Improve Your Fuel Efficiency With The Right Tyres

Maintaining your vehicle is not only an important part of road safety but it’s also key to improving fuel efficiency. Did you know that the type of tyre you choose can have a significant impact on fuel economy?

If you’ve been reading any of our articles, you should know by now that under-inflated or over-inflated tyres affect your vehicle’s handling. According to the Department for Transport, 6% of all fatal motorway accidents involving hauliers are caused by under-inflated tyres. Aside from the evident safety issue, incorrect tyre pressure can also significantly increase your fuel consumption.

In this article, we explore several easy ways to improve fuel efficiency and everything you need to know about choosing the right tyres by following the EU tyre labelling.

How Can I Get Better Fuel Efficiency?

Considering the price of petrol in the UK is among the most expensive in the world, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the biggest concerns for motorists. As there’s no indication of a fuel duty reduction any time soon, you should know how to make the most of every litre. Here are some of the most common ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce consumption.

Pay Attention To Driving Habits

Slowing down should be the first driving habit to pay close attention to as it can have a positive impact on fuel efficiency. According to the AA, if you reduce speed from 80mph to 70mph you save as much as 25% in fuel. Going down another 10mph to 60mph can help you save an additional 10%.

As well as changing gears smoothly, it is important to be in the right gear at the right time. Your car uses maximum fuel when driving in low gears and driving too slow which is bad for your car and fuel budget.

Driving sensibly is important as braking or accelerating too fast, too often can negatively impact fuel efficiency. Minimise the number of times you brake or accelerate quickly and you’ll be surprised how much fuel you will save.

Check Your Tyre Pressure

Car tyres naturally lose 2 PSI of air each month so it’s important to check your tyre pressure regularly. Inflating your tyres to the right pressure will help prolong the life of the tyre tread, improve fuel efficiency and rolling resistance on the road.

Even if your tyres are slightly distorted due to incorrect tyre pressure, your car will use more fuel due to additional friction while driving. Tyre safety is about more than just buying good quality tyres, it also involves checking tyre pressure and tread depth, at least once a month.

Recommended: ‘Step-by-Step Guide On How To Check Tyre Pressure’

The Importance Of Servicing Your Car Regularly

One of the best ways to save on fuel is to ensure you service your car regularly. If you keep your car in tip-top shape, it will perform at the optimum level you’d expect. Regular servicing will eliminate issues around the following:

• old spark plugs misfiring
• degrading motor oil
• checking brakes
• regular oil and filter changes
• series of essential checks

A full service will help ease the burden on your engine and provide better fuel efficiency. You should service your car once a year or every 12,000 miles – whichever comes first. At Elite Garages, you can choose between a Standard Service and a Premium Service.

Don’t Overdo The Aircon

The general rule is to regas your air conditioning every two years as it may affect the system’s efficiency. When the refrigerant is low, your car air con will blow warmer air into the cabin which means the system has to work harder to produce cold air. This places excess strain on the engine and will result in using more fuel.

Remove Excess Weight For Better Fuel Efficiency

The maths is simple as the heavier your vehicle, the more fuel you will use, especially in stop-start traffic. We’re all guilty of using our cars as a storage place for anything from golf clubs to prams, files and books. On average, an extra 50kg of weight can increase fuel consumption by 1-2%. We recommend that you only carry the essential items and declutter your car regularly.

Fuel Efficiency And Wheel Alignment

Depending on how often you drive, you should have a wheel alignment check at least every year. It helps your tyres wear evenly and last longer where it can add up to 12,000 miles to the life span. Even the slightest imbalance could potentially result in uneven tyre wear and that annoying vibration on the steering wheel. Not sure if your wheels are aligned and balanced correctly? Take advantage of our free wheel alignment check.

Check The EU Tyre Labelling

Considering tyres account for up to 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption, it’s imperative to choose wisely. If you want tyres that don’t contribute to more combustion and with the highest energy efficiency, make sure you look for the EU tyre labelling.

By law, all new tyres sold across the European Union and the United Kingdom must have a visible label. This provides drivers with information about the performance of a tyre in three key categories:

• fuel efficiency class
• braking and wet grip
• level of emitted noise

Related: ‘How To Read Your Tyre Labels’

How To Read The EU Tyre Labelling

Fuel efficiency is measured on a sliding scale which is displayed from A (best) to G (worst). The difference between a car fitted with A and G class tyres is approximately 0.5 litres per 60 miles (100 km). That equals to a saving of around 80 litres and more than £110 per year according to regulation EC 1222/2009.

The wet grip performance is measured under controlled conditions and also from A (best) to G (worst). The labels include passenger car tyres (C1), light commercial vehicles (C2) and heavy vehicles, trucks, buses (C3). Tyres with the best rating for wet grip will have a 30% shorter braking distance than those with the worst rating.

Exterior noise level is measured in decibels (dB) and indicated by using a pictogram showing up to three ‘sound waves’. A single ‘sound wave’ shows a relatively quiet tyre while three ‘sound waves’ indicates a noisier tyre.

Vehicle Servicing And Checks At Elite Garages

Correct tyre pressure significantly increases vehicle handling and safety so be sure to check yours regularly. We have a wide range of good quality tyres to choose from with highly experienced mechanics ready to advise and assist in any way they can.

With safety one of our primary concerns, all of our Elite Garages offer FREE vehicle safety checks. This includes tyres, batteries, alignment, brakes, clutch and suspension. Find out more information on our website or click here to book a free check now.

Even though nobody can travel far and wide this Christmas, you could still treat your car to a service. Contact your nearest Elite Garages or book a service online today. From everyone here at Elite, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas. Stay safe and let’s hope for a happier and more positive 2021.