Accelerating, steering and braking depend on forces where the tyres meet the road. The rubber, tread, pressure, load and surface all affect that contact. A powerful motor and good brakes cannot supply grip that the road–tyre contact cannot transmit.

This applies to petrol, diesel and electric cars. Inspect tyres from a safe position using the handbook; do not crawl underneath or move a car merely to reach a hidden area without a safe method. Record inaccessible areas as unchecked.