ALT-8 Gas Mileage and Tires
How do tires hurt gas mileage?
Many people talk about things such as filters,fuel injector cleaners,and regular oil changes as being crucial ways to boost one's gas mileage. However many of these same individuals overlook one of the most crucial aspects of their vehicle; one that also can affect gas mileage.
As the title suggests, this article takes a look at whether or not the tires one has will affect the gas mileage. The answer simply put is yes. While maintaining your car well will always result in better mileage and longer car life; selecting and maintaining the proper tires will not only keep you safe on the road but help your gas mileage as well.
But why you may wonder would your tires affect something like gas mileage? Tire rubber is literally the only material connecting your ride to the road. That means that the tires' performance affects everything from speed,handling,braking,acceleration,and of course gas mileage. Worn out tires for example are not only dangerous as they impair handling, but they tend to slip more on the road requiring the engine to work harder to move the car forward. Similarly, tires with low air pressure cause the car's weight to be magnified and thus creates more friction between rubber and road. Again the engine must work harder to move this vehicle whose weight is not being properly supported by correctly inflated tires.
A harder working engine not only affects the overall performance and life of a car, but will use up more gas per mile then a car riding on properly maintained tires. Keep in mind that the only contact your car which weighs thousands of pounds has with the road below are a few inches of rubber.
Taking care of the tires will help your wallet, your safety,your car's life, and help you get the more miles out of your tank of gas. Have your tires rotated on a regular basis as well as have bad or damaged tires replaced. Another benefit to caring for your car tires is that you will get a smoother ride as you travel from destination to destination. You should also replace car tires according to the tire maker's specifications for tire lifespan. Proper tire care and upkeep will help keep your tires in ideal shape which can be beneficial to gas mileage, preventing damage to your vehicle, your own safety, and the safety of those around you.
