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How To Save $100 To $200 In Gas Just By Checking Your Tires. |
By:
Scott Siegel |
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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.
Correct tire pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and wheel to wheel. In fact, the recommended pressure for personal vehicles ranges from 20 to over 50 psi.
The information that tells you the proper tire pressure for your car is listed on a information label. This label is located in a few standard places on your car. The label can be found on the interior of the glove compartment, trunk, or gas tank door or on the side of one of the car doors or on the post inside one of the car doors. If you cannot easily find the label, the owner's manual should include the correct information or tell you where the pressure label is located.
Many drivers have the mistaken idea that the numbers on the tire sidewall indicate the correct pressure. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The information on air pressure listed on the tire is the maximum tire pressure that can safely be used in that grade tire. It also indicates the highest pressure that should be used in order to load the maximum weight in the vehicle.
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:
Only measure pressure when the tires are cold. Tires are cold if they have not been driven for more than 1 mile or have been at rest at least 3 hours.
Step 4:
Complete tire inflation pressure check: Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, press the pressure gauge onto the valve and take a pressure reading. Make sure you press the pressure gauge completely onto the valve. You should not hear any air escaping from the tire as you are taking the reading. If air is escaping, remove the gauge from the valve and try reseating it again.
Step 5:
If you find the pressure is low, add air to the tire until you get to the correct air pressure. If you find the tire is over inflated or you put too much air in the tire, you can lower the pressure by pushing on the metal stem at the center of the valve which will allow air to escape from the tire. Measure the air pressure again to make sure you have the correct level and adjust the air in or out again if needed. Repeat measuring and adding or purging air until the desired pressure is reached.
Step 6:
Repeat the above procedure for each of the tires.
The standard recommendation that tire experts suggest is to check your tire pressure at least once per month. The tire pressure will change from day to day as air permeates from the tire over time. Heat and driving conditions can accelerate the rate that air pressure is lost. If you are able to check the pressure once each month you can be sure that the tires on your car will remain at the proper pressure all the time.
Check your tires. Follow the steps above. There is no easier way to put $100 to $200 dollars of gas costs back into your pocket.
Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of automotive industry insider information on saving gas and money at the pump. Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage. Get your own completely unique content version of this article.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article53939.html |
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