Motorists urged to check tyres

Date: 5/7/2010

As the holiday season approaches, motorists are being urged to carry out essential checks on their vehicles to ensure they arrive at their destinations safely.

Drivers should inspect the condition of their wheels before setting off on long journeys and make sure they have the correct depth tread, as well as ensuring they are inflated properly.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said warm weather can also play a part in the condition of tyres as heat can affect them.

"Checking tyre pressures only takes a few minutes and will make a significant contribution to controlling the tyre's temperature," he added.

Tyres which are overloaded or under-inflated are more likely to suffer from a blowout, especially when travelling for long periods of time or at high speeds.

Last month, David Wood from Shell UK explained motorists can save cash by driving more slowly than normal and keeping the windows closed, along with changing to a higher gear quicker.

Posted by Sarah Bailey