Poor tire inflation is damaging our ecosystem. A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University found that the majority of U.S. tires are inflated to only 80 percent of their recommended inflation values. When tires are not properly inflated, they use more gas and release more pollutants into our atmosphere.
Here are some things you can do to lighten the eco-footprint your car leaves on the environment.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Know your tires' recommended inflation values. Then check the pressure in your tires monthly to make sure they are properly inflated. This simple practice can improve your mileage by as much as 3 to 4 percent.
The recommended pressure values for your tire are located near the tire's bead (next to the wheel itself). The psi (pounds per square inch) noted there is the pressure that should be in the tire when it is cold. Buying a tire inflation guage to check your tires' psi before you drive is, therefore, key.
Nitrogen Tire Inflation
Consider, too, filling your tires with nitrogen, rather than oxygen. Nitrogen-filled tires maintain proper pressure longer than oxygen-filled ones do. They also reduce the percent of water vapor, oxygen and other gases in your tires from about 22 percent to 7 percent or lower, keeping it more in balance with the air around us: 1 percent vapor and other gases, 21 percent oxygen, and 78 percent nitrogen.
Monitoring tire inflation will become considerably easier with the purchase of your next new car. The U.S. Congress has mandated that all car manufacturers, as of 2008, automatic tire inflation monitoring systems on all its new cars, SUVs and pickups.
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