Less than one in 10 UK motorists know the difference between standard tyres and EV tyres – and the money-saving benefits they offer.
The number of electric car owners on our roads stands at 477,000, but only a small percentage of them know the importance of fitting custom-made EV tyres to the wheels, according to Bridgestone’s YouGov commissioned research.
Of 2,000 motorists questioned,, 47% said they will be switching to an EV to save on high fuel costs, with 56% sold by the environmental benefits of driving an electric car.
However, the lack of knowledge on EV tyres could undermine any savings made with more trips for tyre replacements.
EVs are much heavier than conventional cars and the added weight is ultimately carried by the tyres. Without adaptation to compensate, non-EV tyres are much more likely to wear quicker and won’t last as long.
“What’s clear from our survey is that very few motorists are aware that there are tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles and even fewer know the benefits of them,” said Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti.
New figures from RAC Breakdown show only a fifth of UK drivers regularly check their vehicles are ready for long journeys, while a quarter admit to never doing so – dramatically increasing the risk of breaking down and incurring costly garage bills.
The findings, released on the inaugural National Check Your Car Day, come within days of schools breaking up for summer, and the RAC believes many holidays could be ruined by breakdowns.
With pump prices at record highs, the cost of every summer trip by road will be dearer than ever, so it’s vital drivers don’t make matters worse for themselves with an avoidable breakdown.
The RAC expects to attend in the region of 350,000 breakdowns between today and the end of August, with most of these being for problems related to tyres and batteries.
While some of these can’t be avoided, many of them can be, so long as preventative breakdown tips are followed.
Here’s the RAC’s helpful new FORCES acronym to remind drivers about checks, which should always be accrued out when your car is parked on level ground, switched off, and with a cold engine.
F is for FUEL: Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey. Cars use more fuel in heavy traffic and start/stop conditions typical of summer traffic jams. Don’t risk running out.
O is for OIL: To avoid overheating, engine damage and a potential breakdown, remember to check your oil level and top up when necessary.
R is for RUBBER: It sounds obvious, but your tyres are your car’s only connection with the road so it’s vital to look after them. Check them for signs of wear and damage and replace if necessary. If the tyres aren’t wearing evenly, then tyre pressures may be mismatched or there could be a fault with the steering. Then, check that all four tyres have at least 3mm of tread and are inflated to the correct pressures for whatever load your carrying (check your vehicle handbook for these) – this is vital to maintaining good grip, especially during summer downpours. Also take a look at your wiper blades to ensure they’re clearing the screen effectively and that the rubber has not perished.
C is for COOLANT: This does a vital job in ensuring the engine runs at the right temperature. If it’s not between the ‘min’ and ‘max’ levels, this could be the sign of a problem so contact a good garage without delay.
E is for ELECTRICS: If you have trouble starting your car, it might be time for a new battery so again, contact a garage or the RAC without delay. Your wipers will help keep your windscreen clear of bugs, and you’ll need your lights on during any heavy downpours. The electrics also control your indicators and windows, so check there are no problems.
S is for SCREENWASH: Top-up your windscreen washer fluid by using a good quality screenwash – this will keep your field of view clear of bugs.
“Our message to drivers is really clear – don’t let your well-earned break be ruined by a breakdown, and don’t make this year’s expensive summer even more costly by having to take your car to a garage,” said RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis.
Top tips from RAC patrols on avoiding a breakdown
Manchester-based patrol Ben Aldous said: “Put simply, a well-maintained car is much less likely to break down than one that hasn’t been looked after. So, if you have a big drive coming up and suspect something on your car’s not quite right then get it into a good garage as soon as you can this week.”
Kevin Andrews, who is works in the Bath area, advised: “Keep your locking wheel nut somewhere you can easily find it as this makes it quicker for us to do a tyre change if needed. Make sure that everything fixed to the outside of your car – bikes, roof boxes – are properly secured. If you’re travelling with a dog, again ensure it’s secure inside and has some food and water. And download and use the free MyRAC mobile app as it makes it much easier for us to find you.”
Stuart Lurc, who is based in Salisbury, added: “Check your tyres every time, especially the inside front edges. You can fully lock the steering one way or the other so you can see the condition of your front tyres easily. And whatever you do, don’t start a journey with a known problem!”
More than one in three drivers have cut down on car journeys since beginning of the year as the cost of living crisis begins to bite, according to new research.
A study for Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, reveals that 35% of drivers have cut down on car journeys they describe as “non-essential”.
Those driving petrol or diesel cars are twice as likely to have cut down on these journeys compared to drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrids (40% vs 22% respectively).
More than one in five drivers (21%) say they have consciously tried to drive more smoothly or less aggressively, with 14% say they have driven more slowly on all their journeys and 17% saying they have done so on some journeys.
In all, seven in 10 (69%) motorists have changed their behaviour since the beginning of 2022.
The Kwik Fit research also found that 17% of drivers of EVs or hybrids have swapped from a diesel or petrol car this year.
Some car owners have made an even more dramatic switch, with 4% saying they have sold their car this year and not replaced it.
The research findings highlight that the impact of rising costs is not uniform across different groups – drivers under 35 are a staggering eight times more likely to have sold their car and not replaced it than drivers over 55.
The increasing cost of motoring has prompted some drivers to take up good motoring maintenance habits with 10% saying they have started regularly checking their tyre pressures, while a slightly higher proportion (11%) have emptied their car boot of any heavy items and 3% of drivers have removed roof racks, bars or bike racks which they normally keep permanently on their car.
