Save $100 to $200 in Gas
How to Save $100 to $200 in Gas Just by Checking Your Tires. by Scott Siegel
Keeping your tires at the recommended PSI (Pounds per square inch) can save you 4% on your annual gas costs. That could save the average family between $100 and $200 dollars per year. Here is how you determine and maintain the correct tire pressure.
The correct tire pressure is different from car to car and from tire to tire. The correct or manufacturer recommended pressure for the tires on personal vehicles can be from 20 psi to over 50 psi.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the information placard. This placard is normally located on the edge of one of the doors, the inside post of one of vehicle's doors or inside the glove compartment, trunk, or fuel door. Your owner's manual should include the correct tire pressure or direct you to the placard's location on your vehicle.
A Great Fuel Saver
The pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the maximum tire pressure - or the tire pressure that is required to carry the maximum load of the tire. It is not the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure, which is a common misconception.
Once you know the correct tire pressure, you need to measure the tire pressure on all tires to ensure they are inflated correctly. The correct way to determine tire pressure:
To correctly measure and guarantee the proper tire pressure:
Step 1:
Make sure you have a tire pressure gauge. There are many kinds. You do not need an expensive one. A gauge with a dial is easier to read than the pop up kind.
Step 2:
Check the tire air pressure informational sticker or the car operating manual to determine the manufacturer suggested pressure for your tires. Once you have that information you can proceed with the actual measurement.
Step 3:
A tire that is hot, or has just been driven on will have a higher air pressure than that same tire when it is cold. A cold tire is one that has not been driven for at least 3 hours or has been driven 1 mile or less. Air pressure should only be measured when tires are cold. If you measure warm tires your results will be faulty.
Step 4:
Press the pressure gauge onto the valve after removing the valve cap. Be sure the gauge is lined up with the valve properly and press hard so that the pressure gauge seals tightly on the valve. If you hear the whoosh of air escaping disengage the pressure meter from the valve and reseat it.You should not hear any air movement if you have the gauge properly seated. When it is seated correctly you can take the reading on the gauge.
Step 5:
If needed, inflate the tire to achieve recommended air pressure. If you put too much air in you can release air by pushing on the stem at the inside center of the valve. Re- measure the pressure to make sure it is correct and adjust the air again if needed. Keep repeating this cycle of adding or subtracting air and remeasuring until the desired pressure is reached.
Step 6:
Follow this same procedure for the other three tires.
It is recommended that you check your tire pressure at least once per month. Air can and will leach from a tire over time. Heat and use will affect the rate at which a tire loses air. Checking once a month will assure that you are maintaining the correct pressure all year round.
This is one of the easiest ways to save $100 to $200 dollars of gas costs. Just follow this advice and you will have more money in your pocket.
About the Author
Scott Siegel has written a 143 page manual of automotive industry insider information on saving gas and dollars at the pump. Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
Keeping your tires at the recommended PSI (Pounds per square inch) can save you 4% on your annual gas costs. That could save the average family between $100 and $200 dollars per year. Here is how you determine and maintain the correct tire pressure.
The correct tire pressure is different from car to car and from tire to tire. The correct or manufacturer recommended pressure for the tires on personal vehicles can be from 20 psi to over 50 psi.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the information placard. This placard is normally located on the edge of one of the doors, the inside post of one of vehicle's doors or inside the glove compartment, trunk, or fuel door. Your owner's manual should include the correct tire pressure or direct you to the placard's location on your vehicle.
A Great Fuel Saver
The pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the maximum tire pressure - or the tire pressure that is required to carry the maximum load of the tire. It is not the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure, which is a common misconception.
Once you know the correct tire pressure, you need to measure the tire pressure on all tires to ensure they are inflated correctly. The correct way to determine tire pressure:
To correctly measure and guarantee the proper tire pressure:
Step 1:
Make sure you have a tire pressure gauge. There are many kinds. You do not need an expensive one. A gauge with a dial is easier to read than the pop up kind.
Step 2:
Check the tire air pressure informational sticker or the car operating manual to determine the manufacturer suggested pressure for your tires. Once you have that information you can proceed with the actual measurement.
Step 3:
A tire that is hot, or has just been driven on will have a higher air pressure than that same tire when it is cold. A cold tire is one that has not been driven for at least 3 hours or has been driven 1 mile or less. Air pressure should only be measured when tires are cold. If you measure warm tires your results will be faulty.
Step 4:
Press the pressure gauge onto the valve after removing the valve cap. Be sure the gauge is lined up with the valve properly and press hard so that the pressure gauge seals tightly on the valve. If you hear the whoosh of air escaping disengage the pressure meter from the valve and reseat it.You should not hear any air movement if you have the gauge properly seated. When it is seated correctly you can take the reading on the gauge.
Step 5:
If needed, inflate the tire to achieve recommended air pressure. If you put too much air in you can release air by pushing on the stem at the inside center of the valve. Re- measure the pressure to make sure it is correct and adjust the air again if needed. Keep repeating this cycle of adding or subtracting air and remeasuring until the desired pressure is reached.
Step 6:
Follow this same procedure for the other three tires.
It is recommended that you check your tire pressure at least once per month. Air can and will leach from a tire over time. Heat and use will affect the rate at which a tire loses air. Checking once a month will assure that you are maintaining the correct pressure all year round.
This is one of the easiest ways to save $100 to $200 dollars of gas costs. Just follow this advice and you will have more money in your pocket.
About the Author
Scott Siegel has written a 143 page manual of automotive industry insider information on saving gas and dollars at the pump. Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
posted by Tim at 8:33 AM
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