RAC Foundation, NTDA Offering Free Tyre Aging Checks

According to the RAC Foundation, up to three million UK motorists could be risking tyre problems during this summer season by not checking the age and condition of their tyres. The motoring organisation made this statement on July 31, at the commencement of an eight-week tyre safety campaign urging drivers of low-mileage vehicles to have their tyres inspected.

A survey of 500 motorists, performed by GfK NOP for the RAC Foundation between July 11 and 13, reveals that although nine out of ten drivers understand the link between tyre age and road safety, up to three million – more than the populations of Greater Manchester or the West Midlands – may not. Furthermore, six out of ten (59 per cent) say they are unlikely to check vital tyre age information contained on the sidewall.

Tyres on vehicles covering a ‘normal’ number of miles each year will be replaced long before ageing becomes an issue, but owners of low-mileage cars, vintage and classic models, caravans, motor homes and trailers need to be aware of the risk of tyre fatigue, state the Foundation. The spare tyre is also particularly at risk of age-related deterioration, as it is often unused even though other tyres may have been replaced over the years.

“Modern tyres are very robust and failure-resistant, but older tyres that have been stored incorrectly or simply not used for many years can become unfit for purpose through the passage of time alone,” said Sheila Rainger, deputy director for the RAC Foundation. “Over the next two months motorists can take advantage of a free safety check and save themselves from perishing on perished rubber.”

Experts agree that older tyres are at higher risk of fatigue, deterioration and potential failure, which is why the Foundation is encouraging motorists to get them checked thoroughly before setting off on summer holidays, where long journeys and heavy loads combine to place tyres under greater strain. The danger signs of ageing can include:

– cracks or crazing on the sidewall

– tread separation, cracks or bulges

– deformation of the tyre carcass

– discolouration and fading of the rubber

Simplifying the checking process could be one answer to the problem, as seven out of ten motorists say they would like to see the current age coding system replaced by an easy-to-read ‘year of manufacture’ date on the tyre. “It’s relatively easy to check a tyre’s age from the sidewall code,” said Peter Gaster, chairman of the National Tyre Distributors Association, “but that will only confirm when it was made, not its physical condition. For complete reassurance, we’re offering free tyre health checks by trained technicians at all NTDA centres throughout the summer.” Motorists can take advantage of free tyre inspections at more than 2,700 NTDA member centres across the UK. Details can be found on the ntda.co.uk website.

A further finding of the survey which is of concern to the Foundation is that 45 per cent of all drivers questioned did not know the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres is currently 1.6mm. Among female drivers, this figure rose to 60 per cent.