Shedding Pounds Could Ease 'Pain At The Pump'

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- Are you looking for another good reason to shed a few pounds? According to a new study, losing weight could save you money at the gas pump.

The study, conducted by Allstate Insurance and the Cars.com website, shows that for every 50 pounds inside a vehicle fuel efficiency decreases by one-percent.

Researchers say eventually manufacturers will get rid of CD players, which weigh five pounds, and replace them with MP 3 players. Cars.com editor in chief Patrick Olsen said the issue of spare tires, in a vehicle and around your waist, should also be considered.

"Well every American spare tire is adding to their cost. So they need to find ways to get rid of the one in the trunk and the one on them," he said. "So that's why it's important whether just for yourself and health reasons, but also it's gonna have an impact on how much it costs you to fill your car up for the entire year."

In relation to vehicles, Olsen said in the future he sees manufacturers reducing vehicle weight by replacing the spare tire with an air pump or quick patch solution.

It's also predicted that booklet forms of vehicle owner's manuals will be replaced with flash drives.

With more than one-third of U.S. adults considered obese, passenger weight has only been growing. According to the study, between 1960 and 2002, an extra one billion gallons of gasoline were used due to the weight gain of motorists.