The short answer is yes, but not as much as you would think. There are several factors that affect how many miles you can get per gallon of gasoline:
- The weight of your car. The heavier the vehicle, the more force it takes to propel it forward. This means that there’s a larger amount of energy being used from your gas tank, which means there’s less miles per gallon.
- The aerodynamics of your car. Is your vehicle built like an arrow or a brick? Vehicles with better aerodynamics allow air to flow around it and are able to push through the wind at higher speeds with less effort than boxier cars. More force means more fuel used, which means fewer miles per gallon for you!
- Your driving habits. Are you accelerating slowly and braking gently? Does every press on the gas pedal feel like pressing down on a balloon filled with syrup? Driving smoothly without any sudden movements is important if you want to save gas; this way, less energy from each drop gets lost in transition instead going straight into moving forward without wasting any momentum along the way–and we all know how dangerous that can be!
Tire Pressure Affects Gas Mileage
You know how your car rides on four wheels, and those wheels are covered by tires? And the tires are the only part of the car that directly touches the road? Well, believe it or not, but there’s a little more to it than that. Okay, a lot more. When you get into all of the science behind it—physics and such—it gets a bit complicated. But as it turns out, this relationship between your car and its tires has serious implications for its fuel efficiency.
So here’s a helpful hint: make sure your tires are properly inflated! The right pressure is key to keeping them in good shape and helping you achieve better gas mileage.
When they’re under-inflated, each of those rotating circles requires more force (from your engine) to move forward; under-inflated tires resist motion at much higher rates than fully-inflated ones do. This makes them less efficient when rolling down the road; they need more energy (from gasoline) to keep going. So if one or two of your tires are slightly deflated, that’s an extra burden for your engine whenever you step on the gas pedal…not to mention an extra expense at the pump!
Common Reasons for Poor Tire Pressure
There are several reasons your tire pressure drops over time. Tires leak naturally, and some tires lose more air than others. If you notice that the pressure drops from one day to the next, it’s probably due to normal air loss, which occurs when molecules in the air seep through the rubber of your tire.
This means that you should check your tire pressure at least once a month, or whenever you notice a change in your vehicle’s handling performance. You should also check it before any long distance trips—if your tires are underinflated, they will generate more heat while driving and could potentially lead to a blowout as you travel down the highway.
As you fill up at home or stop by a gas station for an oil change, take a few minutes to check your tire pressure and add more air when needed.
Low Tire Pressure Wears Down Your Tires Quickly
It’s important that your tires be inflated to the recommended PSI. This will ensure you get the best performance from them and make sure they last longer. In fact, if you drive around with underinflated tires, they can wear down more quickly than usual. That’s because, when a tire is underinflated, more of it touches the road when you’re driving. So more of it wears down every time you hit the gas pedal, which causes it to wear out sooner than usual.
Under-inflated tires can increase stopping distance by up to 10 percent.
Under-inflated tires can increase stopping distance by up to 10 percent.
As well as increasing the risk of tire failure, under-inflation reduces the tire’s life, increases fuel consumption and results in an increase in CO2 emissions. It also creates a hazard to other road users if part of the tread or shoulder is worn away.
How to Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
You should also take the time to check your tire pressure once a month. Checking once a month will allow you to get to know your car’s normal pressure and catch any changes before they become too significant. You should also check tire pressure before going on any long trips—especially if it is the winter or summertime. It’s recommended that you check tire pressure when the tires are “cold.” This means that you shouldn’t check tire pressure immediately after driving, as the tires will still be warm from friction caused by being in motion.
To check your tire pressure, all you need is a tire pressure gauge, which can usually be purchased for as little as $10 at an auto shop. For most vehicles manufactured in recent years, this is all you need. If you have an older vehicle, you might also need a valve stem cap removal tool (usually included with most gauges).
Use an air pump at your local gas station to add air if needed. If necessary, consult your owner’s manual or search online for what PSI (pounds per square inch) level is ideal for your car and specific tires.
Maintaining a healthy tire pressure is the key to good gas mileage.
Maintaining a healthy tire pressure is the key to good gas mileage. It’s recommended by many experts that you check your tire pressure regularly, at least once a month. The best time to do this is in the morning before you’ve driven your car, since driving causes tires to heat up and expand, which can lead to an inaccurate reading on your tire gauge. Keeping a gauge in your car makes it easy to check all four tires as well.
