Continental has teamed up with TV presenter and motoring expert Jonny Smith to produce a series of new videos designed to help drivers keep their tyres in tip-top condition.
The series, initially comprising five films, is launched in February 2019. It offers drivers simple, helpful advice on important areas of basic tyre maintenance. The aim is to give car owners the expertise to look after their tyres themselves. In turn, this will keep them and other road users safer and help to save them money by reducing tyre wear and fuel consumption.
The videos cover how to check tyre pressures and tread depth, how to conduct a visual tyre inspection and how to change a wheel. The films also draw attention to the important issue of tread depth, highlighting Continental’s recommendation that tyres should be replaced when 3mm of tread remains rather than the legal minimum of 1.6mm.
Jonny Smith, presenter of Fifth Gear on Quest and YouTube channel Fully Charged, is passionate about looking after the tyres on his cars. He said: “Tyres are the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, so it makes sense to ensure they’re in the best possible condition.
“I’m delighted to have been asked to present these films. It only takes a couple of minutes to watch all of them. And the guidance they provide in some cases only takes seconds to follow. I think they offer valuable advice that can help drivers every day. If these videos improve road safety that can only be a good thing. And if they cut the number of people I see stranded at the side of the road with flat tyres, that’s a real bonus.”
As pioneers in road safety and innovation, Continental aims to ensure all drivers are aware of the benefits simple tyre checks can yield, such as correctly inflated tyres with adequate tread depth. Government figures reveal more than 380 accidents in the UK were caused by defective tyres in 2017, including tyres that were found to be incorrectly inflated or under the minimum 1.6mm legal tread depth.
The 3mm film dramatically demonstrates that when it comes to stopping in poor weather conditions, millimetres can make metres of difference. Using a 20 pence piece Jonny Smith demonstrates the importance of tread depth, highlighting how simple it is to check the basics such as tread depth and tyre pressures.
There are many safety benefits to running the correct tyre pressure on your car. Research by leading tyre safety charity Tyre Safe, shows incorrectly inflated tyres can result in reduced vehicle control, faster rate of wear and increased fuel costs.
The DVSA states that in 2016/17 10% of MOT failures were due to tyre related issues, including finding tyres in poor condition. As road safety specialists, with more than 145 years of expert knowledge Continental recommends regularly examining your tyres to check for any noticeable bulges, tears or cuts. A visual inspection before setting off on a journey could make all the difference. In one of the new films, Jonny explains how to do this.
Mark Griffiths, safety expert at Continental Tyres, said: “Drivers play the most important role in tyre maintenance. Before setting off, Continental advises drivers to spend time inspecting their car and its tyres; it only takes a few minutes. If you want to find out more about how to do this properly, these helpful videos provide the basic knowledge needed to ensure your tyres are safe and roadworthy.
“Continental’s Vision Zero supports a world with zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents and we want motorists to be aware of the vital role they play in safer roads.”
All videos can be found on ContinentalTyresTV:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuriT5De0_5D-ThYWsifgVoLqa9VE73TP
