Question:

How do I know when my tires are starting to go flat?

Answer:

In the “good old days,” you had to carry a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment, and that’s probably still a good idea. But today’s modern vehicles (dated 2008 and beyond) have technology that gives the driver an immediate indication on the vehicle’s dashboard when the tire pressure is low.

Here are a few good things to know about tire pressure:

• Your ideal tire pressure is typically about 30-35 pounds per square inch (PSI), but you can confirm the number by checking your owner’s manual or your driver’s side door post.
• An “eyeball” measurement of your tire pressure can be risky. It’s difficult to discern as much as 10 psi difference. And some tires look a little different than others, even at the same tire pressure.
• When inflating a tire, it’s usually safest to inflate in small increments. You don’t want to end up exploding the tire.

Bottom line: Proper tire pressure helps your tires to last longer, helps contact the road surface more evenly for better control and safety, and helps your car to get better gas mileage.