A study by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association reveals that neglected tyre pressure leads to an annual national loss of 42 crore litres of petrol. This inefficiency adds to household running costs and impacts vehicle safety through increased heat and faster tyre wear.
Indian motorists are losing an estimated ₹4,500 crore every year due to a simple yet overlooked maintenance issue: underinflated tyres. According to a nationwide study conducted by the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), a technical arm of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), a large majority of vehicles on Indian roads operate with air pressure below the levels recommended by manufacturers.
Scale of the Problem
Researchers surveyed over 1.3 lakh passenger vehicles to determine the extent of the issue. The data showed that 32% of the tyres tested had pressure at least 20% lower than required, while another 21% were between 10% and 20% below the optimal mark. This prevalence of underinflation creates a persistent drag on fuel efficiency across the national fleet.
Impact on Fuel Efficiency and Economy
Technically, even a small drop in tyre pressure significantly increases rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder. Industry data suggests that a drop of just one PSI reduces fuel efficiency by approximately 0.2%. When scaled across India’s massive vehicle population, this inefficiency results in a 0.75% reduction in total fuel economy. While the ₹4,500 crore figure accounts specifically for petrol, the total economic loss to the country is likely much higher when considering diesel, CNG, and LPG vehicles.
Safety and Maintenance Implications
Beyond the direct hit to household budgets and national fuel imports, underinflated tyres present tangible operational risks. When a tyre is not properly inflated, it flexes more during rotation, which generates excessive heat. This heat buildup can accelerate the degradation of tyre rubber, leading to faster wear and tear. For vehicle owners, this means more frequent replacements and higher maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle.
From a safety perspective, the implications are even more critical. Underinflated tyres can impair a vehicle's handling, increase braking distances, and raise the risk of sudden tyre failure, particularly during highway driving. Additionally, the increased fuel consumption directly translates into higher tailpipe emissions, contributing to environmental concerns. While this data focuses on passenger vehicles, the potential savings from better maintenance could be significant for commercial transport operators as well, who often manage larger fleets where even minor improvements in fuel efficiency can have a meaningful effect on operating margins. Moving forward, the industry is likely to continue its focus on public awareness campaigns to encourage regular pressure checks as a cost-effective way to improve vehicle performance and safety.