New Jersey Winter Driving Safety: The Tire Pressure Mistake To Avoid

There's that one light that comes on in my car, especially this time of year, and that's the tire pressure light.

On cold winter mornings, when I'm heading out early for work, I can almost count on it being on.

The drop in temperature overnight means my tire pressure runs low, and lately it feels like I'm constantly stopping to fill them back up.

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Staying safe on the road starts with the basics, and ensuring that your car's tires are properly inflated is a big one.

How Cold Weather Affects Tire Pressure And Safety

What can happen if your tires are underinflated? AAA explains what could happen when the tire sidewalls flex excessively, generating heat. While some heat accelerates tire tread wear, high heat can lead to loss of tread segments or even blowouts.

Just the thought of that happening on the Garden State Parkway, Route 9, or any New Jersey road is extremely scary.

Stay Safe This Winter By Checking Your Tire Pressure Regularly

Read More: Getting Stuck On The Road Made Me Realize Every New Jersey Driver Needs These Car Essentials

According to AAA, the ideal tire pressure for most vehicles is usually between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch).

The other day, my one tire was at 17 PSI, and when I stopped at Wawa, the line was pretty long at the air pump, with plenty of other people dealing with the same issue.

Driving in the winter, AAA says, it's better to over-inflate your tires by 3-5 PSI to offset pressure decreases in these cold New Jersey temperatures, but they also recommend checking your owner's manual for the recommended tire pressure.