Overview
- Experts from Just Tyres and multiple news outlets urged drivers on Thursday to perform a quick tyre check before Bank Holiday travel because the Met Office forecast an exceptional spell of warmth.
- Tyre pressure typically rises by about 1 PSI for every 10°C of ambient warming and road surfaces can run far hotter than the air, so tyres that were correct when cool may now be overinflated.
- Overinflation reduces the tyre's contact patch, cuts grip, lengthens braking distances and makes tyres more vulnerable to impact damage that can cause a dangerous blowout at motorway speeds.
- Many tyre pressure monitoring systems only warn for underinflation, so drivers should check pressures when tyres are cold, set them to the manufacturer's recommended values and release small amounts of air if needed.
- Drivers should also inspect sidewalls for bulges and check tread with a 20p coin for the legal 1.6mm minimum, and carry out other simple pre-trip checks such as fluid levels, battery health and lights to avoid breakdowns.