Drivers have little knowledge of how to look after their car tyres with some never checking pressure levels, according to a survey published this week in Britain.
Some drivers, particularly young ones, merely give their tyres "a good kick" to check the pressure.
Only 25 per cent of drivers knew the correct way to measure tyre tread depth, and only 7 per cent were aware of the legal minimum depth, said the survey, from Continental Tyres.
The survey showed that 33 per cent of drivers had no idea how to measure tread depth, and one in three people did not check tyres themselves, with some 34 per cent of women saying they relied on their partners to check their tyre pressures for them.
Only a quarter of drivers rated tyre pressure as among their three most important car safety checks: some 6 per cent had never checked their tyre pressures - and 11 per cent of women drivers have failed ever to do so : 3 per cent of all drivers, and 8 per cent of 16-24-year-old drivers give their cars "a good kick" to test tyre pressure.
Only 14 per cent of drivers checked tyre treads every two weeks as recommended, while just over a quarter (26 per cent) checked tyre pressure this regularly.
Meanwhile, 20 per cent contented themselves with checking tyre pressure every six months.
The survey is published as British authorities prepare to introduce new regulations from September 1st, which will require driving test candidates to demonstrate basic car maintenance knowledge as part of the test.
While welcoming the new regulations, Continental Tyres safety spokesman Tim Bailey said: "As our research has shown, this move by the Driving Standards Authority does not address the overwhelming level of ignorance among the 32 million drivers already on the road."
No such tests are given to learner drivers in Ireland.