A fresh set of professionally installed new tires can make you feel like youre sitting pretty. Theyve never been used. They were installed by a professional. What else is there for you to do? While many people may assume that theyre off the hook for tire-related maintenance, at least for a good long while, that is actually far from true. If youre hoping that they will last for as long as possible, then youd best be prepared to haul out your tire pressure gauge and use it.

Maintaining the right inflation is one of the best ways to keep your new tires from wearing down. It will maintain the tread, prevent cracks in the tire wall and will enhance their performance, too. Fortunately, it doesnt actually take much effort on your part to get the job done.

Start by learning the ideal inflation level for your tires for regular street driving. Unlike what you may have been told, that is not the maximum inflation number on the side of the tires themselves. Most vehicles have the information printed either within the owners manual or on a sticker on the drivers side door jamb (or both). That is the best source of information about proper inflation. Once you know it, you can use a pressure gauge to get a reading from all four tires.

This will need to be done on a regular basis, as even the best tires will lose pressure over time, and fluctuations in temperature will also make a surprising difference. Only a few degrees can shift your pressure by more than a pound. If you dont keep up with these changes, you can reduce the handling of your vehicle and can cut the lifespan of your tires by up to a quarter not to mention burning through more gas and costing you at the pump!

Because youre looking for precision, then its a good idea for you to make sure youre using the tire pressure gauge from a high quality manufacturer. This will allow you to know, for certain, that youve obtained the most accurate reading, right down to the pound. After all, you dont want to have to continue to add to or take away from your tire inflation if your pressure gauge is only giving you a reading of in around what it should be. You need to know for certain. Taking great care of your new tires starts with having the right tools on your side.