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The Right Tires Can Help You Save Money on Gas

Author: JoanYankowitz
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Most people don't realize that having the right tires can improve fuel savings. But it's true. And you probably haven't paid enough attention to the tires you have on your vehicle.

In fact you may be unwittingly adding to your driving expenses by selecting tires that deliver poor fuel economy. That's because you probably don't have a lot of information about tire efficiency. And here are no standardized ratings available to help you make a wise choice.

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.

So far, however, there has been little progress made. Critics say the industry is stonewalling, but the tire manufacturers disagree. They say they have spent millions on research and development of more fuel-efficient tires.

You'll find that tires today are more efficient today than they were in the 1970s. Radial tires have improved tire efficiency, and there have been many advances in tread patterns. Rolling resistance, (the power that is lost as rolling tires flex and change shape), has also been reduced by as much as 50%.

However tire efficiency can still vary a great deal, and fuel economy can be reduced. Industry experts expect the mandated minimum standards will go along way to help reduce the amount of gasoline used in the US.

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.

If you're in the market for new tires, think about replicating your original brand and model. Auto manufacturers usually choose the most efficient tires possible for their new cars.

Stick with regular sized wheels. Oversized wheels and rims are much heavier, and wider tires cause more friction. Your fuel efficiency will suffer.

Don't replace tires until you have to. Worn tires are actually more efficient than brand new ones. Turn a penny so that Lincoln's head is upside down, and then stick the penny in the groove of the tire tread. If you can see the top of his head, it's time to 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 your tires show uneven tread wear, you may have alignment, balance or parts problems: If one edge of your tire is more worn than the other, and has a "feathered" appearance, you have an alignment problem. If the tire appears to be "cupped," you may have damaged parts or you may not be keeping your tires properly balanced. Any of these situations will reduce your fuel efficiency.

If you live in a dry climate, don't buy rain tires. Water-shedding or off-road tread patterns can burn more fuel. If you live in a snowy climate, buy snow tires and drive slow, both of which will increase efficiency when driving in the snow.

Now you've learned how choosing the right tires can save you money and improve your fuel efficiency. As gas prices continue to increase, you'll want to learn even more gas saving tips.