In regard to the tyres, we have the principle of 3xP – proper tyres, professional service, precise pressure. If you have the first two P – it is not a guarantee of safe driving yet. And it's only up to you. Too low and too high tyre pressure has its consequences – the tread does not adhere properly to the road surface. When it is too small, the braking distance increases and the grip and maneuverability of the car deteriorates when cornering. Additionally, noise, fuel consumption and car operating costs increase. Also, excessively high tyre pressure worsens the grip and accelerates the wear of the suspension. Unfortunately, according to Moto Data research, as many as 58% of drivers check their tyre pressure too rarely[1]. But remember – tyre pressure shall be measured when the tyres are cold – you can also slowly drive 2-3 km to the gas station to use the compressor.
Dangerous traffic situations have many causes. These include, among others: excessive speed, unadjusted to the weather conditions, failure to give way, incorrect overtaking or failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles. These are not the only sins of Polish drivers. Research[2] has shown that 36 percent. accidents are caused by the technical condition of the vehicle, of which 40-50 percent. has to do with the condition of the tyres.
– Part of the pleasure of owning a car is also taking care of its technical condition. Inadequate tyres or, what is worse, their poor condition are quite frequent negligence on the part of drivers. It is completely incomprehensible, after all, life can depend on it – comments Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).
Tyre pressure that is too low also increases tyre wear. A loss of only 0.5 bar increases the braking distance by up to 4 meters and reduces the tread life by as much as 1/3. As a result of insufficient pressure, deformation in the tyres increases and the operating temperature increases, which may lead to the tyre bursting while driving. Unfortunately, despite extensive information campaigns and numerous expert warnings, still 58% of drivers check their tyre pressure too rarely.[3]
While lack of air, the car drives sluggishly and may pull, and may under- or oversteer when cornering. On the other hand, too much air means deterioration of traction with the ground (smaller contact area), reduced driving comfort, increased noise and uneven wear of the tyre tread. This clearly indicates that the lack of proper preparation of the car for driving may pose a real danger on the road. For this reason, you need to check tyre pressure on an ongoing basis – it should be done at least once a month.
– Checking the tyre pressure takes about as much as we spend on refueling the car. We can do it at any petrol station. It is enough to drive to the compressor, check in the car's manual or on the sticker what the optimal pressure should be and inflate the tyres. Taking these 5 minutes to spare can save our lives. If we have pressure sensors and run-flat tyres, we should also check the tyres manually once a month. Damage to the pressure sensor and thick sidewalls of these tyres can mask the lack of air, and the tyre structure, heated to excessive temperature, will crack – summarizes Sarnecki.
It is also worth using a decent tyre service, where you can safely replace the tyres and check the pressure. The Polish Tyre Industry Association together with the independent certification company TÜV SÜD introduced a system of evaluation and awarding professional services based on an independent audit of equipment and qualifications of technical personnel. It is worth choosing workshops with a Tyre Certificate of the Polish Tyre Industry Association, which have been audited and thoroughly checked. Safe service is your safety!
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[1] Moto Data 2017 – Car users panel
[2] Research of Dekra Automobil GmbH in Germany
[3] Moto Data 2017 – Car users panel
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association