Check your tyres.

[Robmac]

£10,000, 12 points and a ban for 4 tyres under inflated seems a bit harsh. I wonder what the thresholds are - 1lb under/over? 5lbs under/over?

Sounds like a cash cow to me and open to some over zealous police work if it's all true, and it appears that it is;

Don’t let your tyres ruin your summer holidays

We all know that uncomfortable sun burn or a brush with a jellyfish are capable of ruining a summer holiday, but have you thought about the effects under-inflated tyres might have on your break or day trip this summer?

www.gov.uk

I would imagine that fines and points would be issued relative to the offence though, ie. tyres under inflated, with metal showing and no thread may attract the biggest fines - and deservedly so. A couple of pounds under pressure would amount to a warning I would imagine?

I carry a compressor which I would advise anybody to do, you can't rely on station equipment being in working order.

 

[trevskoda]

To me its more like get cars of the road and we want your money, sure tyre psi goes up and down with outside temps, so there must be a upper and lower limit, mind you i have seen cars with only about 5psi in them and clearly should not be driven, also see and hear cars with b pads metel to metal screching like a banshee, yet they drive on with not a care in the world.
Fact is light maintanance/inspection should be part of all driving tests along with changing a wheel, mind you that also seems to be a thing of the past these days.

 

[mark61]

If the roads get anymore potholes, 20 psi will be about the correct pressure for most roads.

Anyway, what constitutes an under inflated tyre? If you tell me what it says on the plate or tyre, go back to start.

 

[trevskoda]

If the roads get anymore potholes, 20 psi will be about the correct pressure for most roads.

Anyway, what constitutes an under inflated tyre? If you tell me what it says on the plate or tyre, go back to start.

Some makers state say 27psi and 2 lbs higher for fast driving, as others have said what is the limit eather side, dont seem gov has stated this as yet.

 

[colinm]

£10,000, 12 points and a ban for 4 tyres under inflated seems a bit harsh. I wonder what the thresholds are - 1lb under/over? 5lbs under/over?

Sounds like a cash cow to me and open to some over zealous police work if it's all true, and it appears that it is;

Don’t let your tyres ruin your summer holidays

We all know that uncomfortable sun burn or a brush with a jellyfish are capable of ruining a summer holiday, but have you thought about the effects under-inflated tyres might have on your break or day trip this summer?

www.gov.uk

I would imagine that fines and points would be issued relative to the offence though, ie. tyres under inflated, with metal showing and no thread may attract the biggest fines - and deservedly so. A couple of pounds under pressure would amount to a warning I would imagine?

I carry a compressor which I would advise anybody to do, you can't rely on station equipment being in working order.

It's a typical bullshit headline, the offence of 1 under inflated tyre carries a standard fine of £100 and 3 points.

 

[GeoffL]

Then there is the bother of finding a) a tyre pump and b) a pressure gauge that will cope with 70psi.

FWIW, about the best 'manual' pump I've found is a bicycle track pump. That will inflate to over 120 psi if required, quicker than a 'standard' foot-pump, and I regularly use one to maintain my van's tyre pressures (70 psi front, 79 psi rear).

 

[trevskoda]

My tyres will go to 80psi but i run them at 65 psi, smoother beter ride all round.

 

[Nabsim]

My tyres will go to 80psi but i run them at 65 psi, smoother beter ride all round.

So, if pulled and checked would you be guilty of running under inflated then?

 

[trevskoda]

So, if pulled and checked would you be guilty of running under inflated then?

I think the 80psi is tyre rating fully loades at over 6 tons, im at 4.3, saying that, how many tyre fitters/makers have told folk to drop the pressure acc to the van weight.

 

[colinm]

As our tyres are inflated to lower pressure than 'door piller' figure, I have put copy of Tyresafe chart in paperwork pack that we carry.

 

[ricc]

There is no one correct pressure for a tyre. Llower pressure gives more grip ,a larger contact patch , more flexible side walls and a smoother ride. The more flexible side walls results in heat generation which gives a pressure rise more at higher speeds, that's why under inflated tyres can blow out onmotor way. And llower pressures give more grip on sand and wet fields. Greater weight on the tyre gives more flexin sidewall , hence more pressure recommended for greater lload.

 

[Nabsim]

I think the 80psi is tyre rating fully loades at over 6 tons, im at 4.3, saying that, how many tyre fitters/makers have told folk to drop the pressure acc to the van weight.

Yes, I run at pressures Conti recommended but they are a good bit less than recommended. Think underinflated could be a very grey issue unless really low but then again you would drop them in sand/mud then re inflate

 

[fergie1061]

Now looking at new motor ...eh new holiday home to ensure I dont break any speed limits, or get done for illegal tyres!!!

 

[Rumour]

There is no one correct pressure for a tyre. Llower pressure gives more grip ,a larger contact patch , more flexible side walls and a smoother ride. The more flexible side walls results in heat generation which gives a pressure rise more at higher speeds, that's why under inflated tyres can blow out onmotor way. And llower pressures give more grip on sand and wet fields. Greater weight on the tyre gives more flexin sidewall , hence more pressure recommended for greater lload.

Actually, that is not quite right! In the dry, lower pressures will make for less contact area with the road, mainly because the centre of the tyre tread will bow inwards. The outside edges will then take the weight and wear quickly. In the wet, because lower pressures cause the tread to bow up, it will give less grip as the tread pattern is not being used efficiently. Lower pressures do not give better grip on sand or wet grass for the same reason.

Tyre companies go through millions of pounds testing tyres and getting optimum performance, then along come drivers who know better!

 

[mark61]

Actually, that is not quite right! In the dry, lower pressures will make for less contact area with the road, mainly because the centre of the tyre tread will bow inwards. The outside edges will then take the weight and wear quickly. In the wet, because lower pressures cause the tread to bow up, it will give less grip as the tread pattern is not being used efficiently. Lower pressures do not give better grip on sand or wet grass for the same reason.

Tyre companies go through millions of pounds testing tyres and getting optimum performance, then along come drivers who know better!

I'll go with desert guides, who will air down as low as 0.5 bar if necessary.

 

[Rumour]

I'll go with desert guides, who will air down as low as 0.5 bar if necessary.

OK if you drive in deserts! But I suspect you drive on the roads for distance and at much higher speeds. Also in the wet and not with sand tyres! Totally different driving technique and speeds. I have done a deal of off-roading, it is not anything like road driving.

 

[trevskoda]

My tyres wear even across the tread running at a lower psi, this is because im not having a 2 ton load of library books on board LOL.

 

[Rumour]

My tyres wear even across the tread running at a lower psi, this is because im not having a 2 ton load of library books on board LOL.

That is why it is important to get the correct pressures for the vehicle, tyre and weight. We run ours lower than Autocruise say, but that is because we have weighed the van on both axles, contacted the tyre manufacturer and use their recommendations. Not just believe some guys on the net who are running in very different circumstances.