Cold Temperatures Keeping Mechanics Busy

By Michelle Durham

AMBLER, Pa. (CBS) - This cold snap is taking a toll on everyone and everything in it's path, including your tires. One local expert says you better keep an eye on the tire pressure in this weather.

Manager of Ridge Auto and Tire Center in Ambler, Bob Cox says he's been busy.

"I've been inundated with not only phone calls and just kind of drop-bys with the tire pressure monitor light on, which most people view as a nuisance and they are curious as to why the light is on now. And there is a very good reason -- especially 10 degrees, single digits at night and only reaching the mid 20's during the day."

That's because your tires lose about a pound of air for every 10 degree drop in temperature. And to make matters worse, when motorists go to a local convenience store to put air in the tires, the machines are frozen, "because those compressors are probably freezing up."

Cox recommends you buy your own tire pressure gauge so you always know when you need air.