“We would encourage all motorists to make sure their car is running as efficiently as possible and to especially take the measures that cost nothing – ensure that their tyres are at the correct pressure and that the car is not suffering from unnecessary weight in the boot or drag on the roof,” said Roger Grigg of Kwik Fit.
“Seemingly small measures can have a big impact on fuel consumption and of course, having the correct tyre pressure will also help prolong the life of a tyre by reducing premature wear.”
Winter is well and truly on its way, and the more the weather becomes unpredictable, the more challenging or even dangerous driving becomes.
In fact, the highest percentage of severe car accidents happen between November and January, with drivers 20% more likely to be in an accident over the winter months.
And that’s if you even make it off the driveway, as your car is 18% less likely to start during the winter months.
However, winter driving doesn’t always have to be hazardous if you make sure you are prepared.
To help you get ready for winter, car finance experts Zuto have pulled together all the best tips and tricks to help you prepare your car for the worst of weather.
Check your tyres When working well, tyres help to prevent skidding and enable you to stop in an accident. As winter approaches, with both handling and stopping becoming more difficult, it is important to make sure your tyres are in good condition.
Although tyres only need a tread depth of 1.6mm, a 3mm depth is safer in winter. A quick and easy way to check this would be to use a 20p coin. When inserting it into the groove of your tyre, if you see the rim of the coin, you’ll need to get your tyres checked out at your local garage. Make sure to check this around the entire width of the tyre and at several points around the circumference.
It may also be worth investing in winter tyres if you live in an area particularly prone to ice or snow.
Refill your fluid As temperatures drop, both coolant and washer fluid can freeze, so you’ll need to keep them topped up with anti-freeze. Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze and you should make sure your winter washer fluid also contains antifreeze.
Check your battery Winter can be hard on your battery as a drop in temperature can cause your car battery to fail if it’s at the end of its shelf life. This is because the cold weather reduces the output of a battery, so it has to work harder to keep running.
If your battery has been reluctant to start in the summer and autumn months, it’s best to get it checked out by your local garage before it completely refuses to start on a cold morning when you’re running late for work.
Check your windscreen Windscreen chips often get worse in the winter months thanks to hail and ice. If your screen has any chips, it’s best to get them fixed or the windscreen replaced before they impair visibility. This is especially important with the upcoming frosty weather.
Get a winter service Although nothing can guarantee that your car won’t break down in the winter, getting a winter service and maintenance check can help to prevent problems associated with the cold weather. This often includes a lights assessment, an oil level replenishment, and windscreen wiper check to make sure that your car is ready for the winter weather. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Pack your winter car kit Having a winter survival kit can make all the difference if you happen to breakdown in the cold and dark months and you can never be too prepared. This should include key items such as jumper cables, mobile and battery pack, and a torch with fully charged batteries. As well as a blanket, a first aid kit and a supply of food with a bottle of water or flask.
“Many motorists dread the arrival of winter, and all the issues they may face with their vehicles,” says Lucy Sherliker, Head of Customer at Zuto.
“However, as long as you prepare your car properly now, take extra precautions in extreme weather conditions, and stock up on your anti-freeze, you’ll be able to take on the winter roads.”
In order to make your vehicle’s performance smooth for the coming season along with better fuel efficiency, you need to look out for a few car maintenance hacks. These maintenance hacks can also be done by you saving you from extra repairing trips to the garage. Hence before heading out to work in the busiest season you would require a few check ups on your car.
Have a look on Car Filters
Driving continually without having an internal check on it can cause the car to decrease it’s efficiency with time. Similarly the car filters like air and oil filter, may be clogged if you haven’t checked them for sometime. A helpful advice is to clean these filters once in a while before you plan to go on a long route so that you do not face any car problem in between your peaceful journey. You can clean the air filter yourself by taking it out of the engine easily and using a portable vacuum to remove clogged debris. You can also wash the filter with the help of liquid detergent and warm water.
Are the Wheels Aligned?
It is extremely important to see if your car wheels are properly aligned to avoid any car trouble while you are driving. You can get an idea if your wheel needs to be fixed for alignment by having a look on few signs like,
Tyres tread getting uneven
Steering wheels automatically leaned to either sides even if the vehicle tyres are parked in alignment
Vibration of steering while you are driving
Having your wheels aligned can also save you from losing control of your vehicle while you are driving that can result in uncontrollable road mishaps. Therefore, if you feel any of the above signs you should straight away take your vehicle to correct the alignment of your wheels. London has many professional wheel alignment centres and it is crucial that you don’t neglect this part of your car. You can also get wheel alignment service in London from Iverson Tyres.
Check your Tyres
Having a look at the health of your tyres every month is important in order to achieve a smooth drive. Tyres play as important a part in car performance as the engine. In order to make sure your tyres are roadworthy you need to check on the adequate level of air pressure in the tyres to avoid unexpected tyre puncture. Another thing for tyres is looking at the tread depth , as driving your tyres for a longer period on different road terrain can diminish the tread depth causing damage to your tyres without you noticing them on time. For proper tread depth you need to check whether the depth is upto normal level that is 1.6mm for most of the tyres.
Driving Style
Lastly, having a good driving style impacts the car performance too. If you are a rash driver there are higher chances that your fuel efficiency will drop and you might damage any internal part of your car without getting notice of it. Your driving style can either increase your vehicle repairing cost or decrease it significantly. It is always better to go with a smooth driving style no matter how much of a hurry you are.
