Pump tyres, save fuel and be safer on the road this long weekend

As motorists hit the road for the long weekend, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is encouraging them to save fuel and be safer on the road by checking their tyres when they fill up with petrol.

EECA General Manager Transport Liz Yeaman says checking a car’s tyre pressure when filling up with petrol is the easiest way for motorists to save fuel and improve the safety of their car on the road.

“Our research shows that fewer than half of New Zealand motorists check their tyres regularly and only half know the correct tyre pressure for their car. Driving on underinflated tyres is like trying to ride a bike with a flat tyre – it takes a lot more energy – and means your car consumes around 4% more petrol (8 cents per litre).”

“Before the long weekend it’s also a good idea to check tyre tread to make sure the journey is as safe as possible,” says Liz Yeaman.

An easy way to check tread depth is to insert a 20c coin into one of the tyre grooves near the middle of the tyre. The base of the number 20 is approximately 2mm from the edge of the coin, so if you can see the whole of the number, it’s time to think about replacing the tyres.

“If you need new tyres, ask for ENERGYWISE approved ones – they must meet minimum criteria for both fuel efficiency and braking in the wet, which means they will save money and perform when safety really counts.”

“The difference between a good set of tyres and a bad one can be up to 7% of fuel – equivalent to 15 cents per litre – and up to 18 metres of road when braking in the wet,” says Liz Yeaman.

Motorists can find the correct tyre pressure for their car at http://www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/tyre-pressure/
and find the ENERGYWISE approved tyres available for their car at
http://www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/fuel-efficient-tyres

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