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To maintain the proper air pressure in your tires takes very little effort. By doing that simple chore, you can save 4% on your annual gas costs. It is estimated that a 4% savings equates to between $100 and $200 per year. Just follow the advice listed here and start saving. The correct tire pressure is different from car to car and from tire to tire. The correct or manufacturer recommended pressure for the tires on personal vehicles can be from 20 psi to over 50 psi. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the information placard. This placard is normally located on the edge of one of the doors, the inside post of one of vehicle's doors or inside the glove compartment, trunk, or fuel door. Your owner's manual should include the correct tire pressure or direct you to the placard's location on your vehicle. A common misconception is that the pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. It is not. It is actually the maximum tire pressure that the tire can safely be inflated to. This is also usually the pressure that is required to carry the maximum load the tire is rated for. When you find the information listing the correct tire pressure, you need to physically measure air pressure in all four tires to guarantee they are inflated properly. There are a few steps involved in doing this correctly. To measure and maintain proper tire pressure: Step 1: First and foremost you need a tire pressure gauge. This may seem obvious but many people think they can tell if a tire is low by sight. I would not recommend that. You don't need an expensive gauge. One with a dial is easier to use than the kind with the pop up. Step 2: Check the tire air pressure informational sticker or the car operating manual to determine the manufacturer suggested pressure for your tires. Once you have that information you can proceed with the actual measurement. Step 3: A tire that is hot, or has just been driven on will have a higher air pressure than that same tire when it is cold. A cold tire is one that has not been driven for at least 3 hours or has been driven 1 mile or less. Air pressure should only be measured when tires are cold. If you measure warm tires your results will be faulty. Step 4: Press the pressure gauge onto the valve after removing the valve cap. Be sure the gauge is lined up with the valve properly and press hard so that the pressure gauge seals tightly on the valve. If you hear the whoosh of air escaping disengage the pressure meter from the valve and reseat it.You should not hear any air movement if you have the gauge properly seated. When it is seated correctly you can take the reading on the gauge. Step 5: Add air to achieve recommended air pressure. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve, then re-measure the pressure. Step 6: Repeat this same step by step procedure for the other tires. It only takes one low tire to rob you of fuel economy, so you need to measure all the tires. The standard recommendation that tire experts suggest is to check your tire pressure at least once per month. The tire pressure will change from day to day as air permeates from the tire over time. Heat and driving conditions can accelerate the rate that air pressure is lost. If you are able to check the pressure once each month you can be sure that the tires on your car will remain at the proper pressure all the time. Check your tires. Follow the steps above. There is no easier way to put $100 to $200 dollars of gas costs back into your pocket.
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