Pumping up tires can inflate wallet

[tiremonkey2000]

Source:Bay News 9 (http://www.baynews9.com/Home.html)

If you think your wallet feels a little lighter after a trip to the gas station, it's not your imagination.

Gas prices are approaching an all-time high for regular unleaded. That was set last August at $3.03 per gallon.

The average price for regular gas in the state and the Bay area is $2.92. A month ago prices in Tampa were $2.75. A year ago today the national average price was $2.86.

It's often said tire pressure plays a big role in how fuel efficient your car is. But does filling up your tires really work?

"I'll say one out of five cars that come in is properly inflated," Rick Mott of Olin Mott Tires said. "Low tire pressure creates more drag or rolling resistance, which causes the engine to work harder and in turn causes you to use more fuel."

Mott said low tire pressure can tax fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

More Here (http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/5/8/247322.html?title=Pumping+up+tires+can+inflate+wal let)

[tiremonkey2000]

Listen to Tiremonkey i have been in the tire business for 25+ years, tire pressure does make a difference. If you need any advice on what pressure you need for you car/truck just ask.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

OK, so what is the general rule for the proper PSI? I always look at the tire reading every time I use air. I know it says maximum cold pressure. How much driving takes it out of cold status? A trip ot the gas station? 10 minutes solid driving? What happens if you reach that maximum while you're adding air and it's a hot day? Is there a suggested percentage to use considering the number on the sidewall? What are the risks of a tire blowing and how far past the max PSI should/would that be? Can the tire blow below the max PSI if the vehicle at a standstill and you're inflating it? Finally, what's the recommended tread depth to replace? Is it Abe Lincoln's hat, beard or nipple?

Oh yeah, replacing tires. Typical person on the roadside changing their own tire. I always break the lugs before jacking the vehicle up. Once the new/spare tire is on, I hand tighten or slightly tighten with wrench so that all lugs are even. Then I lower. How much torque, or ¼ turns of the wrench to ensure proper torque so the thing won't fall off or wobble?

OK, I'm done.

[tiremonkey2000]

Ok, first off max tire pressure should only be used say if your going on a long trip and load up the back of your car's trunk and or back seat,that is so the tire can hold the extra weight. Now when you get to where your going and unload then you drop the air pressure back to normal.
Now, normal driving air pressure would be between 32 psi. and 34 psi. for cars and trucks, now on the inside of drivers door/passenger rear or front door/glove compartment or owners manual will tell you what air pressure to use for the most comfortable ride but your tires will wear out twice as fast.
I have been in the tire business for about 25 yrs. so 34 psi. in all 4 tires will give you the best ride/handling/braking and will give you the best gas mileage.
If you own a daully pick-up the air pressure you run is exactly what it says on the tag on the drivers door because that's the way it was designed to run, wether it says 55 psi. for the front and 80 psi. in the rear loaded or unloaded.
As for checking air pressure, check it first thing in the morning after vehicle sits all night. Pressure takes about 30-45 min. to increase while driving constant but the increase will only be between 3-4 pounds. So if your tires say 20 psi. first thing in the morning your driving on underinflated tires wich will show even wear on the outside and inside edges of your tires, to much air will show more wear in the center of the tire.
As for a tire blowing out, underinflation can blow a tire and overinflation will do the same, dry rot on tires is bad also even alignment wear which is more wear on either edge of tires or just running over stuff in the road.
Also you should never exceed the recommended tire pressure ever, that will just cause major problems and you vehicle will feel everything on the road.
When tightening lugs just snug them first and then when you let the car down you should go about 1.5 turns to make sure the lugs are tight.

My recommendation for rotations would be around every oil change which would be about every 3,000 miles even if your oil changes are every 7,500 miles if you use synthetic oil. And also check the air in you spare at every oil change or once a month. Just from sitting there not in use your spare will lose air becuse of temperature change just like your tires on your car, have them checked at least once a month.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Cool deal. Thanks for the feedback.

[tiremonkey2000]

Cool deal. Thanks for the feedback.

Anytime, that's what i'm here for.