WATER 4 GAS
Tires have a lot of impact on your gas mileage.
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.
Hopefully, this will be soon be rectified, because the federal government has decided that tire manufacturers must start labeling tires for fuel efficiency. You can choose your gas saving tires by looking at a label. This program would create a national labeling system that would rate the energy efficiency of tires.
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.
The good news is that tires are much more efficient today than they were in 1975. Rolling resistance, (the power that is lost as rolling tires flex and change shape), has been reduced by as much as 50%. Radial tires have greatly improved tire efficiency, and there have been many advances in tread patterns and the use of new, lighter rubber compounds.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid flashy wheels on your car or truck. Over sized wheels and rims weigh more, and wider tires have more surface area touching the road, creating more friction. Both reduce fuel efficiency.
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.
Don’t fill tires with nitrogen instead of air. There’s still no definitive data showing that filling tires with nitrogen improves either mileage or tire wear. Until the data is in, it’s probably not worth the extra expense.
If you notice that your tires are showing uneven tread wear, you might have alignment, balance, or parts issues. Take your car in for servicing. They will diagnose the problem.
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.
By choosing the right gas saving 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.