When was the last time you checked your tire pressure? If you are like most people, you’ve probably never checked. Did you know that tire pressure can affect your gas mileage? Or that it can improve your vehicles performance on the freeway?

That’s right; tire pressure can affect the mileage and performance of your vehicle. According to fueleconomy.gov, a joint venture between the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, properly inflated tires can save you up to three percent in gas mileage.

Checking your tire pressure should become a once-a-week routine. Going about checking you tire pressure is just as easy as checking your oil and you won’t even get your hands dirty. If you look on the side of your tire, you will see raised lettering indicating the maximum air pressure for your vehicle.  Your pounds per square inch or p.s.i, is the maximum amount of pressure the manufacturer suggests for your brand of tire. However, to know the correct tire pressure for your vehicle, you must look in the door jamb of where there is usually a sticker that indicates tire pressure.  If your car doesn’t, you can always look in your owner’s manual.

To check the tire pressure, you must have a tire pressure gauge. For those of you who don’t know, a tire pressure gauge is a device that gives you a reading of the p.s.i. inside your tire. If you don’t have one then you should probably get one. A tire pressure gauge doesn’t cost very much and you can purchase one at your local auto parts or hardware store for a few bucks.

Once you have your tire pressure gauge, locate the air stem which is sticking out of your rim and remove the cap exposing the valve. Check to see if the tires are cool, because if they’re hot, you will not get an accurate reading. Insert the tire pressure gauge over the opening of the stem valve and push down on the stem with the gauge to obtain a reading.

When you have obtained an accurate tire pressure reading, compare it to what was written inside your owner’s manual. If there is a significant difference, such as 5 pounds or more, then you need to add some air. Check all four tires to make sure they’re all at equal pressure.

If you need air, go to a gas station which has an air pump, or go to a local tire store and ask if they can fill up your tires.