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Tyre giant Michelin has urged fleet drivers to monitor their tyre pressures as closely as the look at mpg readouts - claiming underinflated tyres could be hitting them in the wallet.
According to Michelin, a tyre that is under-inflated by 20% will return 20% less mileage before needing to be replaced with a new one.
The firm claimed that, on average, at least 60% of motorists drive on under-inflated tyres, with half of those being at what the firm called "dangerously under-inflated levels" - more than 8psi less than the recommended pressure.
Michelin added that under-inflation makes vehicle steering less precise, increases stopping distances and leads to a higher risk of aquaplaning, while making the vehicle more prone to speedy deflation.
"Driving on tyres just a few psi below the manufacturer's recommended pressures will reduce a vehicle's fuel efficiency on every single journey," said Jonathan Layton, head of fleet at Michelin. "As fuel costs rise, the impact of this under-inflation is pushing running costs higher."
He added: "A lot of fleet drivers routinely monitor their average fuel consumption via the dashboard display, and many will even be aware of small differences between journeys. Just imagine how much UK businesses could save if drivers paid as close attention to their tyre pressures as they did to their mpg readout. Maintaining accurate tyre pressures is a small but simple step to improving fuel efficiency, maximising vehicle safety and reducing carbon emissions."
Michelin's research tallies with data from charity TyreSafe, which earlier this month claimed that British motorists could be spending up to £600 million on unnecessary fuel bills each year thanks to drivers not inflating their tyres enough.
According to TyreSafe, 57% of car and van tyres are driven below the recommended inflation pressures, which the charity said can increase fuel consumption levels.
TyreSafe added that more than a third (35%) of tyres are being driven at least 8psi below the recommended limits set by manufacturers. Data from tyre company Maxxis suggests that pressures 7psi below the recommended limit can halve the amount of road contact the tyre has, with the chances of aquaplaning increasing "significantly".
Previous research by TyreSafe indicated that one in 20 vehicles fails its first MOT test due to tyre defects, with the company urging the government not to increase the MOT exemption period for up to four years on safety grounds.
The road safety charity advised drivers to check pressures at least once every month and before long journeys, adding that tyre pressures are likely to need adjusting when carrying heavy loads.
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