HALFORDS AUTOCENTRES ADVISES TYRE KICKING MOTORISTS TO TREAD CAREFULLY
Halfords Autocentres is reminding drivers to check their car tyres properly after new research revealed a third (32%) of all them believe kicking a tyre is an adequate test of whether they are properly inflated.
More worrying still was the finding that almost one in four motorists (24%) don’t know how to check if their tyre tread depth is above or below the legal limit, a factor that may explain why two thirds of them (60.5%) have skidded on UK roads during the winter.
Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres said: “It’s surprising how many people actually use this test but unfortunately kicking a car tyre will tell you absolutely nothing about its roadworthiness.
“Whether you drive a Ford or a Ferrari the only thing keeping you in contact with the road is your tyres, so it’s vital that they are given a thorough visual inspection at least once a month to check for damage or objects embedded in the tread as well as tread depth and correct inflation.”
More men than women attempt to test tyres by kicking them – with 42% compared to 30% of confessing to the habit – though both are equally ill informed of what emergency solutions they have in their car boot to assist in the event of a puncture.
A startling one in eight (12%) of all drivers who took part in the research study for Halfords Autocentres did not know whether their car had a full size spare wheel, a space-saver wheel, or just a temporary puncture repair kit – highlighting the fact that they had never bothered to check.
In addition, only 14% of UK drivers considered fitting winter tyres that do not harden at low temperatures and provide greater grip during colder months of the year – compared with 27% of French and 85% of German motorists.
Rory Carlin added: “The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width – which is easily checked using handy markers that are built into the tread itself by most manufacturers, or comparing the depth against the border of a 20p coin.
“However, for added peace of mind drivers should really consider renewing tyres when they have 3mm of remaining tread – which can increase your stopping distance by an extra 8 metres in wet conditions – and fitting specialised winter tyres that will stop two car lengths quicker on snow-covered roads from 30mph.”
Under or over-inflated tyres can cause a dangerous loss of grip and stability when cornering or braking and are also much more likely to suffer from a dangerous blowout. Under-inflation reduces the life of the tyre by as much as 25% and fuel economy by up to 5%, whilst over-inflated tyres are more susceptible to damage caused by potholes or debris.
The latest figures from the Department for Transport revealed that 194 drivers were killed or seriously injured in the UK in 2012 as a result of an accident caused by an illegal, defective or under-inflated tyre. They were also a factor in more than 1,100 road casualties in the UK during 2011.
In addition to the obvious safety concerns drivers who fail to comply with the law face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
Halfords Autocentres is a member of TyreSafe – which is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres – and offers free tyre checks at nearly 300 garages across the UK as part of its commitment to promoting vehicle safety.
To find your nearest Halfords Autocentre visit www.halfordsautocentres.com
ENDS
Media contacts:
Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager
T: 01527 513410, M: 07738 751930
E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Tyre kicking survey: Conducted among 1000 UK drivers during September 2013 on behalf of Halfords Autocentres by Atomic Research.
Winter tyre research: Conducted among 2,500 drivers from the UK, Norway, Sweden, France and Germany during Winter 2012
Halfords Autocentres is a leading independent MOT, car service, repair and tyre garage network. We employ highly trained ATA accredited technicians and use the latest in vehicle diagnostic equipment in over 295 sites – which is expanding monthly - to deliver dealership quality work at affordable prices.
Being independent experts means that we are able to service, repair and maintain any make or model of car in line with the manufacturer’s standards, whilst offering a local price match promise and peace of mind in the form of a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles on work carried out. (See website for terms and conditions)
The Halfords Autocentres name may be a recent addition to the Halfords Group, but our heritage spans more than three decades and we serve over 750,000 customers every year - with over 8 out of 10 of them being happy to recommend us to their friends.