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