The manufacturer Michelin are advising motorists to check their tyre pressures before setting off on their summer holidays.
According to a recent study, 71 percent of motorists would be happy to spend more money on tyres if they lasted longer, but over half claimed they did not check their pressures at least once per month.
John Howe, Managing Director for Michelin UK and Ireland, outlined the reasons why all drivers should check their tyre pressures regularly.
He explained: “Checking your car’s tyre pressures might seem like a meaningless task, but underinflation can have several significant effects.
“As well as multiple safety risks, underinflated tyres affect fuel consumption – and therefore cost. That’s even before the effect of tyre wear and the expense of purchasing new tyres is considered.”
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However, driving in a vehicle with incorrect tyre pressures can also increase the risk of serious accidents, with Michelin stating that underinflated tyres makes handling less precise.
According to the company, the less inflated the tyres are, the slower it is capable of safely travelling around corners.
In addition, braking is also affected, with tests suggesting that tyres with too low a pressure taking five metres longer to stop at 56mph.
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John explained how safety is affected when drivers forget to check their tyre pressures on a regular basis.
He said: “Underinflation has several knock-on effects. Whilst keeping costs down is important, it is also a question of safety.
“Michelin designs its tyres to operate best at a specific tyre pressure – outside of that and all tyres, no matter the brand, start to lose their performance credentials.”
According to Michelin, drivers should check their tyres when they are cold, meaning the car has not been used for over two hours, and fill the tyres to the pressure figures mentioned in the cars handbook or printed on a sticker typically found on the pillar of a door.
The company also highlighted that motorists should regularly check the tread depth of their tyres by inserting a 20p coin into a groove and checking they cannot see the rim of the coin.
If a police officer spots a car driving on bald tyres, the motorist could face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points on their licence per tyre.
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