TyreSafe advises on holiday tyre checks

TyreSafe has given motorists a pre-holiday check list for tyres, including tread depth, inflation and condition tips. “Whether you’re heading overseas in your car, or staying in the UK, correct tyre maintenance is vital to reduce the risk of being stranded by the roadside or involved in an accident as a result of a tyre related issue,” says Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Thankfully though, important pre-travel checks which can prevent such problems are simple to do and only take a few minutes to perform.”

As well as the reduced likelihood of being involved in an accident, other benefits for drivers of correct tyre care include longer tyre life and reduced fuel bills. When tyres are underinflated their rolling resistance increases meaning more fuel is required to drive the car. One TyreSafe member estimates that when tyres are under-inflated by just 6psi, or around 20 per cent, fuel bills rise by 3 percent.

Furthermore, under-inflated tyres cause additional unnecessary expense for drivers as they wear out much quicker and need replacing sooner. When run at 80 per cent of the recommend pressure, it is estimated that tyre life falls to around 75 per cent. At 60 per cent pressure, tyre life falls to just 35 per cent.

When checking tyre pressures, drivers should ensure they are inflated to the correct levels for the load being carried. Many vehicles require higher tyre pressures when carrying extra passengers or heavy items such as suitcases, bikes or roof boxes. Details of correct tyre pressures can be found either in the driver’s handbook, inside the fuel filler cap, or on a plate located on the driver’s door sill. Alternatively, iPhone users can download the free TyreSafe app which gives drivers the correct tyre pressure settings for their vehicle.

Equally important as tyre pressure is tread depth. But as Jackson explains, TyreSafe has devised a simple way for drivers to determine if their tyres have enough tread: “The British weather is renowned for its unpredictable nature, so tyres need adequate tread depth to be able to cope with wet roads in the event of a sudden downpour. By visiting the TyreSafe website, drivers can see how to take the 20p test to see if their tyres have adequate tread depth to keep them safe and legal.”