Enough air? That’s the question we should be asking when we inflate our tyres for the annual migration coastwards over the holiday season.
Tyre manufacturer, Goodyear, eminds motorists that having the correct tyre pressure, besides being a safety issue and saving significantly on wear and tear, also makes a difference to your pocket.
Enough air? That’s the question we should be asking when we inflate our tyres for the annual migration coastwards over the holiday season.
Tyre manufacturer, Goodyear, eminds motorists that having the correct tyre pressure, besides being a safety issue and saving significantly on wear and tear, also makes a difference to your pocket.
Goodyear’s Automotive Engineering manager, Peter Henning, says running a tyre just 20% under-inflated can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%.
“An under-inflated tyre deflects more energy, increasing rolling resistance and robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency.
At today’s fuel prices, and especially during this holiday season when people generally travel a lot further,
10% is a considerable and unnecessary expense that could be saved by a little more fresh air.
“As well as being heavy on your pocket, running underinflated tyres also reduces their tread life, which means they will need to be replaced sooner than necessary. Plus it can be dangerous – studies show that 87% of all flat tyres have a history of under-inflation,” Henning said.
Statistics also reveal that one in every three cars has at least one under-inflated tyre and, while nearly seven in ten drivers say they wash their vehicles every month, only just over half check tyre pressure in that period. The majority of drivers (71%) forget altogether to check the pressure in their spare tyre.
Dean Roberts, a spokesman for Mastertreads, which has been successfully servicing motorists in the Western Cape region for more than 50 years, said that in the interests of safety, their outlets offer free tyre inspections.
Hi-Q managing director, Sean Harrison, said that over time, even normal driving conditions affect steering and suspension, which, in turn, affects a vehicle’s wheel alignment.
“All four wheels, plus the spare tyre, should be professionally inspected before a long trip. Modern, wellequipped stores like Hi-Q use electronic four-wheel alignment machinery, which is both more efficient and more accurate.
“The best time to check the pressure is when the tyres have had a chance to cool down, not when they are warm, as some people believe. The correct ‘maximum’ inflation pressure is to be found on the sticker on the driver’s door, the fuel door, or inside the vehicle manual under ‘recommended inflation pressure’,” Harrison explained.
Trentyre, Hi-Q and Tirepoint stores have a massive national footprint, with branches in both big city suburbs and small towns. All these one-stop fitment stores offer puncture repair services and stock a full
range of passenger and recreational tyres.
“Keeping tyres properly inflated promotes safety, helps tyres wear evenly, enhances ride comfort and maximizes fuel economy,” confirmed Trentyre operations director, George Vlok.
