One of the costliest (and what can be more frequent than welcome) maintenance expenses is tires. It does not have to be this way. Take care of your tires and you will save a lot of money. The number one contributor to saving your tires is maintaining the correct air pressure.
Gauge
One of these little gauges (available at T.E. Parolin for a mere $10.95!) is crucial.
Spec plate
Inside the door jamb, gas cap or owner's manual of every car is the recommended inflation pressure. Our technicians are trained to follow this spec. Car owners should follow it as well.
Typically there will be two pressures listed: one for "max vehicle load" and one for normal operation. So unless you are loaded down for a big family vacation you should concern yourself with the latter.
Many cars will have a different setting front and rear. Check all four tires and make sure they match what is stated for the normal pressure, or the non-max vehicle load.
It is a good idea to do this more than once a month. The best practice would be to make a habit of checking the tire pressures every time you are getting gas. This process does add about two minutes to an already busy day but with the ever increasing size of wheels, and with run-flat tires being more common, it is a worthwhile investment of time.
Taking tire pressure
Wait! Maybe that last statement wasn't clear enough: CHECKING YOUR TIRE PRESSURES REGULARLY WILL INCREASE THE LIFE OF THE TIRES AND PREVENT UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. Let's keep that shiny chariot of yours running well and costing you less in the years to come!
