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Choose Tires Wisely and Enjoy Gas Savings

Author: JoanYankowitz
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Right about now, you're asking yourself what the heck tires have to do with saving gas. Well, you'd be surprised how much having the right tires can help you reduce your fuel expenses.

You're probably paying more than you should for gas because your tires are hurting your fuel consumption. Add to that the fact that it's hard to know which tires will be more efficient, and it's a recipe for poor fuel mileage.

There may be hope, though, because the government has decided that tire manufacturers must start labeling tires for fuel efficiency. They want to create a national labeling system that will have unified standards, similar to the Energy Star system used to rate the energy efficiency of household appliance.

To date, the government program hasn't made much progress. Industry watchdogs claim that tire companies are stalling, but the manufacturers say they've spent millions of dollars on the research and development of tires that are fuel efficient.

Tires produced today are far more efficient than tires were in 1975. Rolling resistance, which is the power that is lost as rolling tires flex and change shape, has been reduced by as much as 50%. Radial tires have also improved tire efficiency, and advances in tread patterns and the use of new, lighter rubber compounds have made a big impact.

But tire efficiency can still vary greatly, and fuel economy can be affected. Experts hope the mandated minimum standards will help reduce the amount of gasoline used in the US by billions of gallons.

Until those minimum standards actually appear, though, you will have no way of knowing which tire will deliver the most fuel efficiency for your vehicle. Until labeling arrives, the best you can do is remember these tips from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Your tires should be properly inflated. Check the manufacturer's psi recommendations. You're mileage will improve when your tires are inflated to the right psi. Make sure not to test the pressure in cold or hot tires.

When you're replacing tires, consider purchasing the same brand and model that came as original equipment on your car. Auto manufacturers know that new cars will be thoroughly tested and rated by consumer magazines, right down to the performance of the tire, so they're usually careful to choose the most efficient tire possible.

Don't use flashy wheels on your car or truck. Oversized wheels and rims weigh more, and wider tires have more surface area touching the road, creating more friction. Both reduce fuel efficiency.

Only replace your tires when they need it. To test the tread, turn a penny and put Lincoln's head upside down. Then stick the penny in the tire tread groove. If the top of his head is noticeable, replace the tires.

Only fill tires with air. Don't fill them with nitrogen, since it hasn't been proven that nitrogen improves mileage or tire wear.

If you see that the tire tread is uneven, take your car in for servicing to determine the problem. You could have alignment, balance, or parts issues.

Use snow tires in a snowy climate and drive slow to increase efficiency. Don't buy rain tires if you live in a dry climate.

By choosing the right tires, you'll be sure to improve your fuel efficiency. As prices continue to skyrocket, you'll want to learn even more gas saving tips.