According to research damaged and badly maintained tyres are the most common among widespread factors that contribute to accidents. Tyres are undoubtedly the most critical safety component on a vehicle as it affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking.

“Drivers often forget that only correctly inflated tyres can do their job properly, delivering the right level of handling performance. Our comprehensive tyre tests show that under- and also over-inflation can have a significant impact on the car’s overall driving behaviour and its stopping distance.

But it impacts not only the car’s safety, it also decreases the tyres’ potential mileage and the car’s fuel efficiency” says Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Public Relations Manager.

“Drivers frequently make one of three classical mistakes: either they don’t check their tyre pressure before departure, or alternatively, they check the pressure when the tyre is warm, which results in incorrect readings, or they put it at a level that does not take into account the weight of the car – empty or fully loaded, it makes a difference.“

Proper inflation for better driving stability

Properly inflated tyres are necessary to keep the vehicle’s handling performance at optimal levels, especially its cornering and braking abilities. Many problems start with a gradual and unnoticed loss of inflation pressure.

“When a tyre is under-inflated, the car’s weight is concentrated on the outside part of the tyre tread, increasing pressure on the tyre’s sidewalls (the tyres’ shoulders as we call them), rather than being spread out evenly across the width of the tyre. This means that as the tyre rolls, the sidewall heats up more than it should, and that affects both performance and safety.

Under-inflation means less evenly distributed pressure on the road. It also reduces the tread area that is in direct contact with the road. These effects reduce the tyres’ grip and especially in combination with a heavily loaded car, can have a significantly impact on the car’s driving behaviour.

Stopping distances become longer and cornering abilities can become sloppier and less direct, which can lead to uncontrollable driving behaviour. Our tyres are highly performing products, equipped with sophisticated technologies. To make use of their abilities to the full extent, the right tyre pressure must be applied”, explains Harris.

Don’t kick your tyres – check them properly

Tyres may loose up to 0.2 bar air pressure in a three-month time period, solely as a result of the everyday diffusion processes in the tyre. “Too many drivers make the mistake of thinking that a kick to their tyres or a visual check will tell them if their tyre pressure is correct.

A visual inspection cannot detect a 0.2 bar decrease in pressure. Studies carried out by the European Union have shown that more than 64% of all cars have under-inflated tyres. Most drivers simply don’t check their tyre pressure often enough, which can have a significant effect on vehicle safety.”