Dev Naidoo
South African motorists felt the impact of the April fuel price increase immediately, with petrol rising by more than R3 per litre, according to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. In the days since, many drivers have been looking for ways to stretch every litre a little further, adjusting daily habits where they can.
While much of the focus has been on external factors such as global oil prices and the rand, vehicle condition remains one of the more practical ways motorists can manage fuel efficiency in the short term.
The Automobile Association of South Africa has previously indicated that a poorly maintained vehicle can use between 10% and 20% more fuel than one that is properly maintained. In the current environment, that gap is becoming harder to ignore.
Vehicle maintenance and tyres are likely to be one of the biggest factors influencing how far a tank of fuel goes for many South Africans over the coming months. It is also one of the areas motorists pay the least attention to.
At fitment centres, it is common to see vehicles where small issues such as incorrect tyre pressure or poor alignment have gone unnoticed for some time. These are not always urgent enough to stop a journey, however, they do affect how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel.
Here are 5 ways your tyres could be increasing fuel consumption:
- Tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%
Tyres play a bigger role in fuel efficiency than many motorists realise. It is not uncommon for vehicles to arrive with tyre pressure below the recommended level, often because drivers rely on visual checks rather than accurate measurements.
Lower pressure increases the surface area of the tyre in contact with the road. This added resistance forces the engine to work harder, particularly in traffic or on longer commutes.
A simple pressure check, adjusted to the manufacturer’s specification, can significantly improve efficiency.
- Wheel alignment often goes unchecked for too long
Wheel alignment issues tend to develop gradually, making them easy to overlook. A slight pull on the steering or uneven tyre wear may not be immediately noticeable, but the impact on fuel consumption is more consistent.
When wheels are misaligned, they do not move in the intended direction, creating drag. This added resistance increases fuel usage over time.
In many cases, misalignment is caused by everyday driving conditions rather than a single incident. Addressing it early helps prevent unnecessary fuel loss.
- Worn tyres and tread depth are often left too late
Tyre wear is often only addressed once it becomes visibly concerning.
At fitment centres, tyres are frequently replaced close to the legal limit, by which point performance has already declined. As tread depth reduces, the tyre’s ability to maintain consistent contact with the road is compromised.
If wear is uneven, often due to poor alignment or incorrect pressure, the tyre does not roll smoothly, increasing resistance and fuel demand.
Although the legal tread limit is 1.6mm, tyres begin losing effectiveness well before that. Replacing tyres at the right time helps maintain performance and fuel efficiency.
- Maintenance is often delayed until it cannot be avoided
Delaying maintenance is a common response during periods of rising costs. Vehicles often come in once a problem becomes noticeable, whether it is worn tyres, reduced braking performance or changes in handling. By then, the vehicle may have been operating inefficiently for some time.
Regular checks on tyres, brakes and alignment help maintain performance and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
- Extra weight adds up over time
Vehicle weight is often overlooked when considering fuel efficiency. Many cars carry unnecessary items in the boot or on roof racks.
While individual items may seem insignificant, the combined weight increases the load on the vehicle, requiring more effort from the engine—especially over longer distances or daily commutes.
Removing unnecessary weight and using accessories only when needed can help improve efficiency over time.
A more practical way to manage fuel costs
Fuel prices remain outside of a motorist’s control, but vehicle efficiency does not.
What has become clear in recent months is that small, practical adjustments can have a meaningful impact on day-to-day driving costs.
At fitment centres, simple interventions such as correcting tyre pressure or addressing alignment issues are often enough to improve overall vehicle performance.
For motorists looking to manage fuel spend, the starting point is not necessarily driving less, but ensuring their vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible. In many cases, that begins with the tyres.
Dev Naidoo, Supa Quick Fleet Manager and Tyre Expert; He writes in his personal capacity.
SUPPLIED.
Dev Naidoo
South African motorists felt the impact of the April fuel price increase immediately, with petrol rising by more than R3 per litre, according to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. In the days since, many drivers have been looking for ways to stretch every litre a little further, adjusting daily habits where they can.
While much of the focus has been on external factors such as global oil prices and the rand, vehicle condition remains one of the more practical ways motorists can manage fuel efficiency in the short term.
The Automobile Association of South Africa has previously indicated that a poorly maintained vehicle can use between 10% and 20% more fuel than one that is properly maintained. In the current environment, that gap is becoming harder to ignore.
Vehicle maintenance and tyres are likely to be one of the biggest factors influencing how far a tank of fuel goes for many South Africans over the coming months. It is also one of the areas motorists pay the least attention to.
At fitment centres, it is common to see vehicles where small issues such as incorrect tyre pressure or poor alignment have gone unnoticed for some time. These are not always urgent enough to stop a journey, however, they do affect how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel.
Here are 5 ways your tyres could be increasing fuel consumption:
- Tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%
Tyres play a bigger role in fuel efficiency than many motorists realise. It is not uncommon for vehicles to arrive with tyre pressure below the recommended level, often because drivers rely on visual checks rather than accurate measurements.
Lower pressure increases the surface area of the tyre in contact with the road. This added resistance forces the engine to work harder, particularly in traffic or on longer commutes.
A simple pressure check, adjusted to the manufacturer’s specification, can significantly improve efficiency.
- Wheel alignment often goes unchecked for too long
Wheel alignment issues tend to develop gradually, making them easy to overlook. A slight pull on the steering or uneven tyre wear may not be immediately noticeable, but the impact on fuel consumption is more consistent.
When wheels are misaligned, they do not move in the intended direction, creating drag. This added resistance increases fuel usage over time.
In many cases, misalignment is caused by everyday driving conditions rather than a single incident. Addressing it early helps prevent unnecessary fuel loss.
- Worn tyres and tread depth are often left too late
Tyre wear is often only addressed once it becomes visibly concerning.
At fitment centres, tyres are frequently replaced close to the legal limit, by which point performance has already declined. As tread depth reduces, the tyre’s ability to maintain consistent contact with the road is compromised.
If wear is uneven, often due to poor alignment or incorrect pressure, the tyre does not roll smoothly, increasing resistance and fuel demand.
Although the legal tread limit is 1.6mm, tyres begin losing effectiveness well before that. Replacing tyres at the right time helps maintain performance and fuel efficiency.
- Maintenance is often delayed until it cannot be avoided
Delaying maintenance is a common response during periods of rising costs. Vehicles often come in once a problem becomes noticeable, whether it is worn tyres, reduced braking performance or changes in handling. By then, the vehicle may have been operating inefficiently for some time.
Regular checks on tyres, brakes and alignment help maintain performance and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
- Extra weight adds up over time
Vehicle weight is often overlooked when considering fuel efficiency. Many cars carry unnecessary items in the boot or on roof racks.
While individual items may seem insignificant, the combined weight increases the load on the vehicle, requiring more effort from the engine—especially over longer distances or daily commutes.
Removing unnecessary weight and using accessories only when needed can help improve efficiency over time.
A more practical way to manage fuel costs
Fuel prices remain outside of a motorist’s control, but vehicle efficiency does not.
What has become clear in recent months is that small, practical adjustments can have a meaningful impact on day-to-day driving costs.
At fitment centres, simple interventions such as correcting tyre pressure or addressing alignment issues are often enough to improve overall vehicle performance.
For motorists looking to manage fuel spend, the starting point is not necessarily driving less, but ensuring their vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible. In many cases, that begins with the tyres.
Dev Naidoo, Supa Quick Fleet Manager and Tyre Expert; He writes in his personal capacity.
SUPPLIED.
