Maintaining Tire Pressure

Tire pressure may not seem like a big deal, but it can have a huge impact on the life of your tires — not to mention the life of your checking account. Did you know that underinflated tires can mess with your gas mileage? It's true. And bad gas mileage + the cost of fuel = you sad and broke. Find yourself a snazzy tire gauge and check those tires. It's definitely worth it.

• Use a reliable tire gauge to check your tires when they are cold. That means the tire has been driven less than a mile, or has been stationary for at least three hours.
• Where do you find what pressure is right for your tires? You can find the tire inflation pressure numbers in your vehicle's owner's manual, the sticker on the door jamb or the glove box door.
• Unscrew the small tire valve cap that covers the valve stem on the wheel.
• Place the end of the tire gauge over the valve, press the tire gauge straight down and firmly until the scale extends.
• If needed, add air and recheck pressure with the tire gauge. Replace the valve cap. Don't overdo it as over-inflation is dangerous!
• Tires can lose one pound per square inch (psi) every month, and for every 10°F temperature drop, a tire can lose one pound of inflation pressure, so it is important that you check your tires once a month.
• If American drivers maintained their tires at the recommended inflation pressure, motorists could save more than 2 billion gallons of gasoline every year. Not only that, if your tires are under-inflated they will wear out sooner and you'll have to replace them, costing you even more money.

Checking Your Tire Treads

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, don't forget to check your tires. Yes, your tires. They're the only things connecting you and your car to the asphalt. Puts things in a new perspective, doesn't it?

Industry experts recommend that drivers check their tires for signs of wear every month. And it's easy to do. No special tools needed. Just grab a penny (from underneath your seat, inside your couch cushion or out of your pocket) and insert it into the tire tread, with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn and the tire should be replaced.

That's it! And since that was so easy, take a few minutes to check the air pressure in your tires too.