“Go Green” Tip of the Week

Using less gasoline is good for the environment and will save you money. Did you know that properly inflating your car tires can increase your fuel efficiency? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, proper tire inflation can increase your gas mileage up to 3.3 percent, saving about nine cents per gallon at the gas pump. Proper tire inflation can also reduce tire wear, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve vehicle handling and safety.

Here are a few tips for keeping your tires properly inflated:

• Check your tire pressure at least once a month.
• Check for excessive or uneven wear on your tires when you check your pressure.
• Check the tire pressure when the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours. Driving warms the tires, causing the air pressure to increase and pressure readings to be inaccurate.
• Use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. This is usually found in the owner’s manual or vehicle certification label. Do not use the maximum pressure rating listed on the tire itself.

Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml for more tips on improving your fuel economy.