What should my cars tyre pressure be?
The tyre pressure measures how much air is in the tyre. When the tyres are properly inflated with the right amount of air, it can make driving your car pleasant and easy. We’ve created the following guide at Bob Davies Car Sales to answer common questions about tyre pressure.
Why Is Tyre Pressure Important?
Tyre pressure is important because it enables your car to drive and function as intended. Your vehicle will have better fuel economy and safer driving with the correct tyre pressure.
What’s the Recommended Tyre Pressure for My Car?
When it comes to finding the right tyre pressure for your car, it can depend on the make and model. You can find the tyre pressure that’s recommended for your vehicle in the following places:
In the vehicle handbook
On the inside of the fuel tank flap
In the sill of the driver’s side door
In some cases, the car manufacturer might have different recommended tyre pressures for the front and rear tyres, so be sure to check if this is the case.
Can I Check My Car’s Tyre Pressure Myself?
Yes, you can check the tyre pressure yourself. You’ll need a tyre pressure gauge that uses the same measurement as the pressure guidelines for your car.
Place the pressure gauge onto the tyre valve stem after removing the valve dust cap from the tyre valve.
To acquire an accurate reading, press down evenly on the valve stem with the gauge.
Determine whether you need to deflate or inflate your tyres by checking the pressure gauge reading.
If your tyres need to be inflated, use a suitable pump and add tiny amounts of air at a time to avoid over-inflation.
If your tyres need to be deflated, push on the metal pin on the valve stem with the tip of a flat-head screwdriver to release air.
Between inflating and deflating, take regular pressure measurements with the pressure gauge.
Is It Risky if My Car’s Tyre Pressure Is Incorrect?
Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the safety of your vehicle. If your car’s tyres are overinflated, then the tyre’s surface area will have less contact with the road. Because of this, you may find the braking time to be shorter than expected. Overinflated can also have a shorter lifespan as there will be heavy and uneven wear across the tyre.
When it comes to underinflated tyres, you’ll experience more resistance while driving as there will be more of the tyre’s surface area in contact with the road. This can result in reduced fuel as well as an increase in braking time.
How Often Should I Check My Car’s Tyre Pressure?
You should check the tyre pressure when the tyres are cold as the pressure inside the tyres can increase when they’re hot.
Because the tyres will naturally deflate over time, checking the tyre pressure at least once a month is important.
Now that you know how to check the tyre pressure for your vehicle, you are on your way to extending the lifespan of your tyres and the overall condition of your vehicle.