As part of its Motorway Month campaign, the IAM is offering advice for motorists on how to keep your tyres in check:

P – Performance. You can monitor the state of your tyres through observation of the performance of your vehicle; grip, handling and fuel economy will all be improved with correct tyre care.

A – Air pressure. It is essential that you check your tyre pressures on a regular basis for maximum performance. Low tyre pressure can cause increased fuel consumption as well as making them more susceptible to damage.

C – Condition. Inspect tyres for any cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded in the tread.

T – Tread depth. Monitoring your tyres’ tread is essential for safety, particularly on wet roads. Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, although it is worth considering getting them replaced if they are below 3mm.

In addition, drivers about to embark on their summer holiday are being warned to make sure their tyres are at the right pressure.

Chairman of TyreSafe Stuart Jackson said: ‘Before setting off on their summer holidays, it’s essential that drivers give their tyres a thorough inspection. It’s particularly important to ensure tyres are correctly inflated in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s settings, which may be different if extra passengers or heavy luggage is being carried. But remember to readjust your tyre pressures when you start to using your car normally again.’