Do you know what the optimal Tyre pressure is for your car? A recent study found that nearly four in ten UK motorists (37%) don’t know how to check their tyre pressure correctly, and a third of drivers (33%) don’t know what the optimal tyre pressure is for their vehicle.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide which covers everything you need to know about tyre pressure, from how to check your tyres correctly to top tips on maintaining optimal tyre pressure levels.
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What Is Tyre Pressure and Why Is It Important?
Tyre pressure is simply the amount of air that’s inside each of your car tyres. It’s measured in either pound per square inch (PSI) or BAR, and you’ll find the recommended tyre pressure for your car either in your car handbook. On a sticker inside your fuel door, or the sidewall of your Tyres Online Manchester themselves.
The importance of good tyre pressure is a lot. Firstly, it helps to keep you safe on the road by ensuring that your tyres can grip the surface properly and provide good braking ability. Secondly, it can help to improve your fuel economy as under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance. Which in turn uses more fuel. Finally, correctly inflated tyres also help to prolong their life expectancy.
How to Check Your Tyre Pressure
It’s important to check your Tyres pressure regularly. As even a small decrease can have an impact on your safety, fuel economy and tyre lifespan. There are two ways to do this – either by using a tyre pressure gauge (which you can buy from most petrol stations or Halfords for around £5) or by visiting an air pump station.
To check your tyre pressure using a pressure gauge, simply remove the valve cap from your tyres and attach the gauge. The reading will appear in one of two units of measurement – PSI or BAR. Once you have the reading, compare it to the manufacturer’s recommendations too. See if your tyres are under-inflated, over-inflated or at the correct pressure.
If you’re visiting an air pump station, you’ll need to know the recommended tyre pressure for your car so that you can inflate your tyres to the correct level. This can be usually found in your car handbook, or on a sticker inside your fuel door. Or on the sidewall of your tyres themselves.
It’s important to remember that you should check your tyre pressure when your tyres are cold, as this will give you the most accurate reading. If you’ve just driven a long journey or your tyres have been in direct sunlight. Wait for around 30 minutes before checking the pressure as the heat will cause the readings to be inaccurate.
How to properly maintain your tyres to extend their useful lives.
The vast majority of motorists don’t pay their tyres a lot of consideration. This is unless there is a hole in their tyres. Or if they are getting close to the time of the MOT for their automobile, which is when the tread can all of a once become a problem. Taking care of your tyres, however, does not need a significant amount of expertise or work on your part. This might significantly add years to their longevity.
Here are a few simple and efficient suggestions and strategies.
- Before getting into the vehicle for every trip, make it a habit to give your tyres a thorough visual inspection.
- Each week, do an examination that is closer and more comprehensive. You’ll be able to inspect the interior of the front wheels if you give the steering wheel a strong turn in either direction, first in one direction and then in the other.
- Take it easy behind the wheel. Your tyres will have a shorter lifespan as a result of aggressive stopping and cornering that is too easy and “kerbs” the wheels.
- When you park, help ensure the wheels are level and upright to prevent putting extra pressure on certain areas of the tyres.
- It is best to steer clear of parking spots that are in the sun’s path. Rubber is prone to deteriorate and dry up when UV rays are present. Because of this, it may become more susceptible to breaking and cracking as a result.
- It is important to rotate your tyres on a routine basis, not only when you are replacing one. Your local garage or tyre fitter should be able to provide you with the manufacturer-recommended service intervals for your vehicle. On average, though, this occurs once every half a year.
- Keep tyres in the appropriate storage racks. In a cool, dark place where the air can circulate and the pressure is uniform. Many equip their vehicles with winter tyres in the fall and then remove them in the springtime. How you maintain the tyres, especially during the hotter seasons, might affect how long they last.
How to Inflate Your Tyres
To inflate your tyres use a tyre inflator. Simply attach the inflation nozzle to the valve and switch on the power. The machine will automatically stop when it reaches the correct pressure. Once inflated, remove the nozzle and replace the valve cap.
If you’re visiting an air pump station, there are usually two types of machines – those that take coins and those that require a card. It’s important to check which type of machine you’re using before you start. As you don’t want to get halfway through the inflation process only to realise that you don’t have the correct type of payment!
Once you’ve inserted your coins or card. Attach the inflation nozzle to the valve and wait for the machine to reach the correct pressure. Once inflated, remove the nozzle and replace the valve cap.
A comprehensive tyre checkup and tyre inspections at the mechanic twice or three times annually are essential for checking out automobiles that see seldom usage. Even small travels on a routine basis are good for automobiles that only see occasional usage. This is a smart move for a variety of pragmatic reasons. It includes the following: When the vehicle is moving, however, the tyres will expel the waxy anti-ageing compound that they contain. This contributes to the extension of their service life
Top Tips for Maintaining Optimal Tyre Pressure
– – Regularly check your tyre pressure, ideally once each month.
– Make sure you check your tyres when they’re cold for the most accurate readings
– Use a tyre pressure gauge or visit an air pump station to inflate your tyres
– Use the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure as a guide
– Check your car handbook, fuel door or tyre sidewall for the recommended tyre pressure
– If you’re using a tyre inflator, make sure you know when to stop so that you don’t over-inflate your tyres
– If you’re visiting an air pump station, check which type of machine it is before you start (coin or card)
Conclusion
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is important for several reasons, including safety, fuel economy and tyre lifespan. There are two ways to check your tyre pressure – either by using a tyre pressure gauge or by visiting an air pump station. It’s important to remember to check your tyres when they’re cold for the most accurate readings. You can inflate your Tyres Stockport using a tyre inflator or by visiting an air pump station.
Use the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure as a guide. And check your car handbook, fuel door or tyre sidewall for the recommended pressures. Finally, if you’re using a tyre inflator, make sure you know when to stop so that you don’t over-inflate your tyres.
