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Difficulty: MediumTyre Safety and Requirements

To ensure you obtain an accurate reading, under what condition should you check your vehicle's tyre pressures?

  1. A
    Immediately after driving at high speed on a motorway
  2. When the tyres are cold, before embarking on a journeyAnswer
  3. C
    Only when the tyre tread depth approaches the statutory limit of 1.0 mm
  4. D
    After parking in direct sunlight so the rubber softens

Answer

Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold, before embarking on a journey.
Tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold—ideally before starting a journey. When a vehicle is driven, friction creates heat that causes the air inside the tyres to expand, raising the pressure. Measuring cold tyres ensures the reading matches the manufacturer's specified baseline figures.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the physical factor that alters tyre pressure readings during vehicle operation
Friction between the road and moving tyres generates heat, which expands the air inside and increases pressure readings.
Vehicle manufacturer handbook specifications are strictly calibrated for baseline cold tyre conditions.
2
Determine the correct inspection timing to obtain an accurate baseline reading
Checking tyres before driving (or after they have fully cooled down) provides true baseline pressure.
Measuring hot tyres leads to false over-inflation readings and may cause dangerous under-inflation if air is mistakenly released.

Key Concept

Tyre pressure measurement protocols and thermal effects
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Tyre Safety and Requirements

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