How Important The Tire Pressure Is (MPG's)

[h20m0f0]

As the temperature goes down, as we all know so does the tire pressure. So my tire pressure light would come on and me not really thinking much about it, I just reset it, well it started to come on all the time and from a visual look at my tires they looked fine, WRONG. I checked them with a gauge and sure enough they were about 10lbs low.
Okay I told you that story so I can tell you this story...
Before I put the proper amount of air in my tires I was getting about 260-270 miles on a tank of gas with most of that being Hwy driving. Now with the right amount of air pressure,
I got 318 on the fisrt tank and 304 on the second
without changing any of my bad driving habits.....
I know many of you guys have told people before over and over again, tire pressure will efect MPG's, But I'm living proof now and a firm believer. So if anyone is getting unsatisfactory MPG's, don't ignore that tire pressure warning light and put a gauge on your tires, they may look full but 5 or 10lbs may make the difference between 32 and 40 miles to the gallon....

[Dave777]

True statement, and an honest evaluation.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by h20m0f0

, don't ignore that tire pressure warning light and put a gauge on your tires, they may look full but 5 or 10lbs may make the difference between 32 and 40 miles to the gallon....

Or the difference between having a blowout and not, or spinning out or not... incorrect pressure affects handling as well as economy. That's why Ford and Firestone got sued into the ground, and I can't rent a UHaul trailer if I pull it with a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, even 5.7L V8. Anything else is fine, but per one store manager someone in an Explorer had a blowout leading to accident and sued UHaul, apparently so the entire model is banned without question.

[Duckhunter]

That is why we pay for TPMS in all vehicles now because people sued after blowouts from low pressure. I check mine every couple of weeks.

[scdaf]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

Or the difference between having a blowout and not, or spinning out or not... incorrect pressure affects handling as well as economy. That's why Ford and Firestone got sued into the ground, and I can't rent a UHaul trailer if I pull it with a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, even 5.7L V8. Anything else is fine, but per one store manager someone in an Explorer had a blowout leading to accident and sued UHaul, apparently so the entire model is banned without question.

Actually, it was a group of Explorer owners, organized by trial lawyers into a class action lawsuit against U-Haul, who spent millions successfully defending against a frivolous suit and then decided they could live without the grief of renting to Explorer owners.

"It's not OUR fault we ran low tire pressure, It's Firestone's or U-Haul's or somebodies. Now, get us some money!"

Don't ignore the TPMS light.

[forestacademy]

I have one streach of new road I drive on that will turn on my tps light.

Its brand new, Smooth, and about 5 miles long. Every time I drive it the light comes on. It turns off soon after I get off that road. 2 miles later when I get home I check my tire presure and everything is where it should be.
Go Fig

[jetfuel]

....How Important The Tire Pressure Is (MPG's) ...

..not only for MPG'S and, as SperGeek said, handling, manufacturers recommended tire pressure is the key to longevity....
..under inflation can be harmful to the tires and dangerous to your car and those in it...the heat generated by underinflation will just kill your tire.
..under inflated tires can creep or slip on the wheel under stress or when heavy breaking is applied, destroying the tire and/or wheel.
..excessive shoulder wear may also be seen...it will allow the side walls of the tire to be crushed causing bead damage and making the tire unsafe for use...
...severe underinflation may cause ply separation and carcass degradation...

Overinflated tires are more susceptible to bruising, cuts,and shock damage..
...ride quality as well as traction will be reduced..
..never operate tires above rated inflation pressure...

jetfuel

[SubSlr88]

Learned long ago that with low-profile tires you can't tell anything about the pressures by looking at them - only a gauge can tell!
By the time they look low, they're dangerously low. It only takes a few minutes to stick a gauge on and check them . . .

[h20m0f0]

Originally Posted by SubSlr88

Learned long ago that with low-profile tires you can't tell anything about the pressures by looking at them - only a gauge can tell!
By the time they look low, they're dangerously low. It only takes a few minutes to stick a gauge on and check them . . .

Oh I know and with that tiny little car, It has no down pressure due to it's weight, So even with my tires 10lbs low they looked full. Now I keep a gauge in the car..... And I'm loving the 40+ miles extra per tank

[NeWave]

and new from the dealer, they're freggin high. (as mentioned repeatedly...)
I put my fronts at 30, and kept the back at 36. Nice rounder numbers, and 1 psi isn't going to kill it....
36-40 avg'd mpg with spirited driving habits...