Choose Tires Wisely And Enjoy Gas Savings

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.

You're probably paying more than you should for gas because your tires are hurting your fuel consumption. Add to that the fact that it's hard to know which tires will be more efficient, and it's a recipe for poor fuel mileage.

Hopefully, this will be soon be recified, because the federal government has decided that tire manufacturers must start labeling tires for fuel efficiency. 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.

Tires produced today are far more efficient than tires were in 1975. Rolling resistance, which is the power that is lost as rolling tires flex and change shape, has been reduced by as much as 50%. Radial tires have also improved tire efficiency, and advances in tread patterns and the use of new, lighter rubber compounds have made a big impact.

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.

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.

Don't use flashy wheels on your car or truck. Oversized wheels and rims weigh more, and wider tires have more surface area touching the road, creating more friction. Both reduce fuel efficiency.

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.

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 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.

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.

Article Source: http://www.search4allinfo.com

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

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