''UNDER PRESSURE? DON''T IGNORE TYRES''
03 February 2006 - IAM Institute of Advanced Motorists

We all know that tyres are among the most unfashionable items on the car.But that doesn''t mean that we should ignore them.

We do so at our peril. Those few square inches of rubber that keep us in
contact with the road may only be the size of a credit card. But rain or
shine, that is all that comes between the car and the tarmac.

There''s an old saying: the brakes stop the wheels, but the tyres stop the
car. It stands to reason that they can''t do that job properly if you ignore
them. Yet a recent survey showed that is precisely what we do: seven per
cent of motorists admit that they only check their tyre pressures and the
tread depth once a year.*

Under-inflated tyres wear far more quickly than they should. Tyre technology
means that they are far better engineered than they need be. But that also
means that they are expensive things to replace and why run the risk of a
blowout in the meantime?

Industry experts claim that a twenty per cent reduction in pressure can
shorten a tyres useful life by up to 30 per cent. Tyre waste is a major
environmental headache. And checking that the pressure is correct for the
car (including the loading) can also make a considerable impact on your fuel
bill over the course of the year. The extra drag of neglected tyres will
mean that each fuel tank is three per cent less efficient. That wasted fuel
means more CO2 in the atmosphere

Don''t be tempted to add a few pounds per square inch. Over inflated tyres
can cause poor vehicle handling, reduced stability in braking, cornering and
reduced grip.

The IAM recommends that you check your tyres for wear, damage and pressure
at least once a month. If you pick up a nail, or damage the sidewall on a
pothole or a curb, you may be able to save the tyre before it''s ruined.

For advice on any aspect of motoring visit iam.org.uk.

http://www.iam.org.uk

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