Does it seem like your car is riding a bit sluggish lately? Is it getting poor gas mileage? You might have some major issue to consider, but it might be something as simple as the pressure of your tires.
Cars are surprisingly stable vehicles. When you consider the beatings we give them, it is rather shocking that they start up every morning. We overheat them sitting in traffic. We accelerate like a NASCAR driver from one line, drive a couple hundred feet and then slam on the breaks for the next one. With a modicum of preventive maintenance including changing the oil in the car, these well designed machines will last for a very long time.
The one area where things are a bit finicky is the tires. The design of tires has come a long way, but one still cannot change the basic fact that tires are filled with a gas. Gas reacts to any number of elements, but is particularly sensitive to temperatures. When temperatures go up, gas expands. When it goes down, gas contracts. This can have a major impact on both the performance of your tires and how long they last.
When was the last time you checked the pressure in your tires? Be honest! You should be checking them every month. At an absolute minimum, you should check them when the seasons change. Why? Well, the changing season means changing temperatures. That means the pressure in your tires will go up or down as things warm up or cool off. This can lead to problems if you don't add or let out air accordingly.
As I sit here writing this article, we are in the dead of winter. The big news is the country is in a financial mess, but the second big news is a huge freezing storm that has caused temperatures to plummet. Did you check your tire pressure when summer flipped over to fall? How about when it started to really get cold? If not, the pressures in your tires may be five to 10 pounds low. This can lead to blowouts and poor performance. Do you really want to be on the side of the road with tire problems this winter?
Now for some practical matters. Most tires should be checked after driving for 5 minutes or so. The proper pressure for your tires is found in the owner's manual of your car, not on the tire itself. If you are lazy, just look at the back edge of the frame inside the driver's door. The numbers will be printed out there. Now buy a digital tire pressure gauge and give them a run through.
The most pivotal point of any car is where it touches the road. That would be your tires. Check them every month to make sure the pressure is right. It will provide you with the best ride and help your tires last as long as possible.
