Rev up your engines! Today we'll start a series of tips that will run through different aspects of car care.

You've probably heard it before: check your tire pressure! Do you do it? How often? Properly inflated tires improve your gas mileage (conversely, if they are not inflated well, it reduces your mpg). You'll also reduce the wear and tear on your tires, helping them last longer. Oh, and did we mention it's safer, as well?

First things first, you'll need a tire gauge. If you don't have one, they cost less than $2 at the auto parts store. Pick one up and store it in your glove compartment (strange name, seeing as we never store our gloves there).

Now you need to know what the recommended tire pressure for your car is. You should be able to find the number on the inside of your driver's side door, in your car's manual, or online. In the USA, you're looking for the PSI. Depending on your car, the numbers could be anywhere from 26 to 40 for a cargo van. Some cars require a different level of inflation in the front as compared to the rear.

Next you'll need to measure the tire pressure with your handy gauge. Make sure to check when the tires are cool - meaning before you drive it. Measure each tire. If they are overinflated, you can release air by pushing on the tire valve stem with the edge of the gauge. If they are under inflated, you'll need to add air at a gas station. More complete instructions here and here. Repeat each month. Don't forget!

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 85% of tires are driven with too little air. Alaska Wilderness League said that causes us to waste 4 million gallons of gas every day. These stats come from an MSNBC article last year about a young girl named Savannah Walters that started a movement and a website, called Pump 'Em Up, six years ago. She was 9. Walters was quoted as saying, "I have a tool that costs about 99 cents that will save us a million gallons of gas a day, starting today. It's a tire gauge!"

Rebecca says: I didn't plan on creating a whole tip just for tire pressure. It's usually a one-liner. The stats, however, are astounding. This is one of the many things that we can do that is so easy - yet so many people just don't do it. Err…once a month? Guilty! If it was education that was lacking, hopefully this will cover it. If it was motivation, well, hopefully we took care of that, too! Let's see how much you've learned! Take the RMA's Tire Pressure Quiz!