Fleet World Workshop Tools
Car Tax Calculator
CO2 Calculator
Van Tax Calculator
BiK Rates Company Car Tax

Four in 10 motorists using dangerous tyres

Almost 40% of cars in the UK are running on at least one tyre that is “dangerously” or “very dangerously” underinflated, new research suggest.

Car tyre

Running a car with tyres underinflated by 7psi cuts fuel efficiency by about 1mpg.

An inspection by Michelin and Kwik Fit of more than 500 vehicles in Tesco car parks around the UK found 27.6% of cars had at least one dangerous tyre – between 7psi and 14psi below the manufacturer’s recommendation. Meanhile 12.0% had at least one classed as “very dangerous” – underinflated by 14psi or more.

Running a car with tyres underinflated by 7psi decreases fuel efficiency by about 1mpg.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “It’s worth reflecting on the fact that a car’s tyres are the only thing to connect it with the road and we urge motorists to check their air pressure, tyre condition and tread depth every fortnight.”

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.