No margin for error

Nov 24 2008 Mike Waters

No margin for error

AS Lewis Hamilton was sitting on the grid at Interlagos waiting for the start of the most important race of his life there was bedlam happening around the cars caused by a five minute downpour.

The big issue for the teams was the tricky decision of which tyres to use in the inclement conditions. Tyre selection and performance had a huge impact on the race in Brazil because it is an integral part of motor racing.

F1 teams manage their tyres so closely because they impact on fuel use, performance and driver safety and this is the same for the standard road car. In response to this, new technologies are working their way into the public domain and onto our roads.

Examples that are becoming common include low rolling resistance tyres, which reduce energy use to improve fuel efficiency, and run flat tyre technology which means that, for a period, punctures have little effect on vehicle handling.

However, putting new technologies to one side, we need to go back to basics because many drivers are not mastering simple tyre maintenance. Statistics from RoadSafe show that one in eight cars has at least one illegal tyre.

To put this into perspective, tyre manufacturers state that 75 per cent of tyre blow-outs are caused by incorrectly inflated tyres.

Given that checking your tyres is as easy as filling the car with fuel, and a deal cheaper, with tyre gauges on most petrol forecourts, often free of charge, there really is no excuse for neglecting tyres.

Around three million motorists are at risk because they don't check their tyres for wear or pressure so TyreSafe has its Tyre Safety Month campaign, highlighting the importance of correct tyre pressure which has an impact on safety, cost and the environment.

Poorly inflated or worn tyres reduce a vehicles' ability to stop, causing a hazard for the driver and other motorists. Worn tyres also make insurance invalid with a potential £2,500 fine and three points for each dodgy tyre.

Tyres are crucial but many drivers seem to completely ignore them. If tyres are not regularly checked, at best drivers will take a hit on fuel expenditure, at worst it could lead to drivers being banned or even worse involved in collisions.

The message is clear - check your tyres on a regular basis.

Mike Waters is director of market insight at Arval, Europe's leading fleet and fuel management company.