All Pumped Up

Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. By checking and adjusting your tyre pressures regularly, and also before long journeys, you will save on the fuel used and also increase the life of your tyres. Tyre Safe, am organisation solely committed to raising awareness on tyre safety states that the average driver spends an additional; £150 a year on fuel though under inflated tyres.

The manufacturer of your vehicle specifies the suitable pressure, make sure that the pressure is checked and corrected on a regular basis, at least every couple of weeks. Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe, so check your car manual for the correct tyre pressure. Remember, a car with a heavier load may need different air pressure in the tyres.

Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; and over inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling on the road. Over or under inflated tyres suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly. Tyre Safe says that a vehicle with tyres that are 20% under inflated will have a 30% higher wear rate. Put another way that's an extra tyre for every full set you change. It's important to check tyre pressure regularly. It's not always apparent that air is being lost, but it generally escapes at the rate of up to two pounds of air every month. More air is usually lost during warm weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise.

Look for the tyre pressure recommended for your vehicle in your vehicle hand book or within the technical information usually found on the inside of your vehicle's front right hand door or fuel tank flap.