Risk news

Motorists have been warned of a potential safety risk linked to the use pressure washers - which it was claimed could lead to tyre failure.

TyreSafe - formerly the Tyre Industry Council - said it was particularly concerned by the use of such equipment by hand-car wash teams, which have grown rapidly in the UK over the past few years. The problem could also arise when people used pressure washers at home or at their local garage, according to TyreSafe.

It warned that heavy-duty pressure washer machines were capable of dispensing water at extremely high speed, and if aimed directly at the tyre the jet could cause sidewall damage and degradation. The risk was even greater if the water was heated or if the pressurised water was applied for an extended period.

TyreSafe cited research by German safety group DEKRA, which had shown that if a washer nozzle was held close to a tyre at very high pressure, serious damage could occur within just five seconds.

"Even tyres that appear normal after being subjected to a pressure washer may have microscopic perforations, which can weaken the sidewall and cause a possible blow-out," said a spokesman for TyreSafe.

Jet-wash tips
TyreSafe's Chris Wakley told us: "Although DEKRA used industrial strength equipment in its tests, there is evidence to suggest that using a pressure washer to clean your car at home or at a garage, or those used by some hand-car wash services, could lead to damaged tyres."

He suggested using a light-to-medium duty pressure washer only on vehicles - 110 bar or less - and that washer jet nozzles be kept at least 20 cm from the tyre surface.

Mr Wakley also recommended using a fan nozzle to clean tyres, rather than a circular nozzle, and to avoid aiming the water jet directly at the join between the tyre and the wheel rim.

TyreSafe said that strong soaps could also remove protective chemicals embedded in the sidewall of tyres - usually resulting in the visual indication of brown watermarks - which could result in a "significant reduction in durability."

Freezing fears
Meanwhile, a separate study has shown that when it comes to the weather, drivers fear freezing conditions the most.

As temperatures plunged across Britain this week, it emerged that 32% of motorists were concerned by icy roads. Almost as many drivers (29%) cited impaired visibility during fog as the most unpopular driving condition, while slightly less (18%) admitted to being uneasy about driving through snow.

The poll by car care firm Comma showed that relatively few drivers were concerned by sleet (5%), rain (5%) and thunder and lightning (7%), while fewer still were troubled by high winds (2%) and glaring sunshine (2%).

The company urged motorists to "be safe" and to ensure that they embarked on journeys "only when confident of their ability to control the vehicle in the conditions surrounding them."

As well as adopting a "heightened sense of caution" and maintaining a safe gap to the vehicle in front in poor weather, drivers should "always perform the correct vehicle checks before setting off, making sure fluid levels are at acceptable levels, bulbs are functional, and tyre pressures are correct," said a spokesperson for Comma.