Checking the tire pressure on your vehicle every month will help to keep your tires in top condition, reduce wear and tear, decrease the risk of a blowout, and maintain the best gas mileage.

You can check your tire pressure yourself by buying a traditional tire gauge at an auto parts store or by bringing your car into a tire store. Guidelines of the maximum and minimum tire pressure required for your vehicle can be found in the owner's manual as well as on the sticker of the driver-side door jamb.

Checking your tire pressure when the vehicle has driven less than a mile will ensure the most accurate reading.

To check your tire pressure, remove the cap from the tire's valve stem. Place the tire gauge on the valve stem and press down. The gauge will give you a reading. If the tire hisses, the gauge isn't properly placed; try again.

A service station will usually sell air for less than $1. To add air to your tires, put the air pump over the valve stem and fill the tire to about 5 PSI less than the maximum. As with the gauge, if you hear hissing, the pump isn't properly engaged.

A general rule of thumb is that the larger the vehicle, the higher the tire pressure should be: about 30 PSI for a compact, 40 PSI for a mid car, and 45 PSI for a large car.