Inflating Tire Pressure is Not a Viable Energy Solution

I agree that it is a good idea for everyone to try to live in a way that is more energy efficient, but come on, inflating your tires is not a national energy plan, or a national economic plan. I wonder after a few fillups where Bill's tire pressure is now?

In late July I pulled my 4-cylinder, '96 Toyota 4Runner with about 130,000 miles into the local tire retailer and asked for their recommendation. They suggested increasing the pressure in the fairly new 6-ply tires from 27 psi to 40 psi. I did it.

As an obsessive analyzer, I just checked the results — comparing gas consumption for the four fill-ups before increasing the tire pressure to the four fill-ups after. Before and after mileage both represented slightly over 1,100 miles driven on a mixture of forest roads, city streets and highways.

Gas mileage increased from 21.7 to 23.7 mpg, an increase of 8.9 percent. For every 1,000 miles that's a savings of 3.75 gallons and, at $4 per gallon, $15. Although I drive only 10,000 miles a year, this represents a yearly savings of over 37 gallons and $150. And the air pressure was free.

Imagine what those savings could mean nationally for family budgets, climate change and energy independence. I'll be contributing that $150 to the Obama campaign.

Bill Yake, Olympia

From the Olympian letters to the editor October 11, 2008.