Industry News
Under-inflated tyres add £1.3 billion to fuel bill
8th July 2008
- Number of cars with under-inflated tyres doubles in past year
- Britain could save £1.4 billion by inflating tyres to correct pressure
- 2.2 million extra tonnes of carbon caused by under-inflated tyres
With motorists looking for new ways to cut their fuel bills, Kwik-Fit’s annual nationwide tyre spot check1 concludes that 12 million motorists could cut costs at the pump by a combined £1.4 billion2 in the next 12 months - simply by keeping their tyres inflated to the correct pressure. Indeed the company’s field study found that 46% of cars in the UK are driven with at least one under-inflated tyre, which according to official tests, wastes up to 8% more fuel3.
Furthermore Kwik-Fit also calculates that an extra 2.2 million tonnes4 of carbon could enter the atmosphere this year, as a result of tyre under-inflation. That’s the equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions for Iceland.5
Sadly, the figures are significantly worse than last year’s spot check when only 20% of cars were found to have an under-inflated tyre. The company blames this on a decline in fully functioning, publically available tyre gauges. Indeed a recent report6 from Auto Express found that over a third (39%) of service station tyre gauges are damaged, out of order, or giving incorrect readings.
David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit, commented:
“It’s disappointing that, despite the extra financial pressure on motorists, this year’s spot check found that the number of underinflated tyres more than doubled in the past year. With fuel prices soaring, we hope that by showing how under-inflated tyres add to our fuel bills will provoke motorists into action. If not, then perhaps the impact on the environment will.”
Motorists that are keen to ‘drive green’ might consider Kwik-Fit’s Go Green service. Go Green only costs an extra £29 on top of a normal interim or full service. For this Kwik-Fit will also carry out a number of other important checks and enhancements and will turn your car into a green machine.
David White, continues:
“Aside from increasing the amount of fuel used, under-inflated tyres can cause a blow-out – where a tyre suddenly explodes without warning. Any motorist that has had this happen to them will know it is an extremely alarming situation to be in and has the potential to cause a serious accident.”
Any motorist that is unsure about how to check tyre pressure for themselves or would like a tyre safety check is welcome to visit any of Kwik-Fit’s 670 centres nationwide, without appointment, for a free check-up.
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