Get Tired! How Maintaining those Four Wheels Makes a Difference at the Pumps

Maintaining those four wheels makes a difference at the pumps. Many consumers overlook the care of their tires. Tires should be cared for, like any other component of a car. Tires should be properly inflated, rotated regularly, and aligned, to maximize fuel efficiency. If your vehicle’s tires are not properly maintained, it could lead to other maintenance problems, and could reduce fuel efficiency.

Every vehicle should have properly inflated tires. Most drivers overlook the importance of keeping their tires properly inflated. The softer your tires are, the more friction between the road and the rubber, and the harder your engine will work to move your car. Under inflated tires lowers gas mileage by 0.4 for every one pound of drop in pressure of all four tires. So, if you’re down by ten pounds you’re losing 4 percent in fuel economy. Properly inflated tires increase fuel economy by 3.3 percent according to the DOE. Tires at the recommended pressure, offer a good balance between ride, handling and fuel efficiency. If you’re not sure what the pressure should be, you can find it on the door of your glove compartment or on the driver’s side door pillar. If the label lists a psi range (pounds per square inch), then use the higher number to maximize your fuel economy. Drivers should make sure the tires are inflated evenly. The pressure in all the tires should be the same. Tires at the recommended pressure, offer a good balance between ride, handling, and fuel efficiency.

Tires need special attention in the winter. For every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit in air temperature your tires will lose one pound of pressure. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Tire pressure should always be checked after a sharp drop in pressure. If the correct pressure of your tires is 35 psi, and three tires are at this pressure, but one is at 28 psi, then the last tire is 7 psi under inflated. This is a 20 percent under inflation, which means a 4 percent excess of fuel consumption. It’s advisable to purchase your own tire pressure gauge because those at the pumps are often inaccurate or missing.

Rotating your tires is another important money saving tip. It’s best to rotate your tires regularly to distribute the wear evenly among all four tires. The recommended tire rotation pattern for your vehicle should be in the owner’s manual, or they should be rotated twice a year. The type of tire used for a vehicle also affects the fuel efficiency. Bias belted, tires are stiffer than radial tires and have a higher rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder to move the car down the road. So, consumers should take into consideration the type of tire used on their vehicle, before replacing any tire.

If you need to replace a tire, then consult the owner’s manual or ask a tire professional for information on the right type and size for your vehicle. The most desirable attributes of a replacement tire are low rolling resistance and long tire life. A ten percent reduction in rolling resistance will result in a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption, if the wrong tires are used. Ask a tire professional to help you choose quality tires with a low rolling resistance and a long projected tread life that will meet your vehicle’s need.

The wheels of your vehicle should be properly aligned, when considering fuel efficiency. Wheel alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires will drag instead of rolling freely. This will increase your fuel consumption, reduce tire life, and cause problems with your vehicle’s handling and ride. Your vehicle’s wheels should be balanced also. If they are out of balance, the driver will feel a pounding or shaking through the steering wheel. This pounding will shorten the life of other suspension components, and will produce uneven tire wear. Which will increase fuel consumption. Consumers would be surprised at the fuel economy of their vehicles, if their tires were properly maintained. Well-maintained tires will improve fuel efficiency, and put money in many consumers’ pockets. It pays at the pump to maintain those four wheels.