Always check your tyre pressures when your tyres are cold. This is because you won't get an accurate reading if they are still warm and you may over or under inflate them. When I say 'cold', I mean that you are just starting out on your journey or your car hasn't been driven for at least two hours.
I always check my tyre pressures at least every two weeks. Weather can have an effect on the tyres, as can different loads in the car. Having the wrong tyre pressure can also affect fuel economy too.
Nearly every garage now has a gauge located on the forecourt, to check your tyres accurately.
How do I find my Tyre Pressure?
Check your car's handbook, which will give the manufacturer's recommended PSI (PSI just means pounds per square inch and is how tyre pressure is measured). The PSI is also referred to as BAR pressure. BAR is the metric unit of atmospheric pressure equal to 14.50 pounds per square inch.Your vehicle handbook will tell you what pressure you should have in your tyres.
Often you’ll find a small sticker with the tyre pressures on too – usually inside the fuel filler flap or on the drivers’ door edge.
Pressures are given for cold tyres (ones that haven’t been driven for at least 2 hours).
There are usually two figures, one for 'normal' use and a higher figure for full loads.
If you can't find the correct tyre pressures, contact the vehicle manufacturer’s customer services team. You’ll need a note of:
The size of the tyres fitted, taken from the sidewalls.
The make, model and registration number of your vehicle.
Remove the valve cap and insert the pressure gauge
Remove the valve cap from one tyre.
Press the pressure gauge onto the valve stem until the hissing sound stops and the gauge gives a reading.
Write down the reading for the tyre.
Repeat for the other tyres.
Let air out if necessary
If tyres are over-inflated, you can let air out of them.
Inside the valve stem is a metal pin - press this with a screwdriver to let air out.
Refill with air if necessary
If any tyres are under-inflated, use an air-compressor to refill them.
Press the air compressor hose onto the valve stem and fill until the right PSI (as per your car’s manufacturer) is shown on the gauge.
What happens if I drive with the wrong tyre pressure?
It could be dangerous to drive with the wrong tyre pressure as it can affect stopping distances and make a blow-out more likely.
Under or over inflation increases tyre wear out quickly, so you’ll have to buy new tyres more often.
Dangers of under-inflated tyres
Tyres will flex more and get hotter, making sudden tyre failure (blowouts) more likely.
Under inflated tyres will increase stopping distances and affect your vehicle’s handling, making collisions more likely.
Tyres will wear more on the edges of the tread.
Your tyre’s rolling resistance will increase, which means higher fuel consumption.
Low or uneven tyre pressure can also cause steering problems.
Dangers or over-inflated tyres
Tyres will wear more in the centre of the tread.
Less contact area with the road which can cause a loss of traction.
Increased stopping distances.
Higher pressures can mean a harsher more uncomfortable ride, but don’t be tempted to reduce pressures for a softer ride.
Other important things to check with Tyres!
Take a bit of time to check the tread for wear and also to look for cuts, or bulges on the sidewalls.
Get any cut you find checked out by a tyre specialist.
A bulge means the tyre’s got internal damage and must be replaced.
Get your tyres checked BEFORE an MOT otherwise your car will probably fail!
Comments