PCL offers motorists tyre advice

It’s getting to that time of year when holidaymakers who enjoy self-drive breaks start to consider where to go and when.

Whether you’re opting for a jaunt to the west of Ireland or further afield to the continent it’s vital that your tyres are fit to make the journey if you want to avoid mishaps along the way. That’s the advice from tyre inflation experts, PCL.

The first job is to assess general wear and tear after the winter, starting with checking for cuts or bulges. A bulge in a tyre indicates structural damage and a need for replacement, as do cuts deep enough to show the tyre’s internal structure.

If the tyres are intact then the next step is to check tyre tread depth and pressure. The recommended tread width throughout Europe is 1.6mm across the full tread width. Anything below that is illegal, however it‘s safer to replace your tyres well before they reach the minimum legal limit.

Tyre pressures should be checked every month, and remember, you cannot judge whether your tyres need more or less pressure just by looking at them. You must use a reliable and accurate tyre pressure gauge.

It’s best to measure tyre pressure when tyres are “cold”, i.e. if they haven’t been driven for more than 2 miles at low speed or have been stationary for at least two hours.  Pressure can be higher after a long run, therefore if you inflate them at this point they may then be overinflated once they have cooled down.

Under or over inflated tyres can cause blowouts and affect handling so it’s of paramount importance to ensure they are accurately inflated before you set off. Apart from being vital for safety, through improving grip and braking performance, accurate tyre pressure also provides decreased tyre wear, increased fuel consumption, and a more comfortable ride.

You should be able to find the correct inflation pressure for your tyres in your car’s handbook. Then all you need in order to get your car ready for the long road ahead is a handy bit of kit such as PCL’s DTPG7 3-in-1 Digital Tyre Pressure and Tread Depth Gauge, which provides highly accurate readings of +/- 0.2 mm. It measures in psi / bar / kPa / kgf/cm² and mm / inch, and if you’re on the road late at night and think you may have a problem with tyre pressure, its stylish blue light will help you see whilst you check. The gauge is also self-calibrating and features a 90 second auto power off. Recommended with 5 stars by Auto Express in 2012 this is an excellent piece of equipment to keep in your glove compartment.

An even more portable device comes in the form of the TPG1, a small but sleek tyre pressure gauge which not only slips comfortably into your pocket and stays secure with its integral clip, but also fits easily onto the tyre valve at 90 degrees due to its angled head. The clever little TPG1 incorporates a self-adjusting friction device which enables the pressure to be read when the tyre pressure gauge is removed from the tyre valve, and a positive sealing washer to ensure reliability. To keep it in working order throughout your trip it comes with a  removable protective cap.

If you need to adjust your tyre pressure, either before you set off or once you’re on the way, there is no need to go out of your way to find a garage. Simply pack PCL’s 12v 3-in-1 Tyre Inflator. The high volume 12v air compressor is suitable for cars, vans, 4×4 vehicles, vans and jeeps, and features a convenient work light. Quick and easy to use, it can inflate a typical car tyre in less than 3 minutes. This is the ideal mobile inflator for long journeys. It operates from a cigarette lighter socket, is easy to read, and features a handy storage compartment for tidy storage of cables, air hose and connectors.

In fact the 12v Tyre Inflator is meant for more than just motoring, it’s the perfect accessory for caravanners. When you consider that tyres are the only part of a caravan that touches the road, then a lot depends on them to keep such a heavy load on track – including braking, steering, acceleration and taking corners. Therefore to ensure that the caravan is as safe as the car that’s pulling it, the caravan’s tyres must also be accurately inflated at all times.

So make sure you include a tyre safety kit on your holiday essentials list, and don’t worry about it taking up too much space – PCL’s motor accessories are designed to tuck neatly into a corner of your car boot so they don’t get in the way but are instantly accessible when needed.

Whether you’re setting off on a long car or caravanning holiday, or even a short day trip, take heed of PCL’s advice and be prepared. For more driving tips check out HYPERLINK “http://www.pclairtechnology.com/FAQs/DrivingYourCar”www.pclairtechnology.com/FAQs/DrivingYourCar.