Give Your Tires The Care They Deserve

Almost 260,000 vehicular accidents every year are associated with low tire pressure. This just shows that tires should definitely not be taken for granted. Underinflation, or low amount of air in your tires, can cause accidents especially when you’re driving at highway speed. Your tires, which take much of the beating as you drive, should be given the care that they deserve. Here are some things you should remember about checking your tire pressure.

First, there is a right time to check. Don’t just check when you remember to do so. The common practice is to check while you’re filling up, which will definitely not provide a reliable reading. The right time to check is when your tires are cold. According to Toyo Tires, cars should be checked “before they have run a mile. If you must drive over a mile for air, measure and record the under-inflation amount of each tire (before you drive).” Driving causes the air in your tires to expand, so you will probably get a higher reading when you check after you drive. You should still check the pressure again after driving. If the pressure indeed increased, you also have to adjust the amount of additional air pressure needed. Next, according to Goodyear’s chief engineer of advanced product design, Bill Egan, if you’re about to go on a long trip, or you’re about to carry a lot of extra cargo, you need to check the tire pressure. There is also a need to add additional air under these circumstances due to the added weight. The recommended additional air is 4 psi over the manufacturer-recommended tire pressure. Also, you need to check your tires at least once a month, since all tires usually leak over time.

Second, there is no need to guess about the correct inflation pressure, because the manufacturer-recommended tire pressures are listed in the manual and is also indicated on the car itself. The recommendations differ according to the vehicle in question. Most passenger vehicles, minivans and pick-ups, the recommended tire pressure are usually between 27 and 32 psi. For SUV’s, the recommended tire pressure can be higher because of the larger tire sizes and heavier weight of the vehicle.

Third, don’t forget that your car and your tires are subject to external factors. The pressure inside your tires is also affected by external temperature. When the weather is hot, the air pressure inside your tires also increases. Cold weather, on the other hand, lowers tire pressure. Thus, make sure that temperature changes will prod you to adjust your tire pressure accordingly.

Fourth, make sure not to rely on any tire gauge available. Use an accurate tire gauge when you check your tires. The equipments in gas stations can also be quite unreliable.

In gauging your tire pressure, there are some things that you should always remember. The manufacturer-recommended tire pressure may not necessarily be the most favorable pressure for your tires. The manufacturer’s recommendations are usually based on the best tire pressure only for all-around driving, and do not take into consideration any special driving situations. You can adjust tire pressure according to your needs. You may also choose to add a couple of additional pressure to improve fuel economy, if this is a factor for you. Just make sure not to exceed the maximum pressure that can be handled by your tire. The maximum pressure is listed on the tire’s sidewall. Take note, however, that doing so may have compromise the overall driving performance. And finally, remember that the best gauge is still the driving experience.