Test: You drive much more economically with the correct tire pressure

Have you ever cycled on tires that were too soft? That’s really hard pedaling and it takes more effort and energy. A car that drives on tires that are too soft also consumes more, even if you don’t immediately notice it. Test drives on tires that are too soft show that every bimonthly tire check can yield a tenner per time. Apart from less wear, shorter braking distance and better road holding.

Too low tire pressure causes:

• Higher fuel consumption
• More CO2 emissions
• Longer braking distance
• Worse handling
• Higher wear
• Greater chance of a blowout

Be honest: when was the last time you checked your car’s tire pressure? That could have been a year or more ago and in that time some air has already disappeared. A tire is never completely 100 percent airtight and as the outside temperature drops, the tire pressure also decreases. This is often not immediately visible on the tire itself or felt while driving. A regular tire check is therefore very important, but it quickly escapes your attention. The result is that more than half of the fleet runs on tires that are too soft.

But a light goes on, right?

Fortunately, from November 1, 2014, all new cars are equipped with an automatic tire pressure measuring system, the so-called TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). Some luxury cars older than 2014 may also already have TPMS. It continuously monitors the tire pressure and if it is too low, an orange or yellow light goes on on the dashboard
to burn. TPMS is useful, but it usually only warns when the tire pressure is already dangerously low. It is therefore important not to let it get to that point and to check the tire pressure earlier. With some TPMS systems you can read the tire pressure per tire via the options in the menu in your dashboard. Unfortunately, this is not possible with other TPMS systems and you will have to measure the tire yourself or have it done by your garage or tire specialist.

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From 2014 onwards, all new cars are equipped with TPMS that provides a message if the tire pressure is (much) too low.

The ultimate test

And now a test drive. We drive this with a hybrid, via the N305 and N302 from Almere to Harderwijk and back, as much as possible at the same speed, on cruise control. The total distance is approximately 61.9 kilometers.

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The first return trip with the correct tire pressure of 2.3 bar, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, yields a decent fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100 km, according to the on-board computer. For the comparison ride with softer tires, we reduce the tire pressure by 1.0 bar. As a result, a warning appears on the dashboard and the system reports a flat tire.

Softer tires, higher consumption, more wear

For the second time we drive from Almere under the A6 to Harderwijk, where we merge again at the Elburg exit via two roundabouts and head to the starting point. The on-board computer showed higher consumption soon after departure.

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We finally park the hybrid test car after just 62 kilometers, now with an average consumption of 5.1 l/100 km, about 4% higher consumption than with the correct tire pressure. Not measured during this test is the higher wear due to low tire pressure and the increased braking distance and poorer grip.

Together we can save a lot

The fact that the tires are far too soft is barely visible to the naked eye and virtually unnoticeable while driving, at most when turning in at low speed. That 0.2 liter per hundred kilometers of extra consumption may not seem like much, but with a fuel price of €2.10 per liter and a mileage of 15,000 km, you can save around €63 annually with a regular tire check. So in this case, checking six times a year yields an average of ten euros each time, which is easily earned! But even more important is to look at the big picture. Because if all motorists drive with the correct tire pressure, CO2 emissions per year will be as much as 0.2 megaton less. And that difference starts with you.

Youth has the future: participate in the Kids Week tire check!

In the summer of 2022, Kidsweek organized a fun competition. In collaboration with the campaign ‘Do the tire check before departure’ and the special website lekkeropweg.nu of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Kidsweek called on children to check the tire pressure together with their parents and capture this in a photo in a fun and creative way. to lay. There were great prizes to be won. Kidsweek will be taking up this campaign again this fall. read here more about this unique promotion.

Tire pressure tips

• Check the tire pressure every two months. Tip: set a reminder in your phone
• Then immediately look at the profile depth (minimum 1.6 mm)
• On the road with a fully loaded car? Increase the tire pressure
• The correct tire pressure is stated in the car’s instruction booklet and often also on a sticker on the door pillar on the driver’s side or on the inside of the fuel filler flap and can be found at www.watismijnbandenspanning.nl
• A little more voltage is allowed, according to TNO 10 percent on top of the recommended voltage is fine and more economical
• Don’t forget to check the pressure of the spare tire every now and then, if it has one
• For lower consumption when purchasing new tires, choose tires with an A fuel efficiency score on the tire label
• Would you like to know where a tire pump is located near you? www.vindbandenpomp.nl

Look here for more information and all kinds of educational videos about tires and tire pressure.