5 reasons your tyres are wasting your petrol

Poor tyre maintenance could be costing South African motorists by increasing fuel consumption, causing them to spend more at the pump.

South Africa is staring down a third consecutive monthly fuel price increase next week, and although it’s not looking as bad as it did at the start of April, these increases are starting to add up.

As a result of these compounding increases, motorists are looking to change their driving behaviour and implement maintenance that could help to stretch their fuel a little further.

This is according to Dev Naidoo, Supa Quick Fleet Manager and Tyre Expert, who says South African motorists felt the impact of the April fuel price increase immediately, causing them to adjust their driving habits.

“While much of the focus has been on external factors such as global oil prices and the rand, vehicle condition remains one of the more practical ways motorists can manage fuel efficiency in the short term,” he says.

According to the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), poorly maintained vehicles can use between 10% and 20% more fuel than those that are properly maintained.

Within the current environment, where fuel prices are expected to continue to rise, the gap is becoming harder to ignore, adds Naidoo.

“Vehicle maintenance and tyres are likely to be one of the biggest factors influencing how far a tank of fuel goes for many South Africans over the coming months,” he explains.

“It is also one of the areas motorists pay the least attention to.”

Naidoo notes that it is common to see vehicles at fitment centres with small issues, such as incorrect tyre pressure or poor alignment, that have gone unnoticed for a long time.

“These are not always urgent enough to stop a journey; however, they do affect how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel,” he adds.

How your tyres affect fuel consumption

To help motorists get the most out of their tyres and save money on fuel, Naidoo shared ways to improve tyre maintenance, which could reduce fuel consumption.

He explained that poor tyre maintenance can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%, mostly due to being below the recommended level.

Lower pressure increases the surface area of the tyre in contact with the road, which forces the engine to work harder, particularly in traffic or on longer commutes.

“A simple pressure check, adjusted to the manufacturer’s specification, can significantly improve efficiency,” notes Naidoo.

Wheel alignment also has a role to play in a vehicle’s average fuel consumption, but according to Naidoo, this is easy to overlook and often goes unchecked for a long time.

He explains that when wheels are misaligned, they create drag, adding resistance and increasing fuel usage over time, making addressing the issue early crucial to prevent unnecessary fuel loss.

Motorists often leave worn tyres unaddressed until it’s too late, considering that when tread depth is reduced, the tyre’s ability to maintain consistent contact with the road is compromised.

“If wear is uneven, often due to poor alignment or incorrect pressure, the tyre does not roll smoothly, increasing resistance and fuel demand,” says Naidoo.

“Although the legal tread limit is 1.6mm, tyres begin losing effectiveness well before that. Replacing tyres at the right time helps maintain performance and fuel efficiency.”

He adds that motorists often delay maintenance until it cannot be avoided, by which point the vehicle may already have been operating inefficiently for some time.

Regular tyre, brake, and alignment checks help maintain performance and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

Finally, Naidoo notes that vehicle weight is often overlooked when considering fuel efficiency, as many motorists carry unnecessary items in the boot or on roof racks.

“Removing unnecessary weight and using accessories only when needed can help improve efficiency over time,” he advises.

While fuel prices are beyond motorists’ control, vehicle efficiency is not, with small, practical adjustments capable of having a meaningful impact on day-to-day driving costs.

“At fitment centres, simple interventions such as correcting tyre pressure or addressing alignment issues are often enough to improve overall vehicle performance,” says Naidoo.

“For motorists looking to manage fuel spend, the starting point is not necessarily driving less, but ensuring their vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible. In many cases, that begins with the tyres.”