James Todman is a freelance web content editor based in Gloucestershire, UK. For more information about car tyres see Merityre.
As oil prices continue to rise motorists need to find new ways to reduce fuel consumption. By spending an extra 5 minutes at the petrol station, checking car tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, fuel economy can be improved by 10%. This means a saving of £10 a week based on a weekly fuel spend of £100. In a year this adds up to a saving of £520, just by having correct car tyre pressures.
Incorrect car tyres pressure causes higher fuel use in two ways:
• Soft tyres increase rolling resistance on the road.
• If one tyre is a different pressure to the rest then there is an imbalance creating increased tyre resistance.
Both reasons make the car engine work harder and use more fuel.
Car tyre pressure should be checked weekly. Merityre">Merityre.co.uk Car Tyres has a useful video, providing tips and guidance on inflating your car tyres correctly.
By maintaining correct car tyre pressures money is also saved by:
• Increasing the life of the car tyre. Soft tyres wear faster and their sidewalls are damaged.
• Improving a car’s performance, especially braking and road handling.
• Avoiding a £2,500 fine per car tyre if they are deemed not roadworthy.
Five other suggestions by the AA for saving fuel consumption are:
1. Keep to the speed limit on motorways. Driving 15mph above the 70 mph speed limit increases fuel consumption by 20-25%.
2. Check the best route for your destination before departing. Listen to radio for updates on traffic jams and road closures.
3. Keep a safe distance from the car ahead. Tailgating causes excessive braking and acceleration, which uses more fuel.
4. Don’t drive with a roof rack as this can add up to 10% on fuel consumption. An open window can also disrupt air flow adding an extra 3-6%.
5. Use air conditioning only when really necessary. It can increase fuel consumption by 11%.
These suggestions and correct car tyre pressures will contribute to a small but significant reduction in fuel costs, benefiting the environment and helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
For more information about car tyres see Merityre.
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