Save Gas and Money: How to Keep Tires at the Recommended PSI
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 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 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 find the recommended tire pressure then you have to be able to measure the tire pressure on all of your tires to make sure they are at the correct pressure. Here is the correct way to measure tire pressure.
How to measure and correct tire pressure:
Step 1:
First and foremost you need a tire pressure gauge. This may seem obvious but many people think they can tell if a tire is low by sight. I would not recommend that. You don't need an expensive gauge. One with a dial is easier to use than the kind with the pop up.
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:
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 this same step by step procedure for the other tires. It only takes one low tire to rob you of fuel economy, so you need to measure all 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.
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!
Scott Siegel has written a 143 page book of industry insider information on saving gas and money at the pump. Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
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