Speed and driving style: winding roads, rapid acceleration, harsh braking, can all impose undue stresses on the tyre which can reduce the tyre's life (at 120 Km/h a tyre wears out twice as fast as it does at 70Km/h).

Overloading or under-inflating a tyre by 20% reduces its life by around 26%.

Shocks: hitting kerbs, driving fast over potholes, large stones and other obstacles can be the cause of tyre damage that is not always immediately apparent.

We recommend checking tyre pressure every fortnight, not forgetting to check the spare as well. This should be done when the tyres are cold, as the pressure in a tyre will increase as it warms up.

The pressure settings when the tyres are cold should always correspond to the recommendations given by the vehicle manufacturer or tyre company. You should pay particular attention to any abnormal conditions of use, e.g. full loads, towing a trailer etc. In order to protect the valve and ensure that the tyre pressure is maintained, we recommend fitting a valve cap with an air tight seal.

Driving with tyres at incorrect pressures is dangerous. Under inflation causes heat to build up in the structure of the tyre, which can result in sudden and rapid deflation. This can happen some considerable time after pressures have been corrected.

Not all modern vehicles have a full sized spare tyre on board anymore. Many will come with a smaller, temporary space saver tyre. Some more premium cars have ‘run-flat’ tyres which means you just keep driving all the way to a tyre shop with a puncture – safely. Or, you might just have a repair kit – a kind of goo you squirt in to the tyre to help you keep moving until you can get assistance. It’s always a good idea to know what your car has on board in case you need it.

Book all your tyre, wheel alignment and puncture repairs with Beaurepaires, Goodyear Auto Centre and Bridgestone Tyres. You can use the LeasePlan Driver App or supplier finder to find a tyre outlet near you. Please let the service centre know your vehicle is managed by LeasePlan.