More About Fuel Economy with the Right Tires

I'm sure you're concerned with saving as much money on gas as possible these days. I'll bet you didn't realize that having the right tires can greatly improve your fuel consumption. Yes, tires are boring, but in these days of out of control increases in fuel costs, it's necessary to keep in mind that they can significantly reduce your transportation costs.

Take a little time to read through this article we came across which has some very valuable tips to keep in mind about fitting your vehicle with proper tires.

Reduce Gas Spending With The Right Tires

I'm sure you're concerned with saving as much money on gas as possible these days. I'll bet you didn't realized that having the right tires can greatly improve your fuel consumption.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, efficiency can still vary by as much as half from tire to tire, reducing fuel economy by more than 10 percent. And experts believe the mandated minimum standards should 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.

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

You don't have to buy new tires unless the tread is very worn. To test the tire, turn a penny until Lincoln's head is upside down, and then put the penny into the tread groove. If you are able to see the top of Lincoln's head, you'll want 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 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.

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.

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.

Joan Yankowitz will show you ways to save gas and improve your vehicle's MPG by at least 25-40% or more by hypermiling..