Improved Fuel Economy with These Simple Tips
G’day, folks! Graham Cahill here from 4WD 24/7. With the cost of just keeping our head above water these days, we all want to squeeze more kays out of our tanks, especially when heading bush or hitting the road on that much earned getaway. The good news? Your tyres and a few handy tips can make a real difference and Bridgestone tyres are a solid way to help you get there.
1. Tackle Wind Drag on the Roof
If you’re rocking a roof rack or carrying gear up top, you’re probably noticing more fuel burn. Wind drag can really chew up your fuel and put a dent in your wallet—take it from me, I own a Y62! When you’re not using the roof storage, take it off. If that’s not possible, try and keep bulky items inside the vehicle and streamline your load as much as possible. Less wind resistance means more kilometres for less fuel.
2. Keep Your Tyres at the Correct Pressure
This one’s a no-brainer under-inflated tyres gobble more fuel. Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. This is most important when you’re back in 2-wheel drive and smashing out the highway miles. It’s a quick and easy check, but it could save you plenty of bucks at the pump, not to mention money in your account in prematurely worn tyres
3. Your choice of tyre makes a big difference.
If you are running mud terrain tyres, they’re going to make your 4WD work even harder because they are heavier. A set of A/Ts like the Bridgestone Dueler 697s are going to be way better on road but are still super capable off-road. They don’t hurt your back pocket quite as much as heavier mud terrain tyres.
Graham Cahill is one of Australia’s most recognised 4WD adventurers and photojournalists. Best known for his work on 4WD 24/7, he’s spent decades tackling some of the toughest tracks and most remote tracks across the country. With a wealth of experience behind the wheel and behind the lens, Graham brings an authentic perspective on life on and off-road.