For Tyre Safety Month 2019, the UK’s leading tyre safety charity, TyreSafe, has released the campaign ‘Look Who’s Talking’ which focuses on three key areas of tyre maintenance; Air Pressure, Condition and Tread Depth.

TyreSafe is dedicated to raising awareness of the potential dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. Established in 2006 as a non-profit organisation, TyreSafe campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations, striving to ensure the menace of defective or illegal tyres is eradicated from Britain’s roads.

Air Pressure

It’s not hard to find the right tyre pressure for your vehicle, either use the sticker on the driver’s door frame or inside the fuel filler cap for the correct tyre pressures. Alternatively, you can find this information in your owner’s manual.

Purchasing a tyre pressure gauge is a good investment and a handy gadget to have as it allows you to check tyre pressure on the go but most garages will have air replenishment services.
Remember:

  • Always check air pressure when your vehicle’s tyres are cold
  • Increase tyre pressure if carrying heavy loads, or towing
  • While newer cars are fitted with TPMS, you should not completely rely on it, carrying out manual checks as well only eases concerns and ensures your safety

How to check the air pressure of your tyres

You can check the pressure of your tyres by either using a compressor or by visiting the nearest garage with free air for tyres.

It’s simple to check tyre pressure and re-inflate your tyres if required.

Just follow the steps below:

  • Remove tyre valve cap and push tyre pressure gauge onto valve
  • Check reading and add air until the tyres are correctly inflated (remember…add more air if towing or, have a heavy load and remove air if they are overinflated
  • Once your tyres reach the correct pressure, replace the tyre valve cap
  • Test the remaining tyres and don’t forget the spare!

TT Trade Tyres offer free tyre checks. Book your vehicle in today and our experienced technicians will offer you sound and impartial advice.

Condition

Tyres support the weight of your vehicle and provide drive, grip and directional control. Therefore, it is hugely-important motorists ensure they are in the best possible condition. The following checklist outlines some simple procedures that if carried out regularly, will ensure your tyres remain safe:

Tyre Checklist

  • Selection & Fulfilment: Select the right tyre for your vehicle
  • Visual Tyre Care: Visually check tyre condition on a regular basis
  • Tread Depth Inspection: Inspect tread depth to ensure tyres are safe and legal
  • Tyre Pressure: Maintain correct inflation pressures
  • Tyre Positions & Handling: Fit tyres in sets of two or four. If just two fit them to the rear. For 4x4s use identical tyres all round
  • Alignment: Consider a wheel alignment check to ensure tyres wear evenly
  • Valves: Maintain valves to extend the life of your tyre and improve safety

Prolonging the life of your tyres

Follow these top tips and stay safe on the roads:

  • Check your tyre pressures once a month (Don’t forget the spare!)
  • Check your alignment every 6,000 miles as incorrectly aligned wheels affects the wear of a tyre
  • Contact us and the get your wheels balanced when vibration occurs
  • Get a professional to assess the inside of your tyres when impacts or punctures occur
  • Avoid parking over oil or solvent spills…these will cause tyre damage
  • Driving speeds and behaviour directly affects tyre life so act accordingly
  • Have the general tyre condition checked regularly with a free tyre check
  • Rotate the tyres from the front and rear wheels for more even wear