With recent skyrocketing pump prices, a motoring expert is revealing the little-known issue that could be quietly burning through fuel with every journey.
UK diesel prices are at an all time high and an expert is revealing the lesser-known way to ensure you are conserving your fuel.
Sean Gallimore, motoring expert at motorbike insurance brand Lexham Insurance, says that road users should get their vehicle’s wheel alignment checked as it could save you money on filling up the tank.
Sean explains:
“While tyre pressure is widely known to affect your fuel efficiency, wheel alignment is lesser known but just as important when it comes to basic maintenance.
“It essentially just means how your wheels are positioned relative to each other and the road. Garages will look at the angles of your tyre position from above, the front and the side; adjusting the suspension system if it looks to be off. For two-wheeled vehicles, they check whether the rear wheel is perfectly in line with the front wheel and the frame.
“When wheels are misaligned, it can cause dragging whilst travelling which uses more fuel due to the resistance created.”
A wheel that’s just 2mm out of alignment can cause a sideways drift of 24 feet for every mile travelled.
Furthermore, research found that proper wheel alignment can improve fuel efficiency by over 6% on poorer road surfaces, showing how this simple maintenance check can help reduce running costs.
Sean provides insight into how wheel misalignment occurs:
“Wheels are most likely to fall out of alignment following unexpected impact. Potholes are one of the biggest culprits of this, as the sudden jolt can knock the wheels and suspension out of position.
“Clipping the side of the road, mounting a kerb, or driving over a speed bump too quickly are also potential ways that damage to wheel alignment can occur. If your vehicle experiences a hard knock of any kind, be sure to closely monitor how your car behaves afterwards.”
Signs of wheel misalignment in…
A four wheeled vehicle:
- The steering wheel isn’t centred when you’re driving on a straight, flat road
- You feel the car pulling to the left or right and you feel it would drift in that same direction if you weren’t correcting it
- The front tyres on one side of your vehicle are more worn than the other side – particularly on the edges of the tyre
A two wheeled vehicle:
- The handlebars don’t feel straight or even when you’re on a straight, flat road and the motorcycle feels it tracks to one side
- The rear wheel adjuster marks don’t match on both sides of the swingarm (the mechanical ‘hinge’ that connects the rear wheel to the bike’s frame)
- Handling your vehicle, particularly round corners or when turning, feels off and more unstable
The motoring expert also highlights the safety implications of driving a vehicle with wheel misalignment:
“Besides the increased fuel consumption, wheel misalignment can compromise other road users’ safety as well as your own due to the reduced handling and control.
“With this in mind, it is recommended to check your wheel alignment every 10,000 miles to ensure your journeys remain as safe and as comfortable as possible.”
