What are the benefits of correct tyre pressure?
Improved Vehicle Safety
Under-inflation is the most common cause of tyre failures and may result in a “blow out”, with unexpected loss of vehicle control possibly leading to an accident. Source: Dunlop tyres care & proper inflation
Better Fuel Economy
Under-inflated tyres create more friction with the road surface, which can also increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. To put this in context, if you spend $70 per tank per week this equates to a $7.00 weekly saving and $364 per year. Source: NRMA fuel saving strategies February 2006
Extended Tyre Life
It may not be possible to look at a tyre and actually see under-inflation of 5 psi. However, under-inflation of 5 psi can reduce a tyre’s tread life by 25%. A typical tyre may also lose 1 to 2 psi a month, if not checked and adjusted. Source: Dunlop tyres care & proper inflation
Improve Braking Capacity, Cornering & Vehicle Handling
Properly inflated tyres improve the steering, stopping and traction of your vehicle. Recent studies suggest under inflated tyres can increase stopping distance by close to 8 meters, which could in many cases be the difference between missing and hitting something on the road.
Environmental
Ensuring your tyres are pumped to the recommended level will save up to 100 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year - Department of the Environment
Recently introduced tyre pressure monitoring legislation
The USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – (NHTSA) estimates that 49 of 79 deaths and 6,585 to 10,635 injuries could be prevented annually if all vehicles were equipped with tyre pressure monitoring systems.
Following the Tread Act of 2005, NHTSA stipulated that from 2008, all newly manufactured or imported US cars (including all passenger vehicles and light trucks) will be fitted with TPMS.
Similarly in March 2009, the European Union approved legislation measures imposing mandatory adoption of Tyre Pressure monitoring Systems, with an implementation period of two years, starting November 2012.