Launch of the "Pressure Under Control" campaign

For the sixth time, Michelin is organizing a nationwide "Pressure Under Control" campaign to draw drivers' attention to the fact that under-inflated tires increase the risk of an accident.

Incorrect tire pressure reduces tire grip and increases stopping distance. The campaign also aims to let drivers know that cars with incorrectly-pressured tires use more fuel.

Tests show that when driving on tires with too low a pressure of gasoline, an average of 0,3 liters more for every 100 kilometers.

The most important part of the "Pressure Under Control" campaign is Good Pressure Week. From October 4 to 8, at 30 Statoil stations in selected 21 Polish cities, Michelin and Statoil staff will check the tire pressures of more than 15 vehicles and provide advice on maintaining the correct pressure and changing tires to winter tires.

In addition, the Euromaster service network will measure the tire tread depth. Volunteers of the Polish Red Cross will measure blood pressure.

Too low or too high tire pressure causes a technical malfunction of the vehicle. According to the ASFA (French association of motorway operators) in 2009, up to 6% of fatal accidents on motorways are caused by poor tire conditions.

“Since the beginning of the campaign, that is, since 2006, we have measured the tire pressure of about 30 vehicles, and in more than 000-60% of cases it turned out to be incorrect,” says Iwona Jablonowska from Michelin Polska. “Meanwhile, regular pressure measurement is not only one of the basic principles of economical driving, but above all a way to improve road safety. We encourage drivers to maintain the correct tire pressure; this is especially important in the autumn-winter season.

“Last year's campaign showed that 71% of Polish drivers have the wrong tire pressure, so we are confidently organizing the sixth edition of the campaign at our petrol stations. Last year we tested about 14 vehicles. This year we want to repeat or even increase this number,” comments Christina Antoniewicz-Sas, representative of Statoil Poland.

“One of the seven safety aspects checked by Euromaster employees in customer vehicles is, in addition to tire pressure, the condition of the tread,” says Anna Past, Head of Marketing at Euromaster Polska. “I am delighted that we can take part in this action once again, because thanks to our measurements, all drivers who visit us will be aware of the condition of the tires they drive on and how this affects their safety.”

Michelin is affiliated with the Partnership for Road Safety. From the very beginning, the campaign has been under the patronage of the Police, and its idea is also actively supported by the Polish Red Cross. The project involves Statoil as well as the Euromaster network, which will provide drivers with expert tire tread measurements.