Continental urges drivers to check tyres for summer
With the holiday season getting under way, Continental is urging motorists to examine their tyres carefully to make sure they are still safe and legal.
A thorough inspection of the tyres should include checking the tread depth, the pressure and also looking for any damage that might have occurred to the tread or sidewall, such as cracks or bulges.
Continental warns: “The long winter has taken a heavy toll on the road surfaces and that puts extra strain on the tyres.
“So now is the time when motorists should look particularly carefully at their tyres.”
The best way to check the tread depth and make sure it is not below the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm is to do the 20p test. Insert the coin on its side into the tread grooves at several intervals across the tread.
If you can see the outer band there is a good chance the tyres are illegal and you should get them replaced as soon as possible.
If the tread depth is any less, there is an increased risk of aquaplaning and braking distances on wet roads are greater.
And if you need new tyres it is worth remembering that etyres offers a mobile tyre fitting service and because our overheads are low we pass the savings on to our customers in the form of cheaper prices – up to 40% lower than the leading high street tyre depots.
Tyre pressure should also be checked carefully before setting off on holiday. This should take into account higher speeds and additional load on the car. Motorists are advised to check the pressure when the tyres are still cold, or have travelled less than a couple of miles, because longer journeys mean higher tyre temperatures, with inflation rising as a result.
Check the vehicle manufacturers handbook or the panel inside the drivers door jam to find out the correct level for the car.
Number: Z8037079
Reg: NKF419
