facts & Statistics

Many vehicles have significantly under-inflated tyres, primarily because drivers infrequently check their vehicles' tyre pressure.

One of the major contributing factors is the difficulty in seeing when a tyre is significantly under-inflated; with natural leakage and seasonal climatic changes also having an effect on pressures.

Surveys have shown that most drivers check the inflation pressure in their vehicle’s tyres infrequently. For example, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) conducted an omnibus survey for NHTSA.

One of the questions posed was: "How often do you, or the person who is responsible for the vehicle, check the air pressure in your tyres?"

The answers indicated that:-

29% checked the air pressure monthly

29% checked the air pressure only when one or more of their vehicle's tyres appear under-inflated

19% stated that they only have the air pressure checked when the vehicle is serviced

5% checked the air pressure before taking their vehicle on a long journey

17% checked the air pressure on some other occasion.

Therefore, 71% of the drivers stated that they check the air pressure in their vehicle’s tyres less than once a month.

Results from Bridgestone show only 6% of drivers are correctly checking the pressure of their tyres.

According to data from the tyre industry...

85% of all tyre pressure losses are the result of slow leaks that occur over a period of hours, days, or months.

Slow leaks may be caused by many factors. Tyre manufacturers commented that tyres typically lose air pressure through natural leakage and permeation at a rate of about 1 psi per month.

In addition, manufacturers said that seasonal climatic changes result in air pressure losses on the order of 1 psi for every 10 degree F decrease in the ambient temperature.

Slow leaks also may be caused by slight tyre damage, such as hitting a curb or collecting a small nail that remains within the tyre.

 

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