Tyre pressure in the UK – A Guide

Caring for your tyres is a crucial part of car maintenance. Not only will it make them last longer but it is also a matter of safety. Having well-maintained tyres will make driving performance better while also ensuring the car is within the legal safety limits for driving. We’ll outline some of the key facts about tyre pressure with some advice on how to maintain roadworthy tyres and what to do in case you get a flat. With this in mind, you’ll be much less likely to risk your or others safety.

What’s the correct tyre pressure?

Specific tyre pressure for a vehicle can be located in either or all of these three places:

• The owner’s manual
• Inside the driver’s door below the latch
• On a sticker on the fuel cap

The pressure of a tyre will have an effect on steering, handling, fuel usage and mileage. Therefore it is crucial to regularly check tyre pressure (at least once a month) as if it’s too low it will cause more wear and tear and could lead to a blowout. Be sure to check your tyre pressure at the beginning of a long journey or if you’re carrying or transporting unusually heavy cargo in the vehicle. Your spare tyre should also be checked. You can check and pump the tyres at your local petrol station.

How to maintain good tyre pressure

• Keep your wheels aligned – uneven tyres can weaken them and make a burst much more likely. Any time you get new tyres have the garage align them.
• Check for damage – this is particularly important during long journeys but should be a habit to look for anything unusual from time to time.
• Make sure there is enough tread – this is the depth of the grooves in the rubber that prevents aquaplaning. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, this is extremely important and should be regularly checked.
• Don’t overload the vehicle – A lot of newer tyres have a label that states the max load. Be sure never to exceed it. If you’re not sure check with a garage or the manufacturer as exceeding can compromise handling and damage the tyre.
• Be careful if mounting the kerb – If done on too high a gradient the tyre’s sidewall can be pinched between the kerb and wheel, which could easily lead to a burst tyre. If you have to mount a kerb do so at an acute angle.

What to do if you burst a tyre

If a tyre bursts while driving, then:

• Keep calm!
• Do not slam the brakes, this could make the situation worse. The tyre could lock and the vehicle may become unmanageable. Instead, look around and slow down to a halt on the side of the road if possible.
• Switch on the hazard warning lights immediately.
• If possible, get out on the side of the car that faces away from the road, put on a safety vest and place the warning cross at the correct distance. This is 50 meters in the city, 100 meters on country roads and expressways and 200 meters on the motorway.

Now you can either change the tyre yourself (provided you have the tools and the skills to do it) or you can call someone who can help you. Since, statistically, a flat tyre typically occurs every 150,000 kilometres, more and more car manufacturers are adding a repair kit to the car instead of a spare. If this is the case use the compressor to pump sealant into the tyres so that you can drive to the nearest garage. Of course, make sure to drive slowly and carefully.