As South Africans get set for increased travel over Easter - tyre manufacturer Goodyear has issued a reminder that correctly inflated tyres can save significantly at the pump and even more.  It also promotes safety, even tyre wear, enhances ride comfort and it maximises fuel economy.

Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Public Relations Manager said running a tyre just 20 per cent under-inflated could increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 per cent.

“An under-inflated tyre uses more energy, increasing rolling resistance and robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency. At today’s fuel prices, and especially during this holiday season when people generally travel a lot further, 10 per cent is a considerable and unnecessary expense that could be saved by a little more fresh air!

“As well as being heavy on your pocket, running under-inflated tyres also reduces their tread life which means they will need to be replaced sooner than should be necessary. Plus it can be dangerous – studies show that up to 87 per cent of all flat tyres have a history of under-inflation,” Hayward said.

Statistics also reveal that one in every three cars has at least one under-inflated tyre and, while nearly seven in ten drivers say they wash their vehicles every month, barely more than half check tyre pressure in that period. The majority of drivers (71%) forget to check the pressure in their spare tyre at all.

Get Free Vehicle Safety Check Countrywide

According to Goodyear, motorists should have their vehicles and tyres inspected at professional tyre and service outlets. Hi-Q, which has an extensive national footprint in both big cities and small towns, offers a free 10-point safety check on vehicles.  This entails checking all four tyres plus the spare for tread depth and pressure, the front and rear shock absorbers, the brake pads, discs and fluid, as well as the battery, exhaust and wiper blades.  Should any of the vehicle checks highlight a warning or faulty part, the technician will recommend the correct course of action.

“Remember speed kills, but unsafe tyres kill too,” said Andrew Bowren, Hi-Q General Manager.