One of the easiest ways to put a little extra money back into your own pocket is to save money on gas. There are many ways we can do this, but one of the quickest and most cost-effective tips is to drive with the properly inflated tires. According to environment.about.com, “tires are not inflated to the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating recommended by manufacturers; they are less “round” and require more energy to begin moving and to maintain speed. As such, under-inflated tires do indeed contribute to pollution and increase fuel costs.” Furthermore, according to fueleconomy.gov, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent simply by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure? Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Not only that, but properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

An informal study by students at Carnegie Mellon University found that the majority of cars on U.S. roads are operating on tires inflated to only 80 percent of capacity. All in all, it means that the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas, at a cost of $300-$500 a year. In times when we can all use money for more necessary spending like food and housing payments, we don’t need to be spending any extra at the pump.

Not sure how to check your tire pressure? Have your tires serviced by a trusted auto repair shop who offers a slew of tire services for a worthwhile and affordable cost. You will earn that money back and then some over time. Properly inflated tires are also safer on the road and your car will drive better. Those, too, seem to be pretty big pros for such a small change. Still need more incentive before heading to your local repair shop? Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at high speeds. Under-inflated tires make for longer stopping distances and will skid longer on wet surfaces. “Analysts point to under-inflated tires as a likely cause of many SUV rollover accidents. Properly inflated tires also wear more evenly and will last longer accordingly.” That right there is enough for most people. Visit a trusted repair shop for tire services and let the gas savings begin!