
Jul 18, 2008 3:59 pm US/Pacific
Save With Dave: Tires
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
When you hear the word "inflation" these days, it usually means you'll be paying more for something.
But in tonight's Save With Dave, it could help keep money in your pocket.
We're talking about the proper inflation of your car's tires.
Most people don't bother checking the pressure and it's probably costing them money.
It only takes a few seconds to check the pressure.
But the California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates 25% of cars don't have tires pumped up properly.
"just a few pounds of pressure underinflated can actually waste a little over 3-percent of the gas that you're using."
You should check your tires at least once a month to make sure they're at the recommended pressure.
And don't forget the spare. You don't want it to be flat when you need it most.
With proper inflation and regular rotations, your tires will last longer, giving you more miles for your buck and reducing the number sent to the landfill.
"In California, we go through approximately 42-million waste tires every year. We're doing a pretty good job at recycling these tires, but there's still some out there about 10-million tires that are unaccounted for right now."
Check the tires when they're cold; that gives you the most accurate reading.
And the 3% increase in mileage you get from proper inflation will save the typical California driver about $100 a year in gas alone.
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