Improve gas mileage by ensuring properly inflated tires! A study in Canada finds under-inflated tires rolling on Canadian roadways waste enough fuel to power 275,000 vehicles for a full year
Motorists suffering from sky-high fuel prices may be adding to their pain by not measuring their tire pressures monthly.
According to data from Natural Resources Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC), which represents tire makers, Canadian drivers will waste an estimated C$722 million in unnecessary fuel bills in 2011 simply because one or more of their tires are under-inflated.
In Canada alone, under-inflated tires are expected to squander an estimated 533 million litres (141 million gallons) of fuel in 2011. This wasted fuel, enough to power 275,000 vehicles for a full year, will also release an additional 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
With sky-high fuel prices, measuring tire inflation monthly should be a priority for every motorist. A tire that is under-inflated does not roll as smoothly or as easily as it was intended. The result is increased rolling resistance, which causes the vehicle to burn more fuel.
According to the RAC, the average Canadian motorist who drives 20,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) per year on properly inflated tires can save more than $100 Canadian dollars at the pumps. For drivers who spend considerably more time behind the wheel, the annual fuel savings can add up to hundreds of dollars.
Despite these obvious benefits, too many drivers ignore tire inflation. According to a 2009 RAC study, conducted by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, one-third of Canada’s 21 million vehicles have at least one under-inflated tire, and only 30 per cent of drivers measure their tire pressures monthly.
Knowledge Gaps
The study also revealed major knowledge gaps about tire inflation. For example, while 52 percent of drivers knew how to locate the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure (owner’s manual or vehicle placard), nine percent did not know and 26 percent wrongly believed that the pressure stamped on the sidewall, which refers to the maximum pressure a tire can contain under maximum load, was the recommended inflation level.
As well, 59 percent of drivers interviewed made the serious mistake of relying on a visual inspection to tell them if their tire pressures should be measured. In fact, a tire can be under- or over-inflated by 20 percent or more and look normal.
“Properly inflated tires deliver the fuel efficiency and exceptional performance that tire makers want every driver to have,” says Glenn Maidment, president of the RAC.
“Drivers need to know that improperly inflated tires waste fuel, increase stopping distance, and hamper performance by lessening vehicle stability, particularly when cornering. All it takes to get the outstanding fuel economy and performance your tires were designed to deliver is to use a reliable tire gauge each month to measure and, if necessary, adjust your tire pressures.”
Shortened tire life should also be of concern to motorists who want to save their money and help the environment. According the RAC, under-inflation can shave as much as 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) off the service life of a tire, adding to tire-related vehicle costs and the number of scrap tires.
The 2009 study also examined attitudes towards tire recycling and found that more than half of drivers (58 percent) were aware of the work done by Canada’s provincial Tire Stewardship Boards to manage scrap tire recycling operations and lengthen tire life through public education. Of this group, the vast majority (81 percent) were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the manner in which scrap tires are managed.
Tire Inflation Tips
Here are some tire inflation tips for motorists who want the best performance and fuel efficiency from their tires:
Invest in a reliable tire gauge. The most accurate way to know if your tires need to be inflated or deflated is by measuring their pressure with a reliable gauge monthly. Too many drivers make the mistake of thinking a visual check will tell them if their tire pressures are correct. A tire can be under or over inflated by 20 percent or more and not be noticeable.
Always inflate your tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. The right tire pressure by wheel position is listed on the vehicle placard, which is located on one of the vehicle’s inside door posts, or inside the glove compartment or fuel door.
Never use the tire pressure stamped on the sidewall. That pressure refers to the maximum pressure a tire can contain under maximum load. If you experience difficulty locating your vehicle placard, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for its location.
You should only measure tire pressure when the vehicle has been stationary for at least three hours, or has not been driven more than two kilometers (1.25 miles). Tires heat up when rolling, so if they are measured after driving more than two kilometers, the pressure reading will be inaccurate.
The 2009 Tire Inflation and Attitudinal Study interviewed 1,811 drivers in the fall of 2009. The results are considered accurate within ± 2.5 percent, 19 times out of 20.
May 16 to 22, 2011, was National Be Tire Smart Week, an advocacy campaign in Canada to educate the motoring public about the benefits of proper tire inflation and maintenance. The campaign is an initiative of the Rubber Association of Canada, which represents the tire industry. The tire industry, including manufacturers, retailers, and distributors, wish to remind motorists about the fuel efficiency, safety, and environmental benefits of proper tire inflation and maintenance through this campaign.
Learn more about the value of proper tire inflation and maintenance and Be Tire Smart Week by visiting www.betiresmart.ca.
