The Right Tires Can Help You Save Money on Gas

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.

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.

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.

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.

Until those minimum standards actually appear, though, you will have no way of knowing which tire will deliver the most fuel efficiency for your vehicle. Until labeling arrives, the best you can do is remember these tips from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Your tires should be properly inflated. Check the manufacturer's psi recommendations. You're mileage will improve when your tires are inflated to the right psi. Make sure not to test the pressure in cold or hot tires.

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 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 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.