How to Save $100 to $200 in Gas Just by Checking Your Tires.

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 manufacturer recommended air pressure for the tires on your car can vary greatly from model to model. It can range anywhere from 20 pounds to 50 pounds per square inch. So how do you find the correct pressure for your tires?

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.

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:

Find the recommended inflation pressure for your tires on the vehicle information placard. Check the owner's manual for its exact location. A sight inspection is not an appropriate way to measure the air pressure in your tires.

Step 3:

Tire air pressure should only gauged when the tires are cold. A tire that has been at rest at least 3 hours or a tire that has not been driven for more than 1 mile is considered a cold tire.

Step 4:

Remove the top or cap from the valve on the tire and insert the gauge onto the valve. Make sure you press the gauge snugly on the valve. You should not hear air coming from the tire if you have the pressure gauge properly affixed onto the valve. If you hear air escaping pull the gauge off of the valve and reseat it. Once it is seated properly you can note the reading on the gauge.

Step 5:

Add air to achieve recommended air pressure. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve, then re-measure the pressure.

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 dollars at the pump. Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content lower gas costs article here.

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated