Sky high gas prices is causing drivers to find ways to lower their fuel bill. The tire store may be one of the best ways of saving money at the gas pump.

Many American drivers have never heard of “tire efficiency.” That little bit of ignorance may be costing them big time at the gas pump.

There are no standardized ratings available to help car buyers make good decisions. That will eventually change, as the Federal Government has legislated tire manufacturers must label tires for fuel efficiency. Regulations call for a program that would create a national labeling system.

This process would be an energy efficiency system for rating household appliances similar to Energy Star. Tire manufacturers have spent millions on research and development of more fuel-efficient tires.

Today’s tires are far more efficient than tires were in 1975. Rolling resistance, which refers to the power is lost as rolling tires flex and change shape, has been eliminated by as much as 50%. Tire efficiency was also greatly improved with the introduction of radial tires.

Furthermore advances in tread patterns and the use of lighter rubber compounds further improved efficiency.

Efficiency can still vary by as much as half from tire to tire, reducing fuel mileage by more than 10 percent. That’s why experts say the mandated minimum standards could help reduce the amount of fuel used in the US by billions of gallons.

Until those minimum standards actually appear, the consumer is left in the dark with no way of knowing which tire will deliver the most gas savings for their car.

The best a car owner can do is remember these tips from the Motor Vehicle Department.

1. Some sources claim tires properly inflated to manufacturer’s specs can improve your mileage by 3.3% according to studies. Other testing sources claim it makes little difference. Prove it for yourself.
2. Consider buying the same model and brand of tire, which came as original equipment on your car at replacement time. Manufacturers know new cars will be thoroughly tested and rated by consumer-level magazines, right down to the performance of the tire.
3. Oversize wheels and rims weigh more and are wider than stock tires. This increases the surface area touching the road, creating more friction. Both work to reduce gas mileage.
4. Worn tires are actually more efficient than brand new ones, so don’t replace tires until you have to. Stick a penny in the groove of the tire treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it's time to replace the tires.
5. Don’t fill tires with nitrogen instead of air. There’s still no definitive data showing that filling tires with nitrogen improves either mileage or tire wear. Until the data is in, it’s probably not worth the extra expense.
6. If you live in a dry climate, don't buy rain tires. Water-shedding or off-road-mud tread patterns often burn more fuel. If you live in a snowy climate, do buy snow tires and drive slowly for maximum efficiency.
   
7. If your tires show uneven tread wear, you may have alignment, balance or parts problems:
   

• If one edge of your tire is more worn than the other, and has a "feathered" appearance, you have an alignment problem.
  
• If the tire appears to be "cupped," you may have damaged parts (possibly defective shocks or struts) or you may not be keeping your tires properly balanced. Any of these situations will reduce your fuel efficiency.
  

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