According to VAB automobile club and the consumer protection association, Test-Achats, on Wednesday, one in five service stations does not have the appropriate equipment required to accurately check tyre pressure. The two agencies tested tyre pressure equipment in 200 service stations nationwide. They used a 2-valve tyre (one valve for connecting a VAB device and the other for the service station device). In 12% of service stations, the unit was either completely absent, missing parts or not working correctly. In the service stations which did have the necessary equipment, 7% of the devices tested showed an "unacceptable" discrepancy in the readings of more than 0.1 bar. Motorists are advised to check the pressure of cold tyres at least once a month and before every long trip, point out the VAB and Test-Achats, ideal pressure being between 2 and 2.5 bar. Poorly inflated tyres wear faster and increase fuel consumption.
The authors of the study recommend using a digital meter as they are usually more accurate and easier to use than standard analogue systems.
(Source: Belga)
