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Properly inflated tires are essential for a safe drive. This is the only part of your vehicle that has direct contact with the road. Here are 6 facts about tire pressure for your peace of mind.
- Why Is Tire Pressure Important?
Correct tire pressure is important for tire maintenance. When you follow the recommended tire pressure from your manufacturer, you’re one step closer to minimizing the fast wear and tear of your vehicle tires.
When your tires are properly inflated, you will have maximum performance and have better control of your car.
- How Will I Know the Correct Tire Pressure for My Vehicle?
One of the ways to know the correct tire pressure is to look at your owner’s manual. The air inside your tires is measure in PSI (pounds per square inch), and the most common psi range is from 30-35.
There are 3 pressure gauges you can use to find out the tire pressure.
- Pen-type pressure gauges
- Dial pressure gauges
- Digital pressure gauges
When you check your tire, make sure it’s “cold”. You either do this before you drive your car, or wait for about 2 hours or more after you’ve driven your car. Check your tire pressure once a month or before any lengthy travels.
- What Should I Do to Maintain the Correct Tire Pressure?
The first thing you should do to maintain proper tire pressure is to regularly check it. Some people do a quick check every time they get their gas-filled up. If that sounds a bit extreme for you, you can check it at least once a month.
When you notice that the PSI level on your tire is over the recommended range, then let out some air until you reach the proper range. If your tires lack air, visit your nearest gas station to use their pump.
- What Happens When I Drive with A Poorly Inflated Tire?
Poorly inflated tires do not only mean underinflated, but this also covers overinflated tires. What happens when you drive with poorly inflated tires is that you don’t have good control when maneuvering and that you’re more likely to waste fuel.
Poorly inflated tires are the number cause of tire failures and blowouts. Blowouts happen when tires overheat caused by increased friction of an underinflated tire with the road.
Overinflated tires can also cause a lot of damage. Aside from experiencing an unpleasant ride from feeling all the humps and bumps from uneven roads, you’ll also have a hard time maneuvering the vehicle with a hard and stiff tire.
- Should I Consider Weather Condition for My Tire Pressure?
Have you ever wondered why you suddenly find yourself with low tire pressure during colder temperatures? This is because the air molecules tend to move slower and clump together. When the temperature rises, the air molecules tend to move faster and away from each other.
Some would say that when it’s cold outside, you should inflate your tires automatically, others would say to let it be. The only thing that you should follow is what your owner’s manual says about the recommended psi for your tire. If you’re not sure, visit your mechanic and have them inspect your tire air pressure.
- Should I Just Rely on Tire Pressure Sensors?
A TPMS (tire-pressure monitoring system) is a device that continuously monitors tire air pressures and warns you when the pressure is dangerously low. TPMS are present in 2008 vehicle models or newer.
The TPMS warning sign only gets triggered when the psi drops down to 25 which is way below the manufacturer’s recommended psi requirement. This is why you shouldn’t rely on tire pressure sensors as an alternative for regular tire pressure check-ups. If the warning light is on, you’re in serious trouble.
Key Take-Away
Tire issues shouldn’t be ignored. The key to proper tire air pressure is to always follow the recommended manufacturer psi range which you can see in your owner’s manual. Make sure that you do your regular tire check-ups. You can do this on your own by using any of the 3 pressure gauges or you could visit your mechanic just to be sure.