by Mike Mccarthy

Created on: March 16, 2009

Looking after your tires can save you money. Fact. Your Tires can have a direct effect upon the gas mileage your vehicle achieves. As a motorist and vehicle owner/driver, you need to realise that with simple choices and regular inspection of your tires, you can have a personal effect upon the economy of your vehicle.

Correct inflation is probably the most important element to obtaining good gas mileage, or fuel economy. No matter what tire you have fitted, if it is over or under inflated, then your fuel economy will suffer. It is easy to find the correct inflation pressures for your tires. There will be information within your owners manual, indicating tire pressure. There will be a sticker, usually on the centre pillar of the car or on the outside door edge on the drivers side of the vehicle that indicates the correct pressures too. If you do not have either, tyre fitting businesses will have charts that show the correct tire pressure for vehicles and makes of tire, and they will be happy to let you know what pressure you need.

Tyre pressures are usually indicated in either PSI (pounds per square inch) or in BAR (Bar is a measure of pressure. 1bar = approx 14.5 psi, this equates to the average atmospheric pressure at sea level.). If you own a European car, BAR is often the measurement used.

You should check your tire pressure at weekly intervals, or sooner if you have used your vehicle for prolonged periods, say a long trip, or if you experience extremes of temperature. As an operation, checking your tire pressure should be carried out either early in the day or in late afternoon. The vehicle should not have been driven prior to checking the pressures. This is because the air in the tire heats up during driving so gives a false reading. If you have to drive to get to a service station that has an airhose, then choose somewhere local, within say 10 minutes of driving.

The reason why it is important to have accurate tire pressures is because the tire creates friction when moving over the road surface. The more friction, the harder the vehicle engine has to work to produce the desired speed when travelling. There will always be this friction, but a correctly inflated tire will reduce this as much as possible, therefore increasing or maximising your fuel economy. An under inflated tire will create more friction and cost you more per mile.

While you are down there checking tire pressures, inspect the tire as well. Not only is this a good safety exercise, but a damaged

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