Choose Tires Wisely and Enjoy Gas Savings

Author: Joan Yankowitz

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.

If you don't know a lot about tire efficiency, you're not alone.
Most people don't know that they are adding to their driving
expenses by choosing tires that deliver poor fuel economy.
There's not a lot of information available about tire
efficiency. And its difficult to know how to make your 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.

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.

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%.

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.

You won't have any way of knowing which tire will provide the
most fuel efficiency until the minimum standards appear. For
now, you should use these tips from the Department of Motor
Vehicles.

Keep your tires properly inflated according to the
manufacturer's recommended psi. Studies show that properly
inflated tires can improve your mileage by 3.3%. Never test
pressure in a hot tire in the summer or in a cold tire in the
winter.

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.

Stay away from special wheels for your truck or car. Wider tires
touch the road with more friction, and oversize wheels and rims
weigh more. Your fuel efficiency will be reduced.

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.

Fill tires with air, and not nitrogen. There is no conclusive
proof that nitrogen improves either tire wear or mileage, so
it's not worth the cost.

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.

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.

It's clear to see that the right tires can help improve your
fuel efficiency and save you money. You'll want to learn even
more gas-saving tips as gas prices continue to skyrocket.

About the author:
Joan Yankowitz can show you ways to save gas and increase 
your vehicle's MPG by at least 25-40% or more by hypermiling.