AKRON, Ohio, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you one of the many Americans suffering from sticker-shock ... at the gas pump? Shaking your head at the national average of $3.18 per gallon for regular? Worried about your gas mileage and the cost of traveling this summer?
How would you like to save about $2.00 every time you fill-up? If so, you're not alone. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has kicked off its second annual national "Free Air" Campaign that has the potential to save American motorists more than $1.5 billion in unnecessary fuel costs this summer.
With many Americans on the verge of long-distance summer driving trips and the price of gas likely to remain high, motorists all over the country will be looking for ways to make vehicle fuel mileage work in their favor. One of the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways to improve a vehicle's gas mileage is through proper tire inflation.
The Goodyear "Free Air" Campaign is designed to help consumers maximize their fuel economy and also improve their tires' performance and efficiency. Motorists can have their tires -- regardless of brand or where they were bought -- inspected for free at any of the 750 Goodyear-owned and at participating Goodyear independent retail locations across the country.
The free tire check includes an inspection of tread condition and tire inflation. If tires are underinflated, they will be filled to recommended levels at no charge. No appointment is necessary.
"Rising fuel prices will continue to have a dramatic impact on many of us throughout the busy summer driving season," said Joey Viselli, director, Goodyear brand. "We want America to know that being proactive can make a huge difference when it comes to increasing gas mileage and saving money at the pump."
"When gas prices are this high, it's easy to see why tire maintenance is so important. A tire that is underinflated doesn't roll as smoothly or as easily and the increased rolling resistance requires more energy, which robs the vehicle of fuel efficiency," added Viselli.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gasoline prices rose by more than 60 cents per gallon over the last two months alone. Industry experts are predicting that drivers could pay as much as $4.00 per gallon in some states as summer nears.
What does that mean for the average American motorist? Consider these figures:
-- Underinflated tires alone cost the country approximately 3.5 million
gallons of gasoline each day. According to those figures, that will
amount to nearly 392 million gallons over the 16 week summer driving
season or the equivalent of more than 20 million barrels of crude oil.
At a projected average of $4.00 per gallon, motorists could pay more
than $1.5 billion dollars this summer in unnecessary fuel costs.
(Source: US Department of Energy)
-- One in every three cars in the U.S. has at least one underinflated
tire. That means more than 45 million people in the U.S. are driving
with underinflated tires. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration)
-- The average consumer could improve their gas mileage by 3.3% by simply
keeping their tires inflated to the proper pressure. For the average
driver in the U.S. (15 gallon fuel tank) that's a savings of about
$2.00 on every fill-up. (Source: US Department of Energy)
-- For the average American SUV, a 3.3% improvement in mileage translates
to nearly 8 additional miles per tank-full and for the average
passenger car; it is even more, nearly 10 more miles per fill up.
(Source: US Department of Energy)
-- Only 19% of drivers properly check their tire pressure, and more than
half of all motorists do not even know their proper inflation number or
where to find it. In fact, further data reveals that 70% of U.S.
drivers are likely to wash their cars each month, while only 14%
properly check their tire pressure. (Source: Rubber Manufacturers
Association)
"With the free air pump disappearing from gas stations across the country, consumers have to look harder for a place to inflate their tires ... and likely end up paying for it at a coin-operated pump," continued Viselli. "A consumer's best bet is to find a knowledgeable tire professional to help them get the most fuel efficiency out of their tires."
For more information about Goodyear's broad selection of tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs, and more, visit www.goodyeartires.com.
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