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.

Tires

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.