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Reduce your fuel bill and save your life at the same time by pumping up your tyres

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<i>Image: iStock</i>
<i>Image: iStock</i>

A simple, free safety check at your local petrol station could reduce your fuel bill – and potentially save your life, according to Jeff Osborne, Head of Gumtree Automotive.

"It's estimated that at least a quarter of drivers have one or more under-inflated tyres on their vehicle. This is not only dangerous, but wasteful."

Pump up or be at risk

Under-inflated tyres burns off more fuel because it increases their rolling resistance. A study in Canada showed that almost 643 million litres of fuel is wasted each year simply because of improper inflation.

Under-inflating your tyres creates excessive heat build-up which can wear your tyres down and even cause the tyre to blow out.

READ: Feeling pain at the pumps? Top 10 tips to help you save on fuel

"The other risk factor is weight. If your tyres aren’t inflated properly, your car can't carry as much weight as before. It also makes it more dangerous to drive over potholes, or in adverse weather conditions, like flooding."

Tyre checks are easy to do, even for the layman. Your manufacturer's handbook should provide a recommended measurement for your tyre known as psi or bar. A car loses two psi of air per month, more in warmer weather. (The number provided on your tyre only indicates the maximum amount of air your tyre will hold.) You can test the psi of your car tyres with a simple gauge, or ask your local garage to do it for you.

"Over-inflated tyres are equally dangerous, because they wear unevenly and ride harshly. Some manufacturers recommend inflating tyres unevenly for the front and back wheels, so take note of that."

                                                                        Image: iStock

Many modern cars have a tyre-pressure monitoring system, but you still have to perform manual checks as these lights only come up when the tyre is down 25-35% of recommended pressure.

"It's important to also pay attention to your tyres' "wear bars. You will spot these when your tyre tread is worn, which can cause you to lose your grip. Make a habit of checking your tyres every time you pull into a service station. It could save your life and relieve pressure on your wallet," says Osborne.

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