Google searches in the UK for “fuel prices” reached 116K searches over the past month, whilst searches for “cheap petrol” also increased by 48%.
As the cost of fuel is clearly still a concern for most drivers, and as we approach the festive season, one key maintenance issue affected by cold winter weather that could end up costing UK drivers an extra £330 million if ignored.
Underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%
As temperatures drop across the UK, drivers could be facing a hidden fuel cost: underinflated tyres. Even a small drop in tyre pressure can increase fuel consumption by around 3%, translating into extra pounds spent at the pump over the winter months.
As temperatures drop, the air inside your tyres contracts. In fact, for every 10°C drop, tyre pressure typically falls by about 1–2 psi.
Underinflated tyres increase fuel consumption mostly due to the increased rolling resistance. When tyres are underinflated, they flatten slightly, increasing the contact area with the road and causing more deformation as the car moves. This extra bending creates more friction, so the engine has to work harder to maintain speed, reducing miles per gallon.
In addition to higher fuel use, underinflated tyres can reduce handling efficiency, making cars feel sluggish when accelerating or turning. Drivers often compensate by pressing harder on the throttle, further increasing fuel consumption. The extra bending also causes tyres to heat up and wear out faster, creating a cycle of inefficiency.
How underinflated tyres could cost Brits an extra £528 million this winter
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, explains: “Using current fuel prices of £1.35 per litre for petrol and £1.43 per litre for diesel, an average petrol car travelling 630 miles per month over four months could burn an extra 8.6 litres of fuel, costing around £11.60. Diesel drivers covering the same distance would use around 6.9 litres more, adding roughly £9.80 to their bills.
“Individually, these amounts may not seem significant, but when scaled across the UK’s 19.3 million petrol and 11 million diesel vehicles, the collective extra cost reaches a staggering £332.6 million.
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“This shows how much money and fuel could be wasted due to underinflated tyres – an extra cost that is entirely preventable with regular tyre checks.
“Motorists are urged to check their tyre pressures at least once a month and before long journeys. Keeping tyres properly inflated not only saves fuel and money but also improves safety and reduces tyre wear.
“With winter approaching, a simple tyre check could help UK drivers save hundreds of millions collectively.”
