Tire Pressure Matters  

How often do you check your tire pressure? If you are like the majority of drivers, it is not nearly often enough. And that is a problem because tires are one of your car's most important safety devices right after the brakes. So why is either too much or too little pressure a bad thing?

• Too much pressure reduces the footprint of the tire. This means that less of the tire hits the road while driving, which creates more bouncing and less traction, and can seriously impact stopping distances.
  
• Too little pressure means more of your tire touches the pavement, and that increases friction and uneven wearing. It also increases the chances of overheating and tread separation both of which can lead to reduced control in braking and cornering.

Always check your owner's manual or the sticker on the door jam of the car for the recommended tire pressure: Don't go by what's arked on your tires. That number is the maximum allowable air pressure and it can be a lot higher than what is actually right for your vehicle.