United Tire and Service News

Tires are very important for maintaining control through traction. Despite tires being in sight every time they get in their cars, most drivers overlook simple tire maintenance. If you are like most people, you don’t own a pressure gauge to check your how much air is in your tires. That kind of negligence is common, and many car owners do not fully understand how tires affect gas mileage. Here is a closer look at common problems that show how tires affect fuel economy.

 

If you don’t own a pressure gauge or bother to check your tire pressures once a week, your tires likely are underinflated. When tire pressure is low – especially more than 10 pounds less, you greatly affect gas mileage. Underinflated tires spread out more while contacting the road. That causes increased friction, and uneven wear on your tires. You will lose at least a couple miles per gallon of fuel, and potentially worse when you let your tires say well below their recommended pressure. For most tires, that is between 30 and 35 PSI.

 

Another way many owners neglect their tires and affect gas mileage is when they do not rotate and balance them. Tire rotation usually involves moving your front wheels to the back. The back wheels go on front, and often in a cross pattern. That means the driver-side rear wheel winds up on the passenger-side front. The driver-side front goes to the passenger-side rear. That helps to even out tire wear, while maximizing tire life. It also helps to give you the best fuel economy. Unfortunately, many do not realize how tires affect gas mileage and do not bother with tire balance and rotation.

 

 

When new, your vehicle had tires that are exactly the size the manufacturer intended. Most range from about 13 inches wide to about 16 inches wide on big sedans. Trucks can have even larger tires, but often stay at about 15 inches wide to 17 inches wide. Many people, though, will mount tires that exceed manufacturer recommendations. They might do it for style, or to give them better traction when off-roading or in bad weather. No matter the reason, oversized tires will create more friction and weight on your wheels, times four. That adds up to reduced fuel economy.

 

United Tire has 13 independently owned tire shops in the greater Philadelphia area. You can schedule a tire service as soon as today and ensure your car gets the best gas mileage with the right tires on your vehicle. We have a great waiting are with TV, Wi-Fi, coffee and beverages to keep you entertained while we take care of your tires. United Tire is an active part of  our local communities and always strives for outstanding service.

 

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