Kwik-Fit Unveils Wall of Shame

It’s not as glamorous as the Pirelli Calendar – which this year features an African backdrop and a bevy of elephants to complement the traditional array of stunning models – but the Kwik-Fit Tyre Wall of Shame is arguably just as compelling, and the company says it is the perfect gift in helping keep loved ones safe on the roads next year.

Kwik-Fit’s Tyre Wall of Shame 2009 calendar features a dozen shocking images of the most dangerous tyres customers brought into Kwik-Fit centres during 2008. The truly frightening part is that, whilst each tyre represents the worst example seen in that particular month, the monthly specimen represents just the tip of the iceberg. Kwik-Fit says it saw enough tyres like these in 2008 to fill at least 50 calendars.

Worryingly, millions of motorists could be closer than they think to featuring in future calendars: Kwik-Fit research found one-in-five (5.4 million) motorists to have under-inflated tyres, and one-in-ten (2.7 million) to have driven on tread depths below the legal requirement of 1.6mm. And it is no secret that driving a car fitted with an under inflated tyre can result in sudden tyre failure, such as a blowout, which can lead to a serious loss of control of the vehicle. Furthermore, motorists with an under-inflated tyre may also experience poor handling and braking performance.

“The Tyre Wall of Shame Calendar 2009 is a timely reminder to motorists of the consequences of not looking after their tyres properly,” commented David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit. “The last thing we want is to produce a ‘Tyre Wall of Shame Calendar 2010’ so we urge motorists to check their tyres regularly to avoid adding to our collection of shockers.

“What’s more, with our popular, cost effective, online tyre booking facility, motorists can order a new set of tyres and have them fitted at a centre of their choice and at a time that is convenient to them,” he added. This can be done at the company’s kwik-fit.com website; free tyre checks can also be carried out at one of the company’s nationwide outlets.