Near-Record Gas Prices Fuel Focus on Tire Inflation

AKRON, Ohio, March 18 -- U.S. drivers are currently paying among the highest fuel prices on record, and inflation is playing a big role at the pump.

The air pump, that is. Tires' importance at the gas pump also is growing as gas prices climb. As of early March, average U.S. retail gasoline prices had jumped by more than 54 cents versus year-earlier prices, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The pump price had risen to a nationwide average of $1.71 per gallon (regular grade), and as high as a $1.99 per gallon average on the West Coast.

When tire care is factored in, the rising fuel prices become even scarier.

"Running a tire 20 percent underinflated -- only 5 to 7 pounds per square inch -- can increase fuel consumption by 10 percent. That can easily cost motorists two or three miles per gallon. Not only that, but the tire's tread life is reduced by 15 percent," said John Peer, director of retail operations for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

If that's not enough, the Society of Automotive Engineers reports that 87 percent of all flat tires have a history of underinflation.

The Energy Department has reported that every pound per square inch of tire underinflation wastes 4 million gallons of gas daily in the U.S. At today's prices and with more vehicles on the road, that's a huge expense. An underinflated tire deflects more energy and increases rolling resistance, which robs the vehicle of fuel efficiency.

The escalating gasoline prices mirror the severity of tire underinflation. In the 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claimed that half the nation's cars had underinflated tires. Other studies stated that 25 to 28 percent had at least one tire "seriously underinflated" (4 psi or more below the manufacturer's recommendation).

According to 2002 research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, nearly 90 percent of drivers surveyed do not check their tire pressure properly and many do not know enough about how to care for their tires correctly. The survey also found that 66 percent of drivers don't even know where to find the recommended proper tire inflation pressure for their vehicles' tires.

Goodyear recommends that motorists should check tire inflation monthly or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the owner's manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

On www.goodyeartires.com , visitors will find extensive information on tire care, product selection and more. A section called "Know Your Tires" details how a tire is made and provides tire maintenance tips. Through a link, website visitors can request a copy of "The Complete Tire Safety Guide."

At Goodyear-owned tire and service outlets, Peer said consumers can have their tires checked for free, including an inspection of tread condition and tire inflation.