Underinflated tyres: What does it mean to fuel consumption?

Michal drove to the fuel station angry and fuming that the attendants had been pumping air into his car when he paid for fuel.

His reasoning was that he had bought the same five gallons weekly from the same place and ran the same routine for months but over the last three weeks, the fuel never went beyond the third day.

He was suspicious that the attendant was shortchanging him.

But he denied. The fuming attendant even swore on the grave of his father that he fills what is paid for.

Before verbal exchanges between the pair could degenerate into a scuffle, the stations service and maintenance manager drove in.

When he found what the near fight was about, he invited Michael into his office, offered him a drink and asked a mechanic to drive the car into the service centre and examine the tyres.

The findings sounded funny to Michael but it is a lesson that many have taken for granted—his tyres were underinflated.  Yes! An underinflated tyre has a lot to do with fuel consumption.

Although tyres are part of the vehicle that maintain contact with the road and keeps the vehicle in motion, all other things being equal, not many drivers care about their tyre pressure until it flattens.

Car owners hate the fact that tyres wear out and are expensive to replace. They are a resentment purchase and their price makes it even a bigger grudge.

If tyres were humans, they would have the most complaints, given what they go through—potholes, debris, mud, pools and the slinkiest of places.
It is a well-known fact that under-inflated tyres cause a loss of fuel economy and accelerate tyre wear.

Things to know

Flat tyres and blowouts are a cause of many traffic accidents. Paying attention to the condition of tyres and using common-sense driving techniques to avoid road hazards that could result in a blowout can help you avoid a flat tyre and, potentially, an accident.

Check tyre pressure

Underinflated tyres are one of the most common causes of flat tyres and blowouts. When a tyre has too little air pressure, it produces increased friction, which then leads to excessive heating that could result in a blowout. Experts say that overinflated tyres – tyres with too much air pressure – are more susceptible to damage from potholes and bumpy roads.

 The best prevention here is also an easy fix. Check the tyre pressure regularly, once a month. To get a more accurate reading, use a quality air pressure gauge. Check tyre pressure when the tyres are “cold,” having rested for three hours or not driven more than five kilometres since your last outing. Use the tyre pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, found in the owner’s manual and the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door panel.

Check tyre treads

 Worn treads on tyres can prove risky – and subject tyres to flats and blowouts. Look at the wear bars. If they are level with the treads, it means the tyre has worn down and you need new tires. Visually inspect tyres for wear patterns that are uneven, since these can cause handling problems. Excessive wear on the tyre’s centre and side is most often caused by underinflated tyres.

Do tyre rotations at oil change

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that tyres be rotated at 8,000-kilometre intervals. Another way to ensure tyres get regularly rotated is to have this done when the oil is changed.

Watch out where you drive

 Avoid driving through construction areas or on roads you know aren’t well maintained. Nails, glass, metal shards, sharp rocks and potholes can easily cause punctures and flat tyres.  Experts also recommend avoiding driving on the shoulder of the road or highway, since this area often accumulates debris from accidents and can be full of sharp rocks.

Keep an eye on the load

 Each tyre should have a maximum load rating printed on the centre of the tyre’s sidewall. Why is this important? When you load your car or truck, you don’t want to exceed this maximum load rating. Overloaded tyres are subjected to more heat and friction and are more likely to fail.

Be on the lookout for tyre recalls

 Although defective tyres are relatively rare, it’s still a good idea to be on the look out for a recall from the tyre manufacturer. The NHTSA says it receives an average of 20 tyre recalls each year. Check for tyre recalls on the NHTSA site or sign up for email alerts.