Deflation… Unsafe and Costly

A report in the Independent says that 70% of European drivers (that includes Britain) are driving on under-inflated tyres.

The survery was done by Bridgestone, who calculated that 2 billion litres of fuel are wasted annually as a direct result. Nearly 10% of cars tested were so seriously under-inflated they were dangerous.

You should always:

• check your tyre pressures regularly
• look for any obvious deflation at other times
• get the correct information from your handbook or the label in the door frame or under the fuel flap (there will be one somewhere)
• DON’T read it off the tyre
• use a reliable gauge – don’t trust the garage forecourt meters
• measure the pressure cold – before a journey
• don’t forget the spare tyre

You can pick up pressure gauges from Halfords for around £5.