| Anyone who owns a car should also own a tire | | | | If tires are under inflated you use much more fuel |
| pressure gauge. Tire pressure gauges are used to | | | | than if they were filled correctly. If they are over |
| measure the air pressure that is in each tire. It is | | | | filled you run the risk of having a blow out. In the |
| useful for any type of tires from bicycles all the way | | | | winter it is often a practice to slightly under inflate |
| to pickup trucks. | | | | tires so that when in contact with winter elements |
| Pressure gauges come in different styles. The one | | | | they will stop better. It is questionable as to whether |
| most people have has a ball at one end and a long | | | | this actually works or not. |
| pencil like form with a slide that pops out when | | | | Keep your gauge in a dry and cool place. The glove |
| checking air pressure. The ball like area is a piston | | | | box is a good place to keep it so it is handy. Never |
| that fills with air from the tire when inserted into the | | | | drop a gauge because this can damage the |
| tire valve. When measuring it pops the slide out and | | | | measuring mechanism and you will no longer get a |
| you can see how much pressure is inside the tire. | | | | good reading. In general a tire gauge is not in need of |
| You can also get the type that has a dial that looks | | | | calibration so their readings are only close to accurate. |
| somewhat like a clock. There are also digital pressure | | | | There are those that can be calibrated but they cost |
| gauges where the number is shown on a screen. | | | | a lot more money. |
| Pressure gauges are relatively easy to use. On the | | | | Air pressure should be checked in tires on a regular |
| side of the tire near the hub cap you will find a stem | | | | basis because tires loose a little bit of pressure every |
| or a valve. There is usually a small cover that just | | | | day they are used. In winter, because of lower |
| twists off. Remove the cap and insert the gauge | | | | outdoor temperatures and because of pot holes in |
| pressing in firmly. You will hear a small escape of air | | | | the road, air pressure can diminish anywhere from 1 |
| and you can remove the gauge and see what the | | | | to 2 pounds of pressure per month. When it is hot |
| pressure is. It is advisable to check the tires before | | | | outside they go down more. Some people check |
| the vehicle has been running. This will give you a | | | | tires with a gauge every time they fuel up the car. |
| more accurate reading. | | | | That might be a little too much checking. Suffice it to |
| Not every tire takes the same amount of pressure. | | | | say that checking every three to four weeks will |
| It often depends on the tire size and how heavy the | | | | keep your tires in tip top condition and at the correct |
| vehicle is. You can find requirements on a sticker that | | | | tire pressure. |
| is usually yellow in color and placed in the door jam of | | | | You can find tire pressure gauges at any dollar store |
| the car door on the side of the driver. Sometimes | | | | for just one dollar. The digital style costs more at |
| pressure requirements are printed right on the tire on | | | | about $25. These are necessary for saving money on |
| the side wall. Other places manufacturers hide the | | | | gasoline and for keeping tires good longer. Gauges do |
| sticker is under the door for the fueling area and in | | | | not do any good if they stay in the glove |
| the glove compartment. PSI is the increment in which | | | | compartment so check your tires every once in a |
| air pressure is measured. It means pounds per square | | | | while and when you do always replace the valve cap |
| inch. Most car tires take about 30 to 40 pounds each | | | | when you are done adding air. |
| tire. | | | | |