| Tire pressure and condition is one of the | | | | stations will check your tires for free). |
| most overlooked safety aspects on our cars. | | | | |
| Most people just assume their tires are fine | | | | To properly check your tires pressure you |
| and that they will be safe because they look | | | | must use a tire pressure gauge. Going by |
| fine - the tires are not flat and the car | | | | touch isn't good enough. Just because the |
| runs. Rarely do we ever see someone get out | | | | tire doesn't look flat doesn't mean it isn't |
| of their car and check their tire pressure or | | | | improperly inflated. Your car or trucks |
| place their hands on the tire and feel for | | | | owners manual and tire manuals in your glove |
| problems with their tire condition. What most | | | | box will tell you the recommended tire |
| people don't know is that proper tire | | | | pressure for your tires. Check all four tires |
| pressure will improve your gas mileage, make | | | | and your spare. Remember your spare if it is |
| your brakes and suspension system last | | | | a doughnut or half sized spare may have |
| longer, and it will improve your gas mileage. | | | | different pressure requirements (see your |
| It will also make you safer. According to | | | | owners manual). You wouldn't believe the |
| AAA, it is best to have your tires pressure | | | | number of people that assume their spare is |
| and condition checked for driving safety | | | | fine and haven't checked it in several years. |
| every time you fill up your gas tank and | | | | Some don't even know if they have a spare or |
| prior to any long drives or vacations. | | | | tire changing tools like the jack and lug |
| | | | wrench. Some people don't even know where to |
| Before checking your tire pressure you should | | | | look for their spare tire or how to even |
| check your tires condition. Your tires are | | | | change a tire. |
| what holds you to the road and if there are | | | | |
| any problematic wear patterns, bubbles and | | | | Most tire pressure gauges have an indicator |
| cracks, etc your driving safety can and will | | | | that will be raised by the amount of pressure |
| be greatly compromised. Look over all your | | | | in your tire. More expensive ones are |
| tires and your spare. Place the palm of your | | | | digital. Both are rudimentary and easy to use |
| hand on the tire and feel it is it round? | | | | and can easily and cheaply be obtained at gas |
| This may sound obvious, but you can quickly | | | | stations and car parts stores. If you find |
| find early signs of cupping (which can | | | | you are under inflated most gas stations have |
| indicate bad struts), irregular wear (could | | | | an on site air pump. Fill and check again to |
| be improperly balanced wheels), cracks, and | | | | ensure proper pressure. Do not go by the air |
| deep wear that would make your tires unsafe. | | | | pumps gauge if it has one. It has been abused |
| | | | and is probably incorrect. Always replace the |
| Take out a penny and make sure President | | | | caps on your tire stems when you are done. |
| Lincolns head is covered by the tread. If it | | | | This keeps the elements out and corrosion can |
| isn't that means you need to replace your | | | | and does cause leaks. If you have too much |
| tires as they are worn too low. Every time I | | | | pressure then let some out by pressing a key |
| go to the local grocery store half of the | | | | or screwdriver into the release valve and |
| cars I see have bald or nearly bald tires and | | | | then check it again. If your tires have too |
| tires in bad condition and replacement. This | | | | much pressure it can cause them to |
| can cause hydroplaning and very unsafe | | | | prematurely wear in the middle and reduce the |
| driving conditions if the roads were wet from | | | | actual surface area of the tire that meets |
| a recent rain. If you notice anything | | | | the road and can reduce your driving safety. |
| irregular take your car to a service station | | | | |
| or tire store. Have your tire condition | | | | There you have it, how to properly check your |
| checked and have your tires replaced as | | | | tires condition and pressure for increased |
| necessary as your driving safety may be | | | | driving safety. By having safe tires you are |
| compromised by worn tires or another serious | | | | increasing both your driving safety and the |
| tire condition (Walmart's tire service | | | | driving safety of those around you. |