October is TyreSafe's Tyre Safety Month, and as proud supporters of TyreSafe, we want to use this month to raise awareness about tyre-related issues, how to prevent them, and what tools PCL has to offer that can help avoid any future problems.
In the video below, our South of England Area Sales Manager Michelle Foord highlights 5 reasons why drivers should be checking their tyres at least once a month and before long journeys.
No. 1 Safety
Tyres are the only parts of the car which are in contact with the road. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact.
Maintaining correct tyre pressure and tread depth with accurate equipment is vital to ensure your safety on the road. Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres, and tyres with a low tread depth affect handling and grip, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable vehicle behaviour. They are also much more likely to suffer from a dangerous sudden rapid deflation, especially on high-speed motorway journeys.
No. 2 It's the law
Driving with tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit is not only a safety hazard but also puts you at risk of incurring a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
No. 3 Better fuel economy
Under-inflated tyres require a bigger force to make them turn, so your car uses more fuel and releases more CO2, it's estimated 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 is wasted in the UK every year due to tyre under-inflation (BTMA Ltd). By keeping your tyres at their correct pressure, your running costs are also reduced.
No. 4 Extend tyre life
Tyres which are not set to their correct pressure wear out more quickly. According to the BTMA Ltd, 600,000+ tyres are wasted in the UK every years due to under-inflation.
Maintaining your tyre pressure can extend the tyres life, saving you money but it also means less tyres going in to landfill which is better for the environment.
No. 5 Driver comfort
Poorly inflated tyres cause increased vibration and road noise, your car is also more susceptible to the bumps on the road, meaning you will be able to feel when you drive over even the smallest pothole.
The tyre is the key element that is known to absorb the shock on the road better so driving with correctly inflated tyres is crucial for a more comfortable drive.
