When shopping for automobile tires, you should be familiar with the term “rolling resistance.” That’s the force that must be overcome to move the tires forward.

Tires with a low rolling resistance can save you more than $100 a year in fuel costs. High rolling resistance can lower your gas mileage by 1 or 2 miles per gallon.

The best tires to buy are highly rated with a low rolling resistance. It’s measured as a rolling resistance coefficient. Look for a number that is .01 or less. Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Michelin are good brands to look at. But, the same size tires can have a big difference in rolling resistance. Ask for the rating specifically…and save some money.

New cars usually come with tires with a low rolling resistance. The dealers want to promote as high a milage number as possible. Replacement tires don’t have the same ratings.

Homework Houston tip: Try to find the exact same tire that was original to your car. It’s going to get you the best mileage. The car manufacturer has already done that homework for you.

Also, keep the tires properly inflated. Rolling resistance increases when your tires are underinflated. Every pound of air your tire is underinflated costs you one mile per gallon.