TIP 9 - FUEL EFFICIENT TYRES

Having your tyres inflated to the correct pressure can you save you fuel as well as money. Using less fuel in this way also helps the environment. That's why you should inflate your tyres to the recommended levels once a week.

You should also get your wheels aligned when your car is serviced.

But what of the tyre itself? Most people are not aware that some tyres are more fuel-efficient than others. Indeed, companies like Michelin already produce fuel-efficient tyres.

Properly inflated, the best of these can reduce fuel consumption by anything up to five per cent.

This spot was presented by Jon Dee and was shown on 'Today on Sunday' on April 12th 2009.

What are fuel-efficient tyres?

Research shows that 20% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption is the direct result of 'rolling resistance' in your tyres. This type of resistance is the friction that's generated when the tyre rolls forward. When the car moves, the tyre goes out of shape, deforming from its curved shape into a flatter shape and back again. Overcoming this friction uses up a lot of fuel.

Tyres that have 'low rolling resistance' are also called fuel-efficient tyres as they help to reduce the amount of fuel that you use. One of the fuel-efficient tyres currently on sale in Australia is the Michelin Energy XM1+.

According to Michelin, if all passenger cars in the world were fitted with Michelin Energy XM1+ tyres, each year

10 billion litres of fuel would be saved
60 million barrels of oil would be saved
Total consumer purchasing power would increase by more than $10 billion

What's the best way to check your tyres?

According to tyre experts, you should check your tyres at least once a month and before you undertake any long journey - particularly a journey where you may drive at high speed.

Michelin recommend the following when undertaking a tyre check:

Check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Warm tyres will give you a misleading, higher-pressure reading.
Use a tyre gauge to ensure that you have the correct pressure in your tyres. Many tyre pumps at service stations now have pumps with digital gauges that make this task easier. However, you can also purchase gauges at automotive retailers, service stations and tyre dealerships. Do remember to follow your tyre manufacturer’s instructions.
You can find information on correct tyre pressure in your car owner’s manual or on a small plate inside the driver’s-side door or glove box.
Regularly check the amount of tread left on your tyres. When the tread wears down, small evenly spaced bars appear around the tyre.If you're not sure about this, ask your mechanic to do this for you when your car is next serviced.

Want more information?

Adequate tyre treads and properly inflated tyres are vital for the safety of you and other people in your car. They help to ensure optimum conditions for steering, braking and cornering.

Tyre and safety experts agree that incorrect tyre pressure and a lack of depth to your tyre treads can result in bad handling. According to Michelin, under-inflated tyres:

Reduce road-holding capabilities;
Increase braking distances on wet surfaces;
Are more likely to burst;
Wear out faster;
And increase fuel consumption (because greater 'rolling resistance' increases the vehicle’s energy requirements).

Want more information?

This is another one of our 52 weekly video tips that show you how to combat climate change and save money at the same time. You can watch these tips every Sunday morning on 'Today on Sunday' on Channel 9.

We'll also be posting them on our YouTube channel and here at www.EasyBeingGreen.com.au. To receive a weekly tip in your e-mail, sign up here to the 'Aussies Against Climate Change' Facebook group.