Every car owner urged to check tyres today | UK | News
Motorists are being urged to check their tire pressures today as experts warn the latest heatwave in the UK could increase the risk of dangerous tire failure. The warning comes as millions of people brace for rising temperatures and a yellow heat-health alert remains in force across much of England from Saturday to Wednesday. Forecasters say temperatures could reach the high 20s and low 30s in some areas next week.
But new research shows that many drivers fail to carry out even the simplest safety checks on their vehicles. A survey commissioned by Select Car Rental It found that almost half (49%) of drivers had not checked their tire pressure in the last month. More than a quarter (28%) said they left it for at least two months, while 15% admitted they went three months or more without checking. Even though experts recommend weekly inspections in hot weather, only 23% said they had checked their tires in the past week.
Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Hire, warned that changing temperatures can have a significant impact on tire pressure and affect everything from braking distances to handling.
“Ambient air temperature can affect the pressure inside your vehicle’s tires. Warm weather can increase tire pressure, while cold weather can cause it to decrease. Tire pressures can increase or decrease by around 1-2 PSI for every 10°C change.
“This may seem like a small fluctuation, but it can still have a knock-on effect when it comes to handling, braking distance, fuel efficiency, tire wear and overall safety.”
“When tires are underinflated, you can experience excessive heat build-up, which can potentially lead to tire failure, and the serious consequences of this are obvious.
“Meanwhile, overinflated tires can reduce grip and cause tires to be less able to absorb impacts from potholes, increasing the risk of damage.
“The good news is that modern cars will warn you when your tires are underinflated. If you see a lighted symbol on the dashboard that looks like a flat tire with an exclamation point inside, don’t ignore it. But not all Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) warn of overinflation, so this is something drivers need to keep in mind too.”
The findings come as the UK Health Security Agency warns that hot weather could increase the risk to lives of vulnerable people and put additional pressure on health and social care services. Authorities also warned of the increased risk of water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning.
The research also found that 24% of drivers last checked their tire pressure two to three weeks ago, while 22% said it was a month ago. Another 13% waited two months, 10% waited three to five months, and 5% admitted it took six months or more.
As another round of warm weather approaches, drivers are reminded that taking a few minutes to check tire pressures can help improve handling, shorten braking distances and reduce the risk of potentially dangerous blowouts.
