Letting the air out from new California tire inflation rules

We have long advocated checking your tire pressures monthly both as a safety measure and to maximize your fuel economy and tire life. Californians may have even more reason to get in the habit, however due to a new tire inflation rule. And if they don’t, their auto service provider will be required to do it for them.

In its latest effort to combat global warming, a new rule in the state of California requires all businesses that —provide automotive service -- except car washes, body shops, auto parts stores, and glass repair companies -- to check and correct the tire pressures. Shops will set their own prices for this service, though drivers can decline to have it done. The rule will take effect in July 2010.

The state cites federal studies that show every three psi that tires are under inflated reduces fuel economy by 1 percent. In our own tire tests, we found that the fuel mileage drop was negligible with tires 10 psi under their recommended inflation in highway driving. But keep in mind that under inflated tires compromise handling and braking, and wear faster.

Statewide, California says that the measure will annually:

• Eliminate 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce the state's fuel consumption by 75 million gallons.
• Extend the average tire's useful life by 4,700 miles.

According to the Sacramento Bee newspaper, that will only account for 0.5 percent of the state’s greenhouse-gas saving goal by 2020.

Read "Have you checked your tire pressure lately?" For more information on tires, including Ratings, from Consumer Reports visit our tire section.

—Eric Evarts

Comments

[Tom Magdaleno]

Its sad that nobody knows a thing about maintaining their car and they have to enact laws to force shops to do it.