Not checking tyre pressure 'can impact fuel bills'

Date: 18/4/2011

Motorists should carry out regular tyre pressure checks to ensure their fuel efficiency does not suffer as a result of poorly inflated wheels, a group has urged.

Road safety group the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) pointed out the importance of tyres and the need to keep them in good condition, as while the wheels "may be less than the size of a footprint," it is the only thing between a vehicle and the road.

As well as this, incorrect inflation could push fuel bills up by as much as five per cent and a 20 per cent reduction in the pressure of a tyre could reduce its useful life by as much as 30 per cent, the charity warned.

Advising motorists, Chief Examiner at IAM Peter Rodger said tyres should be checked weekly, when cold - and pointed out that over inflated tyres are as risky as under inflated ones.

Those planning days out over Easter were recently urged to check their tyre pressures before heading out by safety group TyreSafe.

Checking this part of the wheel is particularly important for those driving loaded up cars that are heavy with passengers and luggage, the organisation said.

Posted by Sarah Bailey