[Drivingforfun]

I'm sure it's been thought up before, but...

I wonder how many people of those who don't check their tyre pressures are due to not wanting to pay? It's often £1 or £2 - easily recoupable within a single tank of fuel but it's not insignificant pennies. Most are unlikely to realise and just see it as another annoying expense so drive past.

What if tyre pressure machines were free to the user, the manufacturer/garage gets paid by the government...fund it by combining it with, say, a 1p increase to fuel duty (which from the driver's PoV would be cancelled out by the fuel savings anyway)

If the stats are to believed a huge swathe of drivers - not a minority - are driving around with incorrect pressures and the fuel cost isn't insignificant - easily a few quid per tank and that's not even in extreme cases

[Rolebama]

Tyre pressures, unless very low to the point you can feel it, make a negligible difference to fuel consumption. As to free air, it used to be when just about every petrol station had a workshop included, with a compressor running. Now, like too many motoring costs it is just a racket.

Not too long ago there was a survey for drivers which consisted of three questions. One relevant to tyre pressures where it was discovered that too high a number had no idea what their pressures were supposed to be. They left it to their workshops at service time.

[TC1474]

@Drivingforfun

Tyre pressure gauges used to be free at many fuel stations, but the cost of keeping them calibrated and in a decent state of repair cost them a fortune.

Also bear in mind that tyre pressures should be measured when the tyres are cold, so using a public tyre machines so pressures are often inaccurate even if you check them on a regular basis.

You are right that tyre pressures can have a bearing on economy, but it plays a very small part in the overall emission's situation, just keeping your car (or bike) in a good state of repair and well serviced makes a far bigger contribution.

That aside, I purchased a mobile tyre pressure pump identical to the one below for under £10 from Temu. Brilliant bit of kit, I can check whilst before setting off anywhere and top up the pressures if required without the need for a compressor or air supply. There are more expensive ones you can get, but this simple bit of kit has been worth every penny and charges simply using a USB and 3 pin plug and I can check up to 8 tyres in one hit, so I can do both our cars at once.

[Drivingforfun]

Thanks both!

I saw tyre pumps in Halfords for 30-40 pounds and kept meaning to get one, my dad has gotten into Temu recently (definitely lots of good cheap stuff on there) so I'll get him to order me one 😁

[Beelzebub]

You can invest in your own pressure gauge. Even the cheap ones (two for £3.99 on Amazon!) are probably more accurate than a filling station one, which will have been subject to all manner of abuse, plus the weather.

[olduser]

Tyre manufacturers suggest 10 PSI low = 2- 3% fuel increase but the tyres effective grip drops, as centre of tread will not be doing it's share. The outer edges will be taking most of the load, tyre walls will bulge out exposing them to damage from rocks, curbs, and potholes, damage on the side walls cannot be repaired.

Foot pumps are OK, they give you some exercise but electric (12V) pumps are compact and can live in the boot, I prefer one that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket rather than a battery (rechargeable) type. Gauges on pumps are not usually reliable but the simple pressure gauges (pencil type) are cheap and reliable.

And of course, it easy to have cold tyres when checking at home.

Don't forget the spare, if you have one.