The NAS made that recommendation in its 134-page report on tire rolling resistance, issued yesterday.

A copy of the report is available at: http://www.trb.org/publications/sr/sr286.pdf.
 
Requested by Congress in late 2004, the NAS study examined how tire rolling resistance affects vehicle fuel economy and considered tire performance trade-offs, potential fuel saving and potential costs to consumers of additional tire purchases.
 
Among its findings, NAS said that tire rolling resistance may be reduced by 10% through a combination of improved tire technology, shifts in consumer purchases and improved tire maintenance.

The report recommended that consumers be provided with information about tire rolling resistance to aid them in tire purchases – similar to the existing UTQG treadwear, traction and temperature rating system. However, the NAS report offered no ideas on how that could be accomplished.

RMA also said it “particularly supports” the NAS statement that maintaining proper tire inflation pressure would make a considerable impact on tire fuel efficiency.

TIA has not weighed in on the study’s findings.