Time to re-tyre your rubber?
Over 10 million tyres on UK roads could be dangerous, not because of poor tread, but because of their age, according to new research. Worryingly, the study for Kwik Fit, UK tyre retailer, found that only 17% of drivers know how to identify when their car’s tyres were manufactured, and thus how old they are.
With many motorists cutting down the number of miles they drive each year (vehicle traffic was lower in the first quarter of 2013 than at any time since 2001) drivers may find their tyres reach the end of their life, well before the tread nears the legal limit of 1.6mm.
The research showed that well over half (59%) of UK drivers are unaware that their tyres display the information needed to work out their age, and that 24% are aware, but unable to interpret the numbers. This means that 83% of drivers don’t know how to assess the age of their tyres.
However, although they may not know how to tell the exact age of their tyres, over six million drivers thought that their car had a tyre which was over five years old. Combined with those who don’t know the age of their tyres (14%), it could mean that more than 11 million tyres on cars could be out of date and putting the driver at risk.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit warns those car owners driving fewer miles than in previous years to check the age of their tyres. He says: “Tyres contain anti-oxidising chemicals to slow down the rate of ageing, but the tyres need to be in use for these to be effective. In other words, infrequent use or poor storage can accelerate the ageing process and make tyres unroadworthy. Low mileage, older cars tend to be most at risk from premature ageing − as their owners assume there is no problem if they can still see plenty of tread.
“We would recommend drivers consider changing a tyre that’s more than five years old, even if it’s not down to the legal tread limit. If motorists are unsure about the age of their tyres or would like an expert opinion on their condition, they can bring them in to any Kwik Fit to have them checked over.”
On a regional basis, motorists in the capital appear to be the most likely to be travelling on the oldest rubber, with 41% of Londoners revealing their tyres could be more than five years old. This is almost twice as many as those in the north east, where only 22% could potentially be too old.
Regional re-tyre your rubber table
Position- Location - % of drivers with tyres more than five years old
1. London 41%
2. East Midlands 40%
3. West Midlands 34%
4. Wales 34%
5. South West 32%
6. East of England 32%
7. South East 31%
8. North West 30%
9. Yorkshire and Humberside 27%
10. Scotland 26%
11. North East 22%
Roger Griggs concludes: “Drivers should look for the date of manufacture on their tyre − this is in box on the wall of the tyre shown as a four digit number, giving the year and month the tyre was made. At a glance it may well look like the tread depth is in top condition, but the structure of the tyre may have decayed over time – check for tell- tale signs of cracking on the sidewall. And we would remind drivers to include the spare, which sometimes lays forgotten and unchecked. If drivers have a puncture, a perished spare will obviously be of no help at all in getting them home.”
