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It may be considered an obvious aspect to a fleet manager's overall risk management strategy, but ensuring your tyres, the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, are maintained to a high standard, is imperative.
However, the onus of ensuring tyres are in a roadworthy condition shouldn't solely fall on fleet managers. Basic guidance on pressures, tread wear and general maintenance is provided in the driving handbook included with every vehicle lease. It's vital that drivers are educated on how to carry out simple checks, to proactively ensure the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, reducing the risk of tyres adversely affecting the handling or braking of the vehicle, which could result in an incident.
We advise our clients to cover the basics, such as carrying out checks on tyre pressures and tread wear across the breadth of the tyre. Furthermore, other factors such as cuts, bulges and general damage to sidewalls, and any damage to rims must be looked for in order to minimise further risk.
Maintaining tyre pressures is key to minimising wear; under-inflating tyres can have a detrimental effect on fuel economy. FleetEurope encourages drivers to check tyre pressures at weekly intervals and additionally before long journeys. Underinflated tyres can cause uneven and premature wear, especially on the outer edges of the tyre.
While tyre pressure sensors are a standard fit on many new vehicles, these shouldn't be wholly relied on. They are configured to detect sudden drops in pressure, and while they are an invaluable tool for assessing whether there is a puncture or slowly deflating tyre, FleetEurope recommends manually checking pressures.
In terms of checking tread depth, the legal limit for cars is a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in the centre three quarters of the tyre, throughout a continuous band and around the entire circumference. Failure to comply with this limit could result in a £2,500 fine for drivers and fleet operators, plus three penalty points per tyre. But more significantly, it could have serious safety implications for the vehicle's occupants.
FleetEurope provides a tread depth tool for drivers to manually check that their tyres are in a legal condition. We also suggest that the entire width of tread is checked, as uneven wear may not be immediately visible, especially for areas of the tyre which may be concealed.
It's important to check the alignment of the wheels and if they are suitable for UK roads. Many vehicles are tested on foreign roads, and with a natural crown on all roads, it's important to ensure UK vehicles are not suffering from excessive wear on one side. Following an alignment check, FleetEurope and its repair network can determine whether tracking adjustments are required.
Properly maintaining tyres by regularly checking pressures, wear and other damage can have a small, yet positive impact on reducing a fleet's environmental impact, while also saving them money and avoiding further issues. But, most importantly, this proactive approach ensures drivers and passengers remain safe on the roads, helping fleets adhere to duty of care obligations.
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