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The reason to check your tire pressure is usually explained with some nearly unbelievable statistical comparison. If everyone checked their tire pressure once a month, for instance, we could save enough fuel to build comfortable cities on the moon for future generations. The fact is checking tire pressure is really easy to do, and can genuinely help save a few bucks  worth of fuel along with your tires.

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Tires can lose a few pounds of pressure a month just sitting. Hitting chuckholes or traveling on rough roads can accelerate pressure loss. Deep freeze weather can also cause tires to lose a few pounds all by themselves. Unless your name is Bibendum, you can’t determine tire pressure just by looking. Checking tire pressure requires a gauge.

Since the recommended tire pressures are measured cold by the manufacturer, this is also when operating tire pressure must be checked. Run tires with the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. These numbers may vary front to rear, or according to vehicle load. The pressure number on the side of the tire is maximum tire pressure, not the operating pressure!

Check pressure when the tires are cold. If you have to drive to a gas station for air, choose one within a mile from the driveway or parking spot. Start by removing the cap on the tire valve.

Tire gauges come in all manner of types and sizes. The key is to use the same gauge all the time for consistency. Push the tire pressure gauge down onto the valve and hold until it gives a reading. The one at the gas station will always be broken.

Add air if pressure is below vehicle manufacturers recommendations, and depending on load. These recommended pressures can be found on the driver side door, or on a sticker inside the glove box.

Too much pressure? The nub on the backside of the tire pressure gauge is designed to push in the valve and let air out of the tire for pressure adjustment. Recheck pressure with gauge.

Replace the cap and check the other three tires. Checking the spare is a good idea. A flat spare tire can cause excessive swearing. Spares usually have their own recommended pressure on the tire itself.

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