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Ever noticed that little tire pressure light on your dashboard starts glowing more often as the weather gets colder? It's not just you, and it's not something to ignore. Cold air is denser, so when temperatures drop, the air in your tires contracts and takes up less space, making the pressure drop. It's a bit like when you take a deep breath on a cold day – it feels like you can't fill your lungs as much. This drop happens even if your tires are losing a bit of pressure every month from regular driving.

You might see the light fade away once you start driving and the tires heat up, but don't think your tires are fine. The light is just alerting you to a potential issue. Experts from the AAA recommend using an old-school tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure once a month. In winter, check it twice as often, especially early in the morning when your car has been sitting idle.

It's important to keep your tires at the right pressure. Underinflated tires make it harder to steer and stop, which can lead to accidents. They can also cause blowouts, sending pieces of tire flying and putting you and other drivers in danger. Low tire pressure also eats into your fuel efficiency and wears out your tires faster, adding to your car's maintenance costs.

So, what should you do? Grab a reliable tire gauge and check your tire pressure. Compare it to the levels recommended by your car's manufacturer, which you can find in the owner's manual or on the driver's door jamb. Don't dismiss that little light on your dashboard – it's there to keep you safe.

--- Chill in the Air: Why Your Tire Pressure Light is On

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