Efficient tyres, save 90 euros fuel per year

Choosing the right quality footwear for the vehicle helps to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption

Tires are the only part of the vehicle that is in permanent contact with the road surface, so choosing tires with good grip is the basis for good vehicle behavior on the road and to save fuel. The band is
responsible for 21% of vehicle consumption; therefore, the choice not only increases safety, but also service life and duration, something that returns directly to the consumer’s wallet.

The most direct impact comes from differences in rolling resistance, which refers to the energy lost when the tire is in motion. The lower the rolling resistance, the less energy is lost and
less fuel is needed. Likewise, greater efficiency in fuel consumption has a positive effect on the CO2 footprint generated by the driver and therefore leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

This is how it is defined on the tire label, which provides useful information about the durability and energy efficiency of the chosen model. these stickers
reflect three parameters:. The first is fuel consumption, or rather energy efficiency or rolling resistance. The lower the rolling resistance, the lower the fuel consumption and therefore the higher the efficiency. Second, it qualifies grip on a wet road. A tire with a good rating in this category will significantly shorten the braking distance in the rain. Finally, the noise level. The stiffness of the covers determines the number of decibels they generate when spinning, so their rating is important to reduce noise pollution.

“Rolling resistance has a major impact on fuel consumption. With a set of Class A tires at the right pressure, you can save up to half a liter of fuel per 100 kilometers compared to underperforming tires.”
Matty Morris, Director of Technical Service of Nokian Tires Customer Service. A statement confirmed by Hugo Ureta, director of institutional relations at Michelin. «In a tourism with a thermal engine, one in five of a full tank is the consumption caused by the tyres. That is why it is essential to choose a tire with low rolling resistance,” he emphasizes. “It should be remembered that between a tire with an A rating and a tire with an E, the total consumption of the vehicle can vary by 0.4 litres/100 km, which means, over the entire life of the tires – about 45,000 km –, a fuel saving of 168 liters, or 421 kg of CO2 that is no longer emitted into the atmosphere,” he adds.

Using this reference, and taking as an example a car with an average consumption of 5 l/100 km, to make a journey from Madrid to Barcelona, ​​whose journey is 621 kilometers, if the vehicle mounts tires that qualified with the letter A in energy efficiency, consumes 30 liters; while if the route is made with a tire with the letter E, it will consume 32.4 liters. This means a saving of 2.4 liters more with a compound A than with an E. Given this, and at the current price of petrol of 1.73 euros per liter on average and diesel of 1.89, the total saving is between 4 and 5 euros each way.

A figure that, with an average of 12,000 kilometers per year – depending of course on parameters such as driving style, majority use in the city, on the highway or motorway, vehicle load, tire pressure… – makes a difference in Consumption can be up to 50 liters per year, which on average 1.80 euros/litre fuel means between 83 and 90 euros per year.

Also remember that during the life of a tire, which is around 45,000 km, the saving will be around 300 euros, a difference between obtaining a European A label, the highest quality level, and category E, the worse. Also note that in a one hundred percent electric vehicle, the rolling resistance of the tires is responsible for 30% of the energy consumption, or what is the same, an increase in the autonomy of the batteries. The same goes for brakes. A car traveling at 80 km/h needs 38 meters to stop if it has tires labeled A; but if they are qualified with the letter F, according to CEA (European Automobile Commission) the vehicle needs 56 meters to stop. Eighteen meters of difference is essential to avoid an accident or reduce its severity.

When an A-rated tire is purchased and it is not properly maintained, performance will suffer and it will appear as if it is being ridden on grade F or worse rubber. Wear, although it may appear to be the result of running and mileage, also depends on the driver’s driving habits, proper tire use and proper maintenance.

For example, you should check tire pressure, avoid overloading the vehicle, accelerate and brake abruptly, avoid driving on sidewalks and curbs, and on unpaved roads. The General Manager of Afane (Spanish Tire Manufacturers Association),
Jose Luis Rodriguez, points out that «to save petrol, it is preferable to use the air conditioning to lower the windows when you are hot. Drive in top gear at low revs. Also take advantage of the descents to save on consumption, and on the climbs, delay the gear reduction as much as possible, slightly increasing the pressure on the accelerator pedal.

Experts recommend using winter tires if a vehicle travels through areas where the temperature drops below 7 degrees in winter. But if changing tires according to the season is not feasible, there are also all-season tires that are used for the warm months and make the use of chains in winter unnecessary.

There are specific tires for electric cars. But the load index should be consulted to make sure they can support the weight of this type of vehicle. They need extra strong tires with reinforced sidewalls. And the weight affects the braking distance, so the grip should be greater. You should also choose a low-friction one, because rolling resistance in electric cars becomes more important; and low noise corresponds to the level of smooth and quiet driving.

Driving with tires in bad condition or worn condition will result in a fine of 200 euros. Placing another model on the same axle, 150. An incorrect homologation of the tires is subject to a fine of 90 to 120 euros.

Check that the condition and wear of the drawing does not fall below the established legal limit of 1.6 mm. Check the pressure and if the tires (including the spare wheel) have been manufactured for more than 10 years, they should be checked by a specialist and replaced if necessary.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.