Have you been making more trips to the gas station every month? Do you notice that your car isn’t taking turns as crisply as it once did? Maybe you even notice that your tires squeal every time you need to take a sharp turn. If so, you may have under-inflated tires. If this is the case, it’s time for you to learn exactly why you should keep your car tires inflated.

Properly inflated tires aren’t just a luxury. They are necessary for safe driving. If you don’t inflate your cars to their proper levels, you greatly increase your chances for an accident. That’s because tires are more likely to suddenly go flat if you don’t inflate them to their proper air pressure.

And that’s just one reason why you need to keep your car tires inflated at all times. Keeping them inflated also saves you money, and leaves you with a car that simply performs and handles better.

You should not consider keeping your tires filled to be a major chore. Many gas stations still allow you to fill your tires at no charge. Even those that do charge, usually levy fees that total no more than $1 to $5 for the average car. Filling tires doesn’t take long, either; you can usually fill all four tires in less than 10 minutes.

So why do so many motorists drive with tires that are severely under-inflated? Maybe they don’t understand the true benefits of keeping their tires filled to the proper level of pressure.

For instance, there’s gas mileage. In today’s dismal economy, consumers are looking to save money however they can. One way to do this is to spend less time at the gas pump. You can do this by keeping your car’s tires properly filled. It’s true: Cars get fewer miles-to-the-gallon when their tires are under-inflated. When they are filled properly, though? Their mileage dramatically improves.

Properly filled tires also result in a car that handles better. When your tires are full, you’ll better be able to navigate quick, sharp turns. You won’t hear the annoying sounds of tires squealing on the pavement as you negotiate a quick turn. In short, your ride will be far more enjoyable.

Don’t ignore your tires. When you don’t inflate your tires to their proper levels, not only do you put yourself at risk of a flat tire, you’ll also spend more time pumping gas into your car’s tank.