Do you know how much air to put in your tyres, or how often they should be checked?
 
If not, you could be one of an estimated 733,436 drivers, or one in five, on Victorian roads with at least one unroadworthy tyre. Worse, you could be sharing the road with these drivers.

A Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and RACV survey of 1000 cars and their drivers in Melbourne revealed one in five cars had at least one unroadworthy tyre – making it illegal and dangerous to drive in this condition.

The survey also revealed almost 40 per cent of drivers (up to 1.17 million drivers on Victorian roads) did not check their tyres regularly to ensure their families’, friends’ and their own safety on the road.

VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said this was an appalling situation where drivers had become apathetic and neglectful.

“Every driver should check their tyres weekly for any signs of damage or wear and tear. It is illegal to have a tread less than 1.5mm deep.

“It is important drivers know to measure and inflate their tyres to the correct pressure. Checking should be done when tyres are cold to get the most accurate reading of the tyre pressure.

“Both under-inflated, and over-inflated tyres are dangerous.”

Mr Purchase said there were a number of ways to check tyres and to maintain them easily and effectively:

• Check your tyres each week – this sounds like a hassle but only takes a few minutes.
• Check your tyres when they are cold – warm tyres give a higher pressure reading.
• Ensure tyres’ are at the recommended pressure – consult the owner’s manual or a small plate inside the door or glove box.
• Use a tyre pressure gauge to check tyres – buy at automotive outlets, service stations or tyre dealers and follow manufacturers’ instructions. To find your nearest tyre dealer log onto the VACC Website and type in Tyre Dealer in your area.
• Keep an eye on the tyre tread - when the tread wears down, small bars will appear, evenly spaced around the tyre.

If you are physically unable to check your own tyres click here to find a Driveway Assist Service Centre that will happily provide for your needs.

The tyre survey was conducted as part of Auto Safety Week, an annual event throughout Victoria and a joint initiative between VACC, RACV, TAC and VicRoads.