As fuel prices continue to rise and eat away at your budget, you may be looking for ways to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. One thing to look at is fuel-efficient tyres.
Do fuel-efficient tyres make a difference?
Fuel-efficient tyres do make a difference to your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Some sources say that you can save hundreds of litres of fuel over the lifespan of your tyres.
Another source says that you can experience a reduction of 10% of rolling resistance which can equate to 3% reduced fuel consumption. So while the numbers may vary depending on which source you use, there seems to be general consensus that fuel-efficient tyres do help with fuel efficiency.
What tyres improve fuel economy?
There are a couple of things that make a type of tyre more or less fuel efficient – the width of the tyre and the depth of tread. The less friction your vehicle produces, the lower your steering effort, which also means less fuel consumption.
Some tread compounds can reduce rolling resistance significantly. In addition, the shallower the tread, the more fuel efficient the tyre will be.
Wide tyres provide far more friction, making your vehicle consume more fuel, whereas narrow tyres cause your car to consume less fuel.
Car tyre air pressure gauge
You need to use a car tyre air pressure gauge to see if your car tyres are inflated properly.A tyre pressure gauge is used to measure the pressure of the tyres of a car, motorbike or any vehicle that uses inflated tyres.
What PSI should my car tyres be?
Tyre pressure refers to the amount of air in your tyres and is measured in PSI, which stands for pounds per square inch. Having the correct tyre pressure will help you get the best performance out of your vehicle, which will in turn help ensure that the other parts and components operate safely, and efficiently for as long as possible.
Correct tyre pressure enables you to:
- Get the best mileage out of your fuel use.
- rip the road better and keep you safe when needed.
- Not wear your tyre tread down faster than intended.
The recommended tyre pressure can be found in your vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler flap, or on the driver’s door post. The general rule of thumb is 30-32psi in the rear and 32-34psi in the front tyres. If you’re still unsure, get in touch us and we can help.
What is the minimum tread depth required for car tyres?
All vehicles on the road in NZ must meet New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi requirements. The current requirement for tyre tread depth is a minimum of 1.5mm. We strongly advise you to have an experienced car mechanic to check this for you.
How long should a set of car tyres last?
This depends on a number of factors, including:
- the existing condition of your tyres,
- your driving habits, road conditions & climate
- how well you look after your vehicle.
Which tyre is better for fuel efficiency, wide or narrow?
One of the things that makes a tyre more fuel efficient is the width of the tyre. Narrow tyres are generally more fuel efficient. This is because they have lower amounts of friction – less rubber hitting the road.
How to choose tyres for your car?
Because there are so many things to consider, we recommend you talk to a professional about which tyres are best for your car. Your driving requirements and habits, the type, age and condition of your car, the driving conditions and weather of where you drive – these are just some of the things to think about when choosing tyres for your car.
The experienced team at Mt Roskill Collision Centre can give you advice and recommendations based on your specific vehicle and driving conditions.
Call us on 0800 227 762 or email [email protected] for professional and friendly car servicing advice.