Tyres That Help Cars Go the Extra Mile
Car owners often want to know how they can make their cars more economical. The answer lies in the tyres. Motorists remain unaware of the importance of ensuring that tyres remain in good condition, this assists greatly with fuel economy.
Australian tyre recycler and owner of Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett, provides insight to help vehicle owners travel further for less with their tyres. The key is to decrease fuel consumption by reducing tyre friction.
When the tyre makes contact and rotates on the road or gravel, it deforms the tyre and affects its performance over a certain period. This in turn, “influences the traction, cornering, acceleration and braking system of the vehicle”, says Lett.
Lett provides a few tips for motorists to consider to get as much mileage from their vehicle.
Maintain tyre conditions
Saving fuel consumption starts with the correct maintenance of the tyres. There are different tyre dimensions such as the design, material and construction that contribute to issues of noise, traction, wear resistance and its appearance.
Simple measurements should be considered, such as fitting the correct tyre to the vehicle.
A vehicle’s performance is greatly affected by the size of the tyre that is fitted on a vehicle. Branigans Tyres assists in fitting the correct tyre for your vehicle to ensure a positive effect on a vehicle’s performance.
Vehicle owners who consider changing the size of the tyre should also consider the weight of their vehicle. Lett informs that the incorrect tyre size can affect the gear ratio and can put the engine under unnecessary strain.
Regular tyre checks
Many vehicle owners do not know that the tyre inflation, tread wear and wheel alignment impact fuel consumption. Regular tyre pressure checks are essential to decrease fuel consumption. Maintaining proper inflation of the tyre is important for the safety of the vehicle as well as fuel consumption. “Under-inflated tyres can affect the rolling resistance by 10%”, says Lett.
A vehicle’s fuel efficiency is primarily affected by the tyres rolling resistance. Lett explains that the rolling resistance refers to the measure of force that the axle of the vehicle takes when travelling. Many motorists do not realise the extent to which “the rotation and weight of the vehicle affect the shape of the tyre”, says Lett.
An irregular tyre tread increases the tyre’s rolling resistance, and the incorrect wheel alignment causes drag, both of which affect fuel consumption.
Lett advises that tyres should often be rotated to reduce tyre tread.
The pressure of the vehicle puts weight on the tyre causing it to heat up rapidly and wear out the tyre. “If the tyre is worn out, it impairs the handling of the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to lose grip on the road,” says Lett. This causes strain to the engine as more power is required to move the vehicle forward. An overworked engine would increase your fuel consumption quite significantly.
Energy-efficient tyres, that are heat-resistant, minimises rolling resistance. This not only benefits the driver but the environment as well. Lett says, “a lower rolling resistance allows the driver to achieve more mileage from the vehicle”. Motorists should consider eco-friendly energy-saving tyres as less harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Check out their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. The branches are Burleigh Heads: (07) 5535 2660 situated at 13 Flagstone Drive or Southport: (07) 5591 8633 situated at 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd.
