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Fleet tyres – who is responsible and what do you need to know?
It’s estimated that more than a third of cars on the UK’s roads are driving on tyres which are dangerously under-inflated, and with more than a million new cars being registered each year by fleets and businesses in the UK, that’s a worrying thought.
So if you care about your fleet, your business and your staff, you need to know why tyre pressures matter. Correct tyre pressures play a critical role in maximising fuel efficiency, and with fuel prices at record levels, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your fleet’s tyres are set to the correct levels.
Fleet tyres and inflation – how to save money and stay safe
When tyres are under-inflated, their rolling resistance increases, and they need more energy to make them turn. This additional demand means fuel consumption, and ultimately the car’s running costs increase.
Driving on tyres that are just 20% under-inflated can reduce fuel economy by around 3%, adding unnecessary extra cost to your business. If your fleets cover a lot of miles, that’s a lot of wasted money.
Here’s an example of how correct tyre pressures can save you money. By looking at this car’s fuel consumption figures and estimated annual mileage, we can calculate its approximate fuel cost per year.
If its tyres are under-inflated by as little as 6 psi or around 20%, its fuel costs will go up by at least 3%. That might not seem much for one car, but if your fleet contains 100 cars, that’s a significant amount.
Perhaps more important than fuel cost, under-inflated tyres can also significantly reduce driver safety. This course represents a country road, with an obstacle in the middle of the road. Our car, with correctly inflated tyres, reacts and easily avoids the danger.
The car’s tyre pressures are then reduced by just 6 psi, a typical level of under -inflation found on many fleet vehicles. When the test is repeated, it’s clear to see how the reduction in tyre pressure leads to lower levels of grip, handling and control.
In a real -life situation, this could have caused severe injury or even death. So remember, low tyre pressures can cost your business both money and even lives. Make sure you have a robust tyre maintenance policy and help your drivers check their tyres at least once a month.
For more information, visit tyresafe .org.
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