We live in the age of gas-sipping hybrids and fuel-free electric vehicles. But even the greenest of cars, your driving habits can rob your ride of efficiency. But even beyond your tendency to speed up too quickly and brake too forcefully in your super-efficient hybrid, your tire pressure has more impact on your gas mileage than you might think. 

Your tire pressure is more than a safety concern; it can impact your gas mileage by a noticeable margin

It’s true. You can squeeze more out of the contents of your fuel tank by “hypermiling,” like keeping your abrupt changes in acceleration and braking to a minimum. However, the pressure in your tires makes a difference. 

According to the US Department of Energy, drivers can extend their gas mileage by as much as 3% by keeping their tires properly inflated. That means if you’re averaging 40 mpg, you can squeeze up to another 1.2 mpg out of your car by simply inflating and maintaining the pressure in your tires. 

If that’s not enough to persuade you, your gas mileage may drop by as much as 0.2% for every 1 psi of pressure that your tires are under-inflated. It’s more than dangerous to let your tire pressures fall; it could cost you money and sap fuel efficiency.

Can’t argue with the results

Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a test with a 2009 Toyota Corolla to expose the relationship between gas mileage and tire pressure. In the test, the Corolla drove at speeds between 40 and 80 mph with tires at proper inflation, 75% inflation, and 50% inflation.

At 65 mph, typical highway speeds in the United States, the Toyota Corolla managed 39.4 mpg. Not too shabby for a non-hybrid sedan. Although it was just five years old at the time of the test.

However, with 75% inflation, the Corolla’s gas mileage dropped to 38.5 mpg. At 50% proper inflation, the car returned just 36.8 mpg, almost three fewer than the same car at the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.

Go ahead. Give your dad a call and tell him he was right all those years he yammered on about tire pressure.