Petrol prices in South Africa are currently at the mercy of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but small tyre maintenance changes may cushion the blow, however slightly.
Despite the government’s intervention, petrol prices increased by a little over R3 per litre at the start of April, while diesel prices spiked by more than R7 per litre.
Depending on how the coming weeks go, May could see prices for both petrol and diesel jump even higher, forcing motorists to look for practical ways to use fuel more sparingly.
Sherry Sibeko, Executive Head for Personal Lines at MiWay Insurance Limited, says that the best place to start is basic vehicle maintenance, which includes a good look at your car’s tyres.
“Simple maintenance steps and informed vehicle decisions can have a noticeable impact on monthly fuel spending, especially during periods of rising prices,” she explains.
Sibeko adds that basic vehicle maintenance remains one of the simplest and most effective ways for motorists to improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
“A well-maintained engine operates more efficiently. Replacing air filters, ensuring spark plugs are in good condition, and keeping fluids topped up can all help improve how efficiently a vehicle runs,” she explains.
With regard to tyre care, Sibeko notes that underinflated tyres create more resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel to move the vehicle.
As minor as this seems, poor tyre maintenance may add thousands of rands to a driver’s fuel bill over time.
Beyond the condition of tyres, Sibeko explains that wheel alignment also plays a major role, even though it is an often-overlooked factor.
“When wheels are not properly aligned, the vehicle essentially works against itself as it moves forward. This increases drag and causes the engine to use more fuel than necessary,” she adds.
Tyre maintenance that saves petrol
Every time your vehicle moves, its tyres encounter rolling resistance, which is the force required to keep them rolling.
As the tyres rotate, they deform against the road surface and lose energy in the form of heat, forcing the engine to work harder to keep the vehicle moving, and increasing fuel consumption.
When tyres are under-inflated or misaligned, the amount of rolling resistance increases, leading to increased fuel consumption.
Continental Tyres explains that rolling resistance is a natural force which can be managed through proper tyre maintenance.
Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, and their condition influences how much energy is required to keep the car moving efficiently.
Well-maintained tyres can help to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and save drivers money on fuel.
The easiest way to stay on top of tyre maintenance is to ensure they are properly inflated, which can save up to 3% in fuel costs.
“On the other hand, increasing the comfort inflation pressure by 0.4–0.5 bar reduces the rolling resistance of the tyre by about 10% and improves the driving stability of the vehicle,” notes Continental.
Alongside tyre condition, the alignment is also crucial to keep in check, as misaligned wheels create uneven tyre wear, increasing rolling resistance and fuel consumption.
Continental suggests regularly rotating tyres – every R5,000km to 10,000km to help ensure even wear and better fuel efficiency – to add up to 2.2% in total savings.
“Poor alignment can lead to up to 10% more fuel consumption. Regular rotation helps maintain even wear and fuel efficiency,” the manufacturer explains.
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