Underinflated tires are a leading cause of poor fuel economy. Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by up to 3%, according to fueleconomy.gov, the official U.S. government source for fuel economy information. Checking tire pressure monthly takes less than five minutes and costs nothing beyond a tire gauge.
Gas prices fluctuate, but one habit consistently helps drivers get more miles per gallon: maintaining proper tire pressure. It's an easy fix that many drivers overlook, yet it directly affects how hard your engine has to work to move your car forward.
Why does tire pressure affect gas mileage?
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, so your engine burns more fuel to maintain the same speed. According to fueleconomy.gov, for every 1 psi drop in average tire pressure across all four tires, gas mileage decreases by about 0.2%. While that might sound minor, the effect compounds. A tire that's significantly underinflated—even by 10 psi—can noticeably increase how often you fill up at the pump.
Beyond fuel savings, properly inflated tires last longer and perform more safely, reducing blowout risk and improving handling in wet or slippery conditions.
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