Car Care

America Needs Inflation

Posted: 6/29/2012

Properly inflated tires help optimize fuel economy, reduce premature tire wear and decrease safety risks.

(NAPSI)—High gas prices should make more Americans become pro-inflation—at least when it comes to tire pressure.

The Facts

The U.S. Department of Energy says properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by 3.3 percent and save 1.2 billion gallons of gasoline nationally.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that underinflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries a year. Yet fewer than one in five vehicles has four properly inflated tires, according to a Rubber Manufacturers Association tire pressure study. Worse, at least 15 percent of vehicles were found to have at least one tire underinflated by at least eight pounds per square inch (PSI).

What You Can Do

Heeding a few hints, however, can not only help motorists stay safe, but help them save money.

• Good driving habits help keep tires in optimum condition (avoid fast starts, stops, potholes and curbs).

• Take five minutes a month to check all your tires. Simple, regular maintenance can help drivers save as much as 12 cents per gallon at the pump and keep tires rolling longer so they don’t need to be replaced as often.

To be tire smart, you need to play your PART—Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread. These are the key elements of proper tire care.

Pressure: Check tire pressure monthly with a tire gauge and inflate to vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Alignment: Misalignment of wheels can cause uneven and rapid tread wear.

Rotation: Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to help you achieve more uniform wear.

Tread: Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions.

Learn More

For more facts and tips, go to www.betiresmart.org.

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