A Word of Summer Caution From Conti

Summer is here and motorists are more inclined to spend time in the great outdoors. This of course provides plenty of scope for vehicles to become plastered with dirt and mud, and the more fastidious drivers amongst us will be giving their vehicles a good many hose downs during these warmer months.

However washing a car can undermine the structural integrity of the vehicle’s tyres, and the German tyremaker Continental has released a timely reminder of the risks of hosing down tyres using high-pressure water. Continental recommends a minimum distance of 20 centimetres (8-inches) between the spray nozzle and tyre when using a high-pressure hose, otherwise damage to the sidewall may occur. Conti further points out that the detergents used can also create problems as they may penetrate between the tyre and the rim flange, potentially causing the tyre to move on the rim during breaking or acceleration.