What is that light on the dashboard?  Your tire pressure monitoring system may be trying to tell you something.
When the weather turns colder you may notice the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light on your dashboard lights up more frequently. Check your tire pressure regularly during the winter to help keep the TPMS light off and your vehicle safe.

You may get TPMS warnings and get worried about your tires. Maybe you see this in the morning when it's coldest and you are on your way to work - a stress you don't need. If the temperature warms as you are on your way, the light could turn off but it's likely that tires will still be a few PSI under inflated. This is why it's important to check tire pressure regularly.

Here are some numbers:

According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, for every 10 degree drop in temperature, tire pressure decreases one to two pounds per square inch (PSI). Checking the tire pressure is important for vehicle safety, tire life and gas mileage.
Incorrect tire pressure can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every one PSI drop in pressure of all four tires and improve fuel efficiency by up to 3.3 percent when the correct tire pressure is maintained.
Check your tire pressure monthly. Know that newer cars with tire pressure monitoring systems may not alert you until the tire is significantly under-inflated, so you may want to check it more often.

Valve stem covers:

Check tire pressure whenever there is a significant weather change and more often during the winter months. If you drop or misplace a valve stem cover while checking your pressure you can buy replacements at an auto parts store or the auto aisle in a big box store - they are conveniently all one size.

Harsh winter weather can stress out the best drivers, your car does not need to add to your stress. Prepare your car for the elements - emergencies can happen and you can minimize your chances of an unplanned emergency.  

1. Battery - Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it's wise to check the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Because batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Antifreeze - Antifreeze (coolant) should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. As a reminder, do not add 100 percent antifreeze as full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water. 
3. Brakes - Have the brake system checked. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.
4. Tires - Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure, including the spare. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
5. Oil - Be diligent about changing the oil at recommended intervals and check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time. Consider changing to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. In sub-zero driving temperatures, drop oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.
6. Lights & Wipers – Make sure all exterior and interior lights are working so you can see and be seen. Check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir and replace wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don't properly clean your windshield.

The National Car Care council recommends a thorough vehicle inspection by a trusted professional service technician as winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

Important year round and even more important in winter months...

Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half-full to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

Your brakes may be trying to tell you something! Brakes are a normal part of wear on your car and they will eventually need to be replaced.  

Brake wear is affected by:

• driving habits
• operating conditions
•  vehicle type
• quality of the brake lining material

As brakes begin to wear you will be able to pick up signals that it is time to have them checked.

Be sure to avoid letting brakes get to the ‘metal-to-metal’ point as that can mean expensive rotor or drum replacement.

• Noise: screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes.
• Pulling: vehicle pulls to one side while braking.
• Low Pedal: brake pedal nearly touches the floor before engaging.
• Hard Pedal: must apply extreme pressure to the pedal before brakes engage.
• Grabbing: brakes grab at the slightest touch to the pedal.
• Vibration: brake pedal vibrates or pulses, even under normal braking conditions.
• Light: brake light is illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard.

Have a trusted mechanic check your brakes; when you have brake work completed your mechanic can show any parts that were replaced, such as rotors or pads.  

Chances are your car is one of your biggest investments and you depend on it to get you where you need to be every time you get behind the wheel.   How we use our cars now is different from years ago and the roads we drive on are not the roads of the "old days". 
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"Normal driving" is defined as steady driving in nonextreme weather or environments. Today, being a severe driver is more the rule than the exception. The automotive industry refers to “severe driving” as:

• Stop-and-go traffic;
• Short commutes;
• Heavier loads: cargo, passenger or towing a trailer;
• Rough or mountainous roads;
• Dusty or salty environments;
• Driving the car before it’s had a chance to warm up; and/or
• Driving in extremely hot or cold weather.

You should be aware of your vehicle and properly maintain and repair it so you can be safe and comfortable every time you are on the road. Proper maintenance helps you avoid more costly repairs down the road so your car can perform safely and dependably for years to come.​

Your check engine light comes on, maybe at the end of a long drive, or as you start your car to leave for work. Your car is telling you something!  Some dashboard indicators are pointing to an immediate problem, but how can you tell?

Not an immediate concern, but check with your mechanic if you check engine light is on and:

• Car is not making strange noises
• No smoke is present
• No strange smells or odors
• Gas mileage is usual
• Car seems to be behaving normally

Immediate problems that should be checked with your mechanic right away:

• Consistent rattle, knocking, or noise
• Smoke
• Loss of power
• A decline in gas mileage
• Car will not start (of course!)

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Back to school time is hectic for many families and for all drivers on the road as children head back to school. Prepare  your vehicle for safe rides to school by scheduling a complete vehicle inspection with a trusted mechanic. The inspection should include the following items:

1. Check lights and wipers for visibility. 

1. Get an annual brake inspection. 
2.  Check tires for under inflation or excessive wear.
3. Make sure everyone is buckled up. 

1. Consider a back-up detection device. 

Taking proper care as the season changes and catching up on any maintenance needs after summer driving will give you peace of mind heading into car pool season.