Mitigating the impact of rising fuel costs

vehicles in a fleet,” says Meyer.

Underinflated tyres, for instance, increases rolling resistance, which can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%. This will mean that the engine on a truck running on underinflated tyres will have to work harder and use more fuel for its journey to overcome the extra friction with the road caused by the underinflated tyres.

The correct tyre pressure for a truck can be determined based on the load per axle. Checking regularly that all the tyres are properly inflated can help to reduce running costs.

Adopting a regular tyre maintenance regimen is important for ensuring maximum fuel efficiency. Inspecting the tyre treads and side walls can help you spot signs of wear, as well as imbedded objects, that cause a loss of pressure.

Such maintenance can prolong the lifespan of the tyres, and improve the tyre’s cost per kilometre (CPK) and the return on investment (ROI) of the vehicle. This is especially important for transporters as tyres make up a significant portion of running costs.