre helps to evacuate water. As the tread begins to wears down, the tyre gradually loses the ability to evacuate all water from the road surface, and the lower the tread depth the greater the risk aquaplaning.

Tread depth also has a significant effect on braking, with performance tests indicating that a vehicle braking in the wet with low tread will require a much longer braking distance.

Ensuring that tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct level is fundamental to driver and passenger safety, and can have a significant effect on vehicle handling.

Car owner's checklist

Guides, information and advice on maintaining your car and staying safe while driving.

Prepare your car for the summer holidays

The onset of summer means longer journeys in hot weather for many cars. Read our tips on how to prepare your car for the holiday season.

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