Keeping your car in shape

Studies show most motorists don't keep the tyres on their vehicles properly inflated. Yet it's one of the easiest maintenance tasks - and one of the most beneficial for your car.

Follow the book: Tyres should be inflated according to the carmaker's recommendations. Check your owner's manual.

Don't just look: You can't rely on visual inspections to determine whether a tyre is properly inflated. Use a tyre pressure gauge.

Check 'em out: Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month and before any long trip.

Keep things under control: A slow leak might seem like a mere annoyance, until it develops into a blowout. If you have a slow leak, get it fixed.

Watch where you're going: Running over innocent looking trash here and there might not puncture your tyre, but it can affect the sidewall, for example, and set up a future leak.