A MOTORS expert has revealed a number of simple tricks to help you save money on your car.
Andreas Giese, a specialist who works for Falken tyres, has picked out his best tips that could help ease the financial strains of motorists in the winter months when cost of living is expected to rise.
Properly inflated tyres could help extend the life of your tyres but also improve your motor’s fuel economy
Properly inflated tyres
As a tyres guru, Andreas explained how inflating your tyres properly can help improve your car‘s safety and fuel economy.
He told the Daily Express: “A properly inflated tyre not only extends the life of the tyre but also offers improved safety and fuel economy.
“Greater rolling resistance leads to unnecessary wear, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions which could be avoided.
“Studies have shown that even 0.5 bar pressure loss could increase fuel consumption by two to five percent.
“So check your pressures regularly, even if a car has a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted.”
He also revealed how a simple change in driving style can make all the difference to the lifespan of tyres.
Changing your driving style
He said: “To make your tyres last longer, consider your driving style.
“Tyre will last longer if you avoid driving too quickly, minimise heavy braking, acceleration and aggressive cornering.”
Fix instead of replace
Replacing tyres is one of the costliest problems that motorists face, but Andreas has explained that fixing rather than replacing a tyre could be the answer.
He said: “If you are unlucky enough to get a puncture, you might not have a replacement there but is possible to get it fixed.
“It depends on the location and size of the puncture, the type of tyre and the general condition and age of the tyre.
“Speak to your nearest tyre specialist to get the right advice and don’t drive around on an underflated tyre as it can damage it beyond repair.”
Rotating your tyres
Andreas also suggested that rotating your tyres could make a subtle difference.
He said: “To make tyres last longer you can rotate them.
“That means swapping the front tyres with the rears if they are the same size.
“Doing this can maximise tyre life as rotation avoids uneven wear, and improves fuel efficiency because you keep friction low by spreading the wear evenly and improve handling and performance in the wet.”
Adjusting wheel alignment
Andreas’ final top tip could help maximise your vehicle’s range.
He explained: “Wheel alignment is about having the geometry of your suspension and steering checked and adjusted to ensure it’s set to the car manufacturer’s specification.
“Wheel tracking can be affected by hitting a kerb, driving into a pothole or if your steering or suspension components are worn.
“The check and adjustment is usually done by a tyre specialist.
“If you have an EV the correct alignment can help maximise vehicle range.
“Signs that you might need this doing are uneven tyre wear, the car pulling to one side, vibrations or your steering wheel is off centre.”
Meanwhile, a mechanic has revealed how a £7 Teso top-up could bring a faulty heater back to life.
Also a car servicing expert has shown motors a hack to defrost a car windscreen that costs 10p.
Five ways to save money on your car
Properly inflated tyres
Changing your driving style
Fix instead of replace
Rotating your tyres
Adjusting wheel alignment
Elena PopovaA tyre specialist could help save you a fortune in the long run as the cost of living crisis threatens to rise[/caption]
Improving the safety of your motor could also help save you money