The Right Tires Can Help You Save Money on Gas
by: 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.
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.
This will change in the future, because the federal government has mandated that tire manufacturers must start labeling tires for fuel efficiency. The program would create a national labeling system similar to the Energy Star system used to rate the energy efficiency of household appliance.
Like so many programs, it is taking a long time to implement. Consumer watchdogs say that manufacturers are trying to slow down the process, but the companies claim they are moving as fast as they can to research and develop tires that are more 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%.
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.
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.
Make sure you inflate your tires according to the manufacturer's psi specifications. You'll find that you can improve your mileage by keeping your tires properly inflated. Don't test the pressure in a hot or cold tire.
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.
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.
Don't buy rain tires in a dry climate. Off-road tread or water-shedding can burn more fuel. Buy snow tires in a cold climate to improve efficiency.
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.
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About the Author
Joan Yankowitz will show you ways to save gas and improve your vehicle's MPG by at least 25-40% or more by hypermiling.
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