Checking tire pressure is a simple and free gesture in garages that helps you save money in the face of rising diesel and gasoline prices.
Driving with tires below the recommended pressure can increase fuel consumption by up to 7%, warns the Euromaster, a specialist in comprehensive vehicle maintenance, based on data from Michelin.
A simple gesture such as checking the tire pressure has become a way of saving money in the face of the increase in the price of diesel, which has risen by almost 20% in two weeks, already with state support, and petrol, which has risen by around 10%.
This increase in consumption occurs because a tire with less than adequate pressure generates greater rolling resistance. In these situations, the engine needs more energy to move the vehicle, which translates into higher fuel consumption. In practical terms, keeping tires underinflated can represent an additional cost over the course of a year equivalent to a full tank of fuel in a mid-range car, with a capacity of approximately 45 liters.
In addition, regular driving with low pressure reduces the useful life of the tire, as it causes premature wear at the edges. On the other hand, an overinflated tire reduces the contact surface with the road surface, which can also lead to premature and uneven wear, in this case in the central area of the tire.
In addition to savings, safety is at stake
In addition to the economic impact, incorrect tire pressure also has direct consequences for road safety. Specifically, driving with around 10% less pressure can increase the braking distance by between two and three meters on dry roads. This difference becomes even more significant in the wet.
In these situations, a pressure up to one bar lower than that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer can increase the distance needed to immobilize the car by up to 11 meters.
Euromaster also points out that tires naturally lose pressure over time - about 0.07 bars per month - so it is essential to carry out regular checks.
In addition to pressure, experts also recommend checking the tread depth of the tire. Although the law allows for a minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters, Euromaster recommends a tread depth of at least 2.5 millimeters to ensure proper water evacuation and improve grip when driving in the wet.
For all these reasons, Euromaster recommends checking tire pressure regularly, both for economic and safety reasons. The recommendation is to carry out this check at least once a month, preferably at a technical center or specialized workshop, where the service is free and the pressure gauges used are regularly checked and certified, guaranteeing accurate measurements.