April 29th, 2011
Tires and Fuel Efficiency
A trip to the gas station is quickly approaching the $100 mark for many drivers. As the price per gallon reaches, and exceeds, $4.00, that will become a regular occurrence for more and more families. Those with multiple vehicles and long commutes are going to have to find ways to save money on vehicle operation. This should start with the tires and wheels .
A good set of tires, properly maintained, will get much better gas mileage than driving old, worn out tires. Tires affect a vehicle’s performance , balance, and alignment. If any of those are off, the car has to work harder, which means using more gas to complete the same tasks. Tires need to be regularly rotated and balanced in order to function efficiently. They should also be kept at optimal tire pressure at all times.
Worn tires get worse mileage as do those that have been patched or are constantly losing tire pressure. Drivers who procrastinate replacing their tires will end up spending more money at the gas station. Replacement tires that are the proper size and rating for the vehicle will go a long way towards improving fuel efficiency, practically overnight. That will make it much easier for the car’s owner to afford the custom chrome rims they’ve always wanted to buy.

