Festive tyre tips from TyreSafe

This Christmas, treat your tyres to some extra air, and in return they may give you the gift of not being stranded on the roadside – follow the simple tips from the UK’s dedicated tyre safety organisation, and in addition to reducing fuel bills and tyre wear, you may well prevent a blowout that will ruin your journey, and perhaps a lot more.

TyreSafe wishes to remind families across the UK who are busy preparing their festive period travel plans about the importance of making sure their tyres are properly inflated before heading off. With an increased vehicle weight from extra passengers, luggage and presents being carried to friends and family, many cars will need to have their tyres inflated to a higher pressure to maximise their safety, comfort and efficiency on the road.

“Most cars require different tyre pressure settings depending upon the number of passengers or amount of luggage being carried,” explains TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson. “During the festive period, many of us travel around more as a family or will be carrying extra loads. It’s therefore important that before heading off to see friends and relatives, drivers ensure that their tyres are inflated to the correct pressures.”

Under-inflation or over-loading can cause a number of problems for tyres including higher fuel bills, increased tyre wear as well as reduced safety. When the tyres are not properly inflated for the load being carried, excessive heat builds up inside the tyre which significantly increases the risk of a rapid failure, an event which is most likely to occur during prolonged periods of running at high speeds, such as on busy motorways or A-roads.

“Checking your tyre pressures is a very quick and simple job,” continues Jackson. “By spending just a few moments before you travel, you could save yourself a whole heap of festive misery or unwanted expense.”