California ARB Adopts Tire Pressure Regulation to Reduce GHG Emissions
26 March 2009
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a regulation that will require California’s automotive maintenance industry to check the tire pressure of every vehicle they service. Effective July 1, 2010, this rule is one of 44 early action measures required by AB 32, California’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction law.
The 40,000 service providers subject to the regulation include smog check stations, engine repair facilities and oil service providers. Those not included are car wash, body and paint, and glass repair businesses.
Estimated annual impact of the regulation is:
- Elimination of 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Reduction of the state’s fuel consumption by 75 million gallons;
- Extension of the average tire’s useful life by 4,700 miles.
The cost of implementing the regulation balanced with the benefits from the measures will save the average Californian $12 per year, according to ARB. About 38% of vehicles on the road in California today have severely under inflated tires, six pounds under manufacturer’s recommendations. As well as seriously reducing the vehicle’s handling capabilities, under inflation can cause irreparable damage, reduce tread life and force the engine to work harder thus increasing the amount of fuel needed.
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