How to Keep Your Tires Optimized to Save Gas and Money

You can save 4% on your annual gas costs if you keep your tires at the recommended Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). That could save your family from $100 to $200 dollars annually. To determine and maintain the proper tire pressure requires very little effort. The steps are listed below.

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 common misconception is that the pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. It is not. It is actually the maximum tire pressure that the tire can safely be inflated to. This is also usually the pressure that is required to carry the maximum load the tire is rated for.

When you find the information listing the correct tire pressure, you need to physically measure air pressure in all four tires to guarantee they are inflated properly. There are a few steps involved in doing this correctly.

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:

Determine the proper pressure for your tires by checking the pressure label or the owner's manual. Now you are ready to measure.

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 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.

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.

Follow this advice and you will have more money in your pocket every time you fill up. At the end of the year you will have saved $100 to $200 dollars. It's that easy!

By: Scott Siegel
Credit:www.superfeature.com