Why Does Tire Pressure Matter?
Keeping care tires inflated is not always the number one thing on a vehicle owner's to-do list. While it may seem like a little under inflation is harmless, there are actually several reasons why car tires should be properly inflated regularly.
- Save Money
In the moment, it is easy to feel like a saving a little pocket change is not a big deal but, once these smaller amounts begin to add up, it is easy to see the advantages to keeping your tires inflated. The average person who drives on under inflated tires for over 10,000 miles annually will be forced to purchase an extra 570 litres of gas. That can add up. By ensuring your tires are properly inflated throughout the year, you can literally save hundred of dollars.
- Safer Driving
When driving at higher speeds (like on a highway), your tires can be put under a tremendous amount of pressure. When tires are under inflated, that pressure can be dangerous. Under inflation combined with high speeds will make it harder for your tires to stop quickly without skidding. This means that any quick stops due to unexpected obstacles can become twice as dangerous. Under inflated tires can also cause problems on wet or icy roads.
- Lengthen The Life Of Your Tires
If you are continuously forcing your tire into under inflation, and then reinflating it, the tires can become weaker. Also, driving a car on under inflated tires puts those tires under unnecessary stress. Because of this, tires become weaker a lot quicker and will beed to be replaced sooner. Keeping your tires properly inflated can extend their lifespan by one to three years.
- Better Gas Mileage
Ensuring you tires are inflated to the correct air pressure can improve mileage by 3.3 percent. If tires are under inflated, it causes the car to slump down slightly. This is almost invisible to the human eye, but will dump unnecessary weight against the tires, causing gas mileage to suffer.
- Protect The Environment
Every time a litre of gas is burned, around 75 pounds of Carbon Dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Any vehicle that is running on under inflated tires can add up to 3360 extra pounds of gases unto the environment every year. By keeping your tires inflated, you can support both environmental and community protection.