Merityre Article Archive

As the credit crunch takes hold and we are all finding less money in our pockets it’s a good time to look for ways to save money. From checking your car tyres to finding the cheapest parking spots, motoring costs can be reduced in numerous ways. Here are ten suggestions to follow:

1. Don’t use your car for short trips
An obvious point to start with but probably the simplest way to save money. Even if it’s a chilly morning, put a thick coat on and walk to the newsagents at the end of your road. A cold car engine uses far more fuel travelling short distances than it does on a long journey.

2. Research before buying car insurance
Rather than just renewing your old policy shop around to see what money you can save. Price comparison websites make this very easy to do and you will be amazed how much the quotes can vary.

3. Drive with care
Sudden acceleration and sharp braking will increase fuel consumption. The wear to your car tyres will also be increased, hastening the time when they need to be replaced.

4. Switch off the air conditioning
Use air conditioning only when really necessary. It can increase fuel consumption by 11%.

5. Use higher gears
Fuel economy can be improved by up to 20% if you are driving in fifth rather than third. Be careful not to accelerate too quickly into fifth as this will ruin all the benefit of driving in this gear.

6. Close windows and remove roof rack
If you are reading this article in winter, keeping your windows closed will not be an issue. But you may have left a roof rack on after a weekend away. This needs to be removed. Open windows and items such as roof racks adversely affect the aerodynamics of a car, increasing fuel consumption.

7. Plan journey before setting out
Extra journey miles, increased fuel consumption and driver frustration are all a result of not knowing the best route to your destination before setting out on a journey.

If you are planning a long trip try to use the motorways; there will be less stopping and starting which will improve the car’s fuel economy and reduce wear on your car tyres.

Always plan the shortest route. It may not be the most scenic but it will be the most cost effective.

8. Keep to the speed limit
It has been proven that driving at the speed limit significantly reduces fuel consumption, especially on the motorways. The difference between 70mph and 80mph is considerable. In some cars it can be up to 5 miles per gallon.

9. Car sharing
Consider sharing a car on your commute to work or if travelling to an out of town retail park. Not only will this reduce your motoring costs, it’s also a lot more fun having someone to chat to.

10. Check car tyre pressures
By spending an extra 5 minutes at the petrol station checking your car tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, fuel economy can be improved by 10%.

Soft car tyres increase the rolling resistance on the road, making the car engine work harder and using more fuel. If one car tyre is a different pressure to the rest then there is an imbalance which will also increase fuel consumption.

By maintaining correct car tyre pressures money can be save in other ways including:

a) Increasing the life of the car tyres; under-inflated tyres wear out faster.
b) Improving a car’s performance, especially braking and road handling.
c) Avoiding a fine of up to £2,500 if you are caught with unroadworthy car tyres.

Article Resource
Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit the website to join their discount club and receive a fabulous 5% extra discount off future purchases from their massive range of top brand car tyres, alloy wheels, batteries and exhausts.

If you are looking for ways to save money on motoring costs then some simple adjustments to your driving style can really help the budget.

It is not just fuel consumption that your driving style has an impact on. The rate of tyre wear can be directly linked to the way your car is driven. Ask a boy racer who favours fast driving and spinning tyres how often he has to replace his car tyres compared to a more sedate driver. One thing is for sure- the boy racer will have less money in his pocket because of his higher motoring costs.

This article highlights five ways to change your driving habits and reduce car tyre wear:

1. Careful cornering

Aggressive cornering will cause extra wear on your car tyres. If you corner harder one way than you do the other way, then expect to get uneven wear on your car tyres. It also puts unnecessary stress on key components of your car’s steering and suspension mechanism, helping to wear them out faster too.

2. Gradual acceleration

Accelerating hard from a standing start will put extra wear on your car tyres, especially the front tyres, which wear out faster than the back ones in any case. It also puts strain on your car’s drive shaft and gearbox, as well as several other components. All of these parts are expensive to replace.

3. Keep to the speed limits

Driving regularly at high speed will help to wear out your car tyres faster than if you travel at a more reasonable speed. At high speeds the temperature of tyres increases. This wears out car tyres faster.

4. Avoid hard braking

Braking hard places the entire load onto the front tyres, which helps to accelerate wear. It also wears out brake pads faster and puts all kinds of stresses on the whole car. Of course you will need to brake hard in an emergency; that’s what the brakes are for, but remember to go easy when you don’t have to.

5. Maintain recommended car tyre pressures

A car tyre that is inflated below its recommended pressure will wear faster because of its higher operating temperature and the extra flexing of the rubber. Over inflation can also increase wear due to the decreased size of the contact area between the tyre and the road.

Driving with unequal pressures in your car tyres will lead to increased wear. It can be potentially dangerous as the balance of the car is upset and cornering with unevenly pressurised tyres can lead to unpredictable results.

These days replacing car tyres has become less expensive as there is a greater selection of budget tyres available for most vehicle types and driving styles. But at this time of high petrol costs and with the financial pressures of a poor economy any saving, however small it may be, is a bonus.

Consult a car tyre specialist. They will be able to inspect your tyre to ensure their road worthiness and also provide advice on how to adjust your driving style based on the wear of your current car tyres.

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Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit their website for free vouchers, including 10% off your next MOT, free wheel alignment check and free locking wheel nuts